POOR GAME

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31375, 22 May 1967, Page 14

POOR GAME

BELFAST 12: R. Inwood four penalty goals. MARIST 9: I. Mene a try and a penalty goal; P. Robertson a dropped goal. Those who advocate a reduced number of teams in the senior competition would have gained plenty of ammunition from this match to support the claim. The standard of Rugby was mediocre and there was so much playing the man in the second half that at one stage sections of the crowd were clamouring for an ordering-off to end the petty skirmishing. A good solo try by Mene in the last minute failed to wash away the sour memories.

The game between these two improving sides promised much, but produced hardly anything of value. After Marist had drawn level at six-all in the fifty-first minute, the standard gradually deteriorated and the game finished as a bumbling, scrambling mess, interspersed with flashes of ill temper.

On two occasions Marist forwards were cautioned by the referee and five minutes from the end the Belfast hooker, G. Lange, received a right hook to the temple, which dazed him for about half a minute. Both sides were guilty of misdirected kicking, much of it completely aimless. Belfast handled poorly, Marlst’s high tackling did the side no credit, and both teams contributed to the game’s many illegalities, which brought 29 penalties. The one redeeming feature of the match was the good play—and demeanour—of Inwood. Belfast’s captain. His accurate goal-kicking apart, he was a thorough trier who played Rugby for the full 80 minutes. It was a pity his example was not followed. Referee: Mr G. E. Albertson.