DULLEST MATCH

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31725, 8 July 1968, Page 20

DULLEST MATCH

Lions Not Impressive (N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) KIMBERLEY. The British Lions beat Griqualand West, 11-3, on Saturday in the dullest match of their Rugby tour so far — a game of missed penalties, muddled chances and static mid-field play. The game was nondescript, lacking the drama all the Lions previous 13 matches have produced. The Lions had easily the best of play territorially and won most of the line-outs, but their forwards often were stopped dead by the strong Griqualand defence. The tourists’ backs rarely got going. The halfbacks, M. Gibson and G. Edwards, combined brilliantly in sporadic scissors movements, but their efforts lacked finish. Basically, it was a match of attrition, overlaid with lethargy. One feature of the match was the large number of penalties, and the inability of the Lions skipper, T. J. Kiernan, and the Griqualand and Springbok fly-half, P. Visagie, to score from them. Edwards scored two tries, one of which was converted by K. Jarrett, and Kiernan kicked a penalty. Griqualand's points came from a penalty by Visagie.