Albion Was Untroubled

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31346, 17 April 1967, Page 16

Albion Was Untroubled

ALBION 18: G. Barrett, P. Sands, J. Newlove tries; Barrett three penalties. SYDENHAM 6: A. Howard try and penalty. Albion had little difficulty in accounting for Sydenham in the first senior Rugby game to be played at Middleton Park, headquarters of the Albion club. The spectators had little to enthuse over in the first spell as both sides played loosely. The game failed to get moving and penalties were rife, particularly for scrummaging infringements. When the ball was won cleanly the inside-backs preferred to kick.

G. Barrett, deputising at fullback for the injured A. Harrison, landed three good penalties which gave Albion a handy lead at half-time. Albion was quickly on to attack in the second spell and twice it nearly scored as the Sydenham defence cracked badly. The Albion pack continued to hold the upper hand for the greater part of this spell. The forwards drove through effectively in many short-passing movements and linked up well with their speedy backs, who moved into top gear, with many scintillating movements. D. Condon, at first five-eighth, looked an accomplished footballer. He handled well and did much useful work on cover defence. W. Flewellyn also showed good early season form. His passes were swift and accurate and he varied his play L. Scott, at number two in the line-out, gained a lot of clean ball for Albion and was often prominent in general play. P. Sands covered and linked up well with his backs and was rewarded with a good try. The Sydenham pack was disappointing; rarely did It play as a unit. The occasional isolated burst by one or two forwards was easily countered by Albion. B. Hill played soundly while A. Howard and J. Tucker toiled hard. T. Bradbury was the pick of the Sydenham backs. He received little protection but came through a trying day with honours. Referee: Mr G. J. Bolton.