College Team In Best Form

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31755, 12 August 1968, Page 16

College Team In Best Form

NEW BRIGHTON 14: R. Pierce a try: D. Beardsley a dropped goal: B. Hobson a conversion and two penalty goals. LINCOLN COLLEGE 11: R. Moore and L. Karatau, tries: S. C. Murray a penalty goal; B. Martin a conversion. Although this match followed the usual pattern in New Brighton games—in one more minute, there would again have been 100 line-outs—it was one of the most attractive of the season. New Brighton made a good effort to run the bal, but most of the credit for th© flow of the game belonged to Lincoln College. New Brighton put the ball out •3 times to Lincoln’s 35, and that about measured the teams’ response to the invitation of a fine day. a firm ground, and a match with nothing depending on the result. By its own cautious standards. ’ New Brighton played with almost reckless abandon: but the cards were still held fairly close to the chest.

Lincoln College scored two tries to one. looked the better team in the last 20 minutes, and did not deserve to lose. -Its forwards, giving away much in height and weight, surpassed themselves and the backs ran with eager purpose whenever they had the slightest chance. So although there were so many line-outs, more than 40 scrums, and 24 penalties, it was a highly attractive game.

New Brighton played better In the first half than the second. Power in the rucks gave the backs some chances, and it wa« a delightfully swift change nf direction in an attack which sent Pierce over for his try. The magnificent line-kicking of 1., H. Penrose meant much ’o New Brightn and it seemed that the championship winner would win easily, for the Lincoln College backs for some time were hampered by the lack of protection for the’ half-back, L. Karatau.

But just before the interval a clever kick by J. G. Brown sent R. Moore in for a fine try. so that Lincoln was down only 8-6 at half-time.

In the second spell play moved swiftly, both packs thrilling the sadly small crowd with powerful short-passing movements, and Lincoln’s backs beginning to run with confidence. Karatau. gathering in a chargeddown kick cleverly, flew in for a fine try which Martin converted. and it was 11-all.

Lincoln College had New Brighton badly rattled for about 15 minutes, but sustained pressure failed to bring any more points. And in the last minute, when play went to Lincoln's end and again, C. Smith missed with a dron-kick from in front, but Beardsley, seconds later, put one over.

G. Tanner showed out when the ball was loose. E. Leask had another good game, and Penrose always seemed to be at hand when needed. L. Dickson gave a spectacularlv good service, and those outside him Pn more often than usual, but effect.

In the Lincoln College backs, only occasionally with much R. Moore was particularly strong. and Brown slipped through tackles and past defenders on several occasions He kicked particularly well, but h*» still has a tendency to go just a yard or two too far after beating his man. D. M.

Cross, J. G. Dickie. A. McLellan and G. P. Rennie were perhaps the best of a pack which gave an exceptionally good account of itself. Referee: Mr A. G. Duckmanton.