Lincoln Fitter And More Determined

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31725, 8 July 1968, Page 14

Lincoln Fitter And More Determined

LINCOLN COLLEGE 21: B. Martin (2), P. Le Lievre, M. Goddard tries; L. Karatau. a dropped goal; S. Murray, three conversions. UNIVERSITY B 3: T. O'Connor, a penalty. Superior both back and forward. Lincoln College had little difficulty in beating University B at Ham. Both teams used the backs as the main attacking force and an attractive, fastmoving game resulted. The difference lay in the greater fitness and determination of Lincoln College. In the first spell Lincoln College played with great dash. The forwards were quick to the loose ball and the backs handled and ran with rare zest The first try was scored after 20 minutes when the centre, B. Martin, cut through in masterful fashion and when two more tries came almost immediately University B appeared in danger of being overwhelmed. However, Lincoln College's game slipped a little, the de fence tightened and although it never looked likely to win University B thereafter lost little in comparison.

Throughout the match the Lincoln College forwards had the edge on the University B pack, which looked rather lethargic. They controlled the lineouts through good work by D. Watts and W. Barclay and gave the backs plentiful posses sion from the rucks. In the loose they hunted with resolution and here none was better than G. Rennie.

Well served by Karatau and Goddard the backs were incisive and purposeful. The strong running Martin was a

constant danger, while C. Bargh kept the elusive University second-five-eighths, L. Jones, well in check.

The University B backs did not have the same opportunities as Lincoln College but to their credit never adopted a defensive approach. The first five-eighths, S. Bowater, im proved as the game progressed and G. Wallis at centre made some fine crashing runs. R. Green and L. O’Reilly were the best of the forwards.

In a season of such mediocre and defensive play, it was most refreshing to see two teams scorn the use of the touch line and pin their faith on attacking back play. Referee: Mr A. F. Gurnsey.

Old Boys In Easy Win HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS 18: V. Bishop (two), M. Brown and M. Miller tries; Miller, three conversions. MARIST 9: B. McAlister, three penalty goals. For the first time this season the full potential of the talented Old Boys backline was realised, and as a result a disappointing Marist team was decisively beaten. Throughout the match, the vigorous Marist forwards won plenty of possession, particularly from loose rucks. However, bad handling and lack of penetration, particularly by the inside backs, meant that much of this hard won ball was wasted. The Old Boys backs were particularly adept at linking up with the loose forwards and in this type of play the No. 8, G. Glackin, was often outstanding. However, when the ball was moved along the backline the appearance of the full-back, R. Grenfell, often created an overlap, and as a result the strongrunning wing. Bishop, was able to score two tries.

The Marist full-back, McAlister, had an outstanding game. His positional play and line-kicking in particular, were of a high order. In the forwards J. Walsh jumped high in the line-outs and K. Cowan was effective in loose play. Miller and D- Dailey were the pick of the Old Boys forwards, and the first five-eighths, T. Mehrtens, was the outstanding back on the field, looking dangerous whenever he ran with the ball. Referee: Mr J. D. McKeown. INJURED (N.Z. Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH. The All Black five-eighths, P. A. Johns, suffered a broken shoulder playing in a club match on Saturday. Johns, a former Wanganui representative, toured Australia with this year’s All Black team.