Albion’s Turn To Take A Peppering

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

Albion’s Turn To Take A Peppering

SYDENHAM 20: M. Pepper throe field goals and a conversion; W Cuff and C. King tries; D. Gallop a field goat ALBION 6: D. C. Leary two penalty goals The previous week the goals at Rugby Park and University B had taken a peppering from the Sydenham pot. On Saturday the condiment was even more extensively sprinkled over Albion. The half. Pepper, potted three goals this time, and the fullback, Gallop, also became infected with the potting obsession so that Pepper and Sydenham are becoming potting specialists. Pepper says logically that pots are worth three po'nts and it is not necessary to get to the line. He kicked six In senior Rugby last season, but has five already this season —all in two matches. Saturday's were fine efforts. For one he was comparatively clear, but the other two were snapped

from tbe mldwt of groping defenders. This was a feature at the Sydenham play; when a man was hemmed in, bo stHl did something with the ball. Bustling, pressing all the time, the Sydenham players never gave Albion the opportunity to score. There was a time early in the first half when Albion, already facing eight points, looked as if it could use its backs to swing play well, but the Impression was fleeting, and Sydenham waft 14-0 by tbe interval.

It was team play at its ben. Forwards such as C. King, K. Tucker, and the tireless captain, D McKenzie, were up to the ball quicker than their opponents, they dribbled and short-punted with skill, and they gave their backs the chances. R. Doell played the true number eight game with intelligence. appearing in the backs when he was wanted and providing the cover defence so helpful In difficult moments. The backs were all threatening, especially from broken play, and Pepper and A. Dunlop, the first five-eighths, began movements at every chance. Of the wings, G. Hay was not quite the force he had been the previous week, although he was prominent late in the game, but Cuff ran strongly. Gallop feared nothing as full-back, with a predilictlon for the mark in tight spots. Against all this Albion could not begin. The tackling failed and the backing-up lapsed. R. Smith and D. Warren played well enough in the forwards without being able to contain the bustlers. G. Woods consequently had a terrible time at half-back and the potential of those outside him could not be shown; they (Med with the ball. In addition. Leary was unable to gain the great stretches of Hite that he sometimes does, and he was occasionally out of position Referee: Mr D. M. Sampson. Surprise Victory

UNIVERSITY B 9: M. Brown and P James tries. NSW BRIGHTON 3: R. Fierce a try University B, which had not scored a point, surprised its own supporters in the early match at Rugby Park by beating the much more highly rated New Brighton. University scored Rs six points In the first half and, although New Brighton did much of the attacking in the second half, it could score only once. The University B forwards looked much better than they had the previous week, and they managed to keep the side out of serious trouble while guarding the six points. They matched redoubtable opponents such as I. Penrose and K. Tanner well.. It was a good match for halfbacks. L Dickson, playing at half for new Brighton with G. Stanley at full-back again, threw some wonderfully long passes, and M. Brown, half for University, had a fine game all round. In addition to his try on the blind side, he made some spectacular rune down the middle. In a bright second half both teams used their backs as much as possible, and R. Pierce (New Brighton) looked a particularly formidable wing. He scored one try and he made some other dishing runs, but the University defence held well. Referee: Mr F. B. Campbell. COAST WINS (N.Z Press Association) WESTPORT. West Coast beat Buller by 21 points (four tries, two penalties and two convenient) to It (four tries, one penalty add two conversions) on Saturday. The lead changed hands four times after a score-less first 25 minutes.