Linwood Holds On To Lead

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31663, 26 April 1968, Page 15

Linwood Holds On To Lead

Linwood, last year’s champion Rugby team, creaked to a narrow victory over the lowly-rated Marist, 20-15, at Rugby Park yesterday.

About 1500 watched the game, which was played on a surprisingly firm surface but was affected by the strong southerly which blew down the field.

For Linwood, R. Cocks, G Boot and R. J. Woolhouse scored tries and W. F. McCormick kicked three penalties and a conversion. P. Costello scored a try, and B. McAlister kicked three penalties and P. Robertson a dropped goal for Marist. Playing with the wind in; the first half, Linwood had a lead of 17-3 at half-time, and it was just sufficient to keep out an eager Marist side in the last five minutes. Coped With Conditions Linwood showed a greater appreciation of the tactical needs to cope with the boisterous wind. In the first half it used lengthy kicks which drifted with the wind and caused some embarrassment to the Marist defence. Against the wind, it passed rather than kicked. Marist seemed to have no real idea of what exactly it was going to do. In the vital first 10 minutes after half time, when it was imperative that it reduced Linwood's 17-3 lead, there was no set policy of either kicking to gain ground or attacking through the backs. The result was that Linwood scored an important three points in that time and went to a 20-3 lead. However, it was not a very satisfying performance by the champion team. Once again

■ there was confusion in the mid-field attack, and it was left to Boot, a very determined runner at first five eighths, to provide the thrust in broken play. McCormick’s Value The Linwood pack broke even with Marist much of the •game, but in the last 10 ; minutes it could not cope with the determined driving of the Marist forwards. McCormick kicked extre mely well in the difficult wind and his 11 points meant much to Linwood. His linekicking against the wind was often inaccurate, but his fielding of the ball was superb. ; Cocks and Woolhouse were determined wings but had few opportunities. Boot, while not providing much play for his outside men, was the most aggressive back on the field J. F Burns made some magnificent takes for Marist in the line-out, but playing at prop blunted his effectiveness in the loose. A. Wilson was an eager leader of the pack and Bruce Ramsay a robust lock. The Marist backs were not particularly impressive: they lacked confidence and too often dithered when a determined kick ahead might have brought some result. Costello, the right wing, was extremely fast and his try was the result of good following up If he had not scored there must have been a penalty try. for he was badly obstructed by McCormick as he chased the ball over the line. C. Frank was a competent half-back and B. McAlister played exceptionally well when facing the wind. His fielding and clearing kicks in the first half showed him as i a full-back of some promise. Referee: Mr K. N. Orsbourn