DULL, SCRAPPY GAME TO NEW BRIGHTON

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31399, 19 June 1967, Page 16

DULL, SCRAPPY GAME TO NEW BRIGHTON

NEW BRIGHTON 23: E. Leask, J. Vakaldloma and K. Tanner, tries; G. Stanley four pen* alty goals and one conversion.

BELFAST 3: R. Pidgeon, a try. The spectators had little to enthuse over in this duU, scrappy game. New Brighton won a monopoly of the ball but persisted with its normal pattern of play. Its forwards drove through relentlessly and the half-back, Stanley, and the first five-eighths, C. Smith, preferred to gain ground by kicking. The ball reached the wings on only two occasions from orthodox passing rushes.

Belfast provided the only highlight of the game when A.

Clarke made a grand break in mid-field on the half-way line, reversed play back to his forwards and Pidgeon scored after three Belfast forwards had handled.

The heavier and experienced Brighton pack dictated play for practically the entire iqatch, keeping Belfast pinned in its own half for long periods. The representatives, I. Penrose and K. Tanner, were in good form. Penrose was never far from the ball and he initiated many forward move ments. Tanner worked hard in the tight and was often prominent at No. 3 in the line-outs. His brother, G. Tanner, also had a good match.

J. Greengrass was the pick of the Belfast pack and the back row man, G. Burney, was prominent on occasions. The New Brighton backs were disappointing, but D. Cutting played soundly at full-back. The Belfast backline rarefy functioned smoothly. * There was little co-ordination behind the scrum, and W. Haase’s passes were often slow and badly directed. Referee: Mr J. M. Laing.