Marist Has Upset Win Over Shirley

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31677, 13 May 1968, Page 17

Marist Has Upset Win Over Shirley

MARIST U: A. Wilson a try; P. Robertson a dropped goal and B. McAlister a dropped goal and a penalty goal. SHIRLEY *: C. R. Laidlaw a try; G. Gibson and M. Mene each kicked a penalty.

Marist produced a rousing display tn the second half to beat the co-leaders, Shirley. In a vigorous, hard-fought Rugby match at Lancaster Park South on Saturday Both teams made far too many mistakes for the match to be a good spectacle, but the closeness of the scores kept an excited crowd on its toes throughout. Shirley scored the first six points and Marist the next six. Just before halftime Shirley again took the load Marist was quick to equalise after tbe resumption and about 20 minutes later took the lead for the first time. Shirley had a great opportunity to again level the scores eight minutes from time, but Mene missed a falrlv easy penalty. Marist finished the game much more strongly than Shirley, which showed signs of panic in the later stages. During the first half Shirley looked to have a little In reserve and even when Marist levelled the scores at 8-all it still seemed likely that Shirley would win. However, soon after the New Zealand half-back. C. R. Laidlaw, injured his right shoulder when he was heavily tackled and be was forced to leave the field. From then on Shirley seemed to falter. There was considerable unrest between the two packs. The referee, Mr A. F. Gurnsey warned players on both sides, but still the vigorous play continued. Towards the end play in many of the rucks became extremely willing. The line-out play was poor. There was hardly a clean take all day. Even when the resulting ruck developed the ball still remained buried. The leading line-out jumpers, C. Johnstone (Shirley) and J. F. Burns (Marist) seemed more Intent on putting each other off than making a constructive attempt to catch the ball.

To its credit, Shirley attempted to run the ball and did make some good breaks, but the moves lacked finish. Laidlaw looked a dangerous runner and

authough bustled badly at times in the first half gave I. Griffith at first five-eighths a good service. Griffith made one or two good breaks in the first half and ran straight, but he was well covered in the second. The Shirley second fiveeighths, M. Wilson, cleared well on occasions and ran with some determination, and D. Cope at centre had few opportunities, but looked dangerous. E. Veal led a good Shirley pack well. He received good support from Johnstone and M. Toner. Little was seen of the Marist backs. The full-back, McAllister, kicked a magnificent 35yard dropped goal against the wind and cleared well. Robertson, at fly-half, was steady as usual, but saved Shirley some embarrassing moments late in the game when some, of his high kicks went into the deed-ball area. K. Mlles, on the leftwing, made a couple of determined bursts. The Marist pack worked well together in the tight, where 0. Stopforth and Burns stood out K. Cowan was a lively flanker until he went off with a cut near hie right eye.