SHIRLEY MISSES OPPORTUNITIES

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

SHIRLEY MISSES OPPORTUNITIES

SYDENHAM 13: G. Hay, T. J. Bradbury tries; A. Howard two conversions and a penalty goal. SHIRLEY 9: R. M. Gearry, F. Jack tries; I. Behrnes a penalty goal. Sydenham is always hard to beat on Waltham Park, but Shirley helped it on its way by the expansive manner in which it tossed away chances in the second half. With the amount of ball its forwards won in the line-outs and scrums during this period, Shirley should have won comfortably, but too often a player ran on when a pass was called for, or else the movement was switched back to where most of the Sydenham defenders were concentrated.

Sydenham, however, won on its merits, for its forwards hunted the ball tirelessly and its backs seized opportunities quickly in broken play. On defence, too, it presented a stronger front than Shirley, and D. G. Gallop, at full-back, was an inspiration to his fellow players with his tackling and his fearless taking of the high kicks. The rucking and line-out play of the Shirley forwards was of a high order, and L. Adam set a grand example in both

fihases of the game. The Shirey forwards also raised the sides hopes with some spirited short-passing bursts, and in these C. Read, M. Toner and B. Gosney were often prominent.

The backs, however, seemed to become embarrassed by the amount of possession they were given in the second half, and although Jack ran strongly in mid-field, and G. Ormandy made one or two sharp sprints on the right wing, too many of the moves played into Sydenham’s hands.

In set play Sydenham did not look particularly effective, but it came into its own in developing attacks from loose play. Several of these were launched from deep within its own territory, and on these occasions the Shirley defence looked nonplussed. Bradbury, the centre, was most effective in these moves, scoring one try and playing a leading part in the other.

R. McKenzie, the Sydenham captain, excelled in the loose, and R. Doell, the No. 8, was in good all-round form. He marked several of Shirley’s hopeful up-and-unders near his own line, and relieved the pressure with strong kicks. Referee: Mr J. R. Milnes.