Shirley Combines Too Well For Belfast

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31973, 28 April 1969, Page 16

Shirley Combines Too Well For Belfast

SHIRLEY 25: G Ormandv (2).i . I. Griffith. G. Huston. 1. 1 Stronbam and C. Read tries: ; D. S. Cocks two conversions and a penalty. BELFAST fc: L. Cassidv a try and a penalty. ! Working tirelessly as a team, Shirley won an open, but ; scrappy senior Rugby match against Belfast at Sheldon Park. ! In contrast, Belfast lacked organisation. The score would have been much higher had Belfast not employed spoiling tactics, but Shirley’s handing was sometimes faulty. The Shirley back line was fleet-footed, decisive and adventurous: the Belfast backs were flat-footed and lacked variation on attack. Shirley's dominance in the line-outs ! coupled with quick and effici!ent service from an industrious

i scrum half. R M. Gearry, gave] 1 the Shirlev back line ample time to penetrate. In forward play, the power-. ful Shirley unit was much superior. M. Toner figured in many; upfield thrusts, which were a feature of the game. The Belfast backs did well to contain Shirlev but bad ball from line-outs and sluggish service from the scrums hindered them throughout. Of the Shirley backs. Griffith and F. Jack were elusive in mtd-field, Cocks was steady at full-back and the left wing, Ormandy. ran well. For Belfast. L. Bergham. a replacement iate in the first spell, and L. Cassidy, displayed admirable versatility. Both played for periods on the right! wing and at flanker, where they! distinguished themselves. Referee: Mr G. E. Albertson.