University A’s Strong Finish

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31084, 13 June 1966, Page 16

University A’s Strong Finish

UNIVERSITY A 33: D. Wilson (two), P. Black, D. Brooker, M. Brown and B. McLean, tries; D. C. Leary, six conversions and a penalty goal. MERIVALE-PAPANUI 3: M. Culhane a penalty goal. Throughout the first spell Merivale-Papanui looked capable of holding and, indeed, defeating University A, but in the s>econd half University showed something of the power, stoll and authority typical of its football in most recent seasons. Merivaie defended stubbornly, but foundered in the swift surges of battering forward rushes staged by a University pack which controlled possession firmly. At the change-over, the score was 5-3, and MerivailePapanud had had some very good moments. But there were five more tries in the second half, and Leary’s precise goalkicking, which brought him 15 points, accentuated his side’s superiority. If the second half was too one-sided to be exciting, it was a splendid display by University. The forwards were swift to the ball, and played with purpose as well as power. There were some splendid sffortpassdng movements and excellent backing-up. No matter how resolute the defence, there was always another man to take the pass. And the backs benefited, with the ball rucked back quickly when a movement was halted. L. O’Redilly. who was injured

just before half-time, played most effectively and D. Wilson’s speed and anticipation brought him two tries, and a hand in many other effective attacks. But the whole University pack was transformed after the interval: in such form, University A couid offer Linwood a very stern struggle.

The backs were superbly controlled by B. Prestidge, at first five-eighths. His generalship was outstanding, and he varied his attack cleverly. His ability gave the players outside him countless opportunities. Beaten badly in the line-outs, the Merivale-Papanui forwards spent most of the second half pounding back on defence, but in the side’s more assertive moments J. Maze was a lively flanker, and of the backs W. McLaughtan, on the wing, showed speed and enterprise. The Merivale-Papanui tackling was quite sound, and the fullback, T. R. Marshall, set a very fine example. His handling’, tackling and kicking were firstclass. The referee was Mr J. B. Russ.