Old Boys Win Tough Game

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

Old Boys Win Tough Game

OLD BOYS IS: A. G. Steel a try; M. J. Miliar, four penalty goals. MERIVALK-PAPANUI 6: M. Culhane, two penalty goals. Although the final score was roughly what was expected, it was not a true reflection of the respective merits of the two teams. Most of the game was played between the two twentyfive lines, with tough, and occasionally toirid, forward skirmishes.

The Old Boys’ backline, on paper, superior to the Meri-vale-Papanui backs, showeu little dash and on occasions in the second half appeared overshadowed by the opposition.

Steel moved from his wing into the Old Boys' backline several times but poor handling and passing failed to produce and effective overlap. The running tended to be across field and was rarely Incisive until the last quarter of the game when both teams chose to throw the ball about.

The one really bright movement came early in the second half. From a line-out between half-way and the Merivale-Papa-nui twenty-five, M. Gregg cut through the defence and passed to A. Steel, who sprinted clear to score the only try of the match.

Unfortunately this was one of the very few good moments in the match. The others came in the last 15 minutes of the second half when the MerivalePapanui forwards, notably R. Brittenden, made several determined bids.

Both packs of forwards played very well with Merivale-Papanui appearing slightly superior. Referee: Mr J. D. McKeown.