Adventurous Spirit Shown By Albion

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31381, 29 May 1967, Page 16

Adventurous Spirit Shown By Albion

ALBION 4: J. Newiove a try, D. Condon a dropped goal.

SUBURBS 5: V. Baker a try. K. Nicholas a conversion.

Although there were more than 90 line-outs in the main match at Rugby Park, it was an exciting and satisfying game with Condon’s goal putting Albion ahead only three minutes from the end. It was a meeting of much importance to both sides, and if Suburbs, which gave a great exhibition of forward play, was a tittle unlucky to lose, Albion probably deserved to win because it had a more adventurous spirit in its play. Suburbs began like a win. ning team but in the first 80 minutes Albion showed such bumbling incompetence that someone In the crowd suggested its members must be the Black and White Minstrels. The Suburbs pack, winning the lineouts time after time, and getting to the rucks with swift purpose, rattled Albion badly. W. Cottrell kept the ball ahead of his forwards, and In the first half of the opening spell the Suburbs pack was dominant. Two wild passes from a badly rattled W. Flewellen let Suburbs through and Baker scored his try in the first few minutes.

For the rest of the spell, Suburbs attacked steadily, and narrowly failed to score on many occasions. But before the change-over, Albion had produced one of the finest tries the ground has known. From deep inside his own twenty-five, J R. Adams took a tap penalty, beat a man, G. T. Barrett's speed widened the breach, G. Baldwin on the left wing put in a beautiful centre kick, and three more Albion players handled before Newlove took the last pass and scored in the right-hand corner.

As soon as Albion began to win possession from line-outs more often, the speed and enterprise of the backs was a constant threat to Suburbs. But In the second spell. Cottrell showed a vast distrust for the backs Outside him. He is a tine kicker, and he put in many raking touch-finders. But his side was still winning its fair share of the ball, and he wasted it, contributing heavily to a total of 50 line-outs in the second spell. It was by no means a positive approach and when Condon kicked bis goal, it was too late for a change of tactics to become effective. Suburbs played such wellcontrolled football in the first half that it looked a certain wanner. L. Davis gave a beautiful service at half-back, and when the backs ehose to take the tackle, their forwards were quick enough in the rucks to give Albion moments of desperate defence.

At full-back, K. Nicholas made no mistakes, and brought off some brilliant takes and saves. Baker was a magnificent forward, E. Mullany, after some initial set backs, won the ball regularly from the line-outs, and so did M. O'Mallev. K Stupples contributed to his side's dominance in possession by taking five tight heads. Barrett is a player of distinctive ability, and seems to lack only confidence. Outs'de him Newlove did all that was asked of him. Adams, remains one of the few players who can beat a man decisively and he 15 the Pivot of a back line which can play most attractively.

His breaks were clean and exploited by straight, hard running. After a bad start Flewellen played ably and was fully comparable with Davis in the second batt. In a pack which lacked the strength and colie. sion of Suburbs, P. Sands and K. Baker stood out. Referee: Mr F. B. Campbell.