Suburbs Forwards Quell Lincoln College

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31985, 12 May 1969, Page 20

Suburbs Forwards Quell Lincoln College

SUBURBS 11: N. Winsloe a try: P Carlsen a dropped goal: W. Paulin a penalty goal and conversion.

LINCOLN COLLEGE 9: S. M. C. Murray three penalty goals. After being down 6-3 at halftime. Suburbs struck back strongly to have the better of a vigouously-fought second a pell.

The quality of Rugby from two such highly-rated teams was not always what might have been expected, but the closeness of the struggle and the intensity of purpose kept spectator interest high

Suburbs signalled its intent'on with a 10-minute seige to the Lincrln goal-line soon after half-time. The defence during this period was equal to the attack. but at no stage again did Lincoln look as confident as it had during the first half. Penalties were a frequent interruption. as were injury breaks. Lincoln was unfortunate to lose two of its key men —L. J. Dowling and Murraythrough Injuries. Players occosionally injected more vigour in the match than was really necessary, but it was never prolonged Some tackles, however, were late enough. As was eipected. the highly mobile Suburbs forwards set problems for the Lincoln backs cut even allowing for this con s'.ant harrassment the Lincoln line did not function with its usual potency. The fault lay in mid-field, with inexplicably bad passing and handling the main pauses. The taller Lincoln forwards controlled the line-outs, and it! was only the astute kicking by first five-eighths. M. A. Goddard that prevented the consequentadvantage in possession from being completely wasted. Goddard. whether cross-kicking or employing the up-and-under. was seldom off the target. The points might have come from its backs but the heroes of Suburbs’s win were the forwards. Whether attacking or defending they operated as a unit, and their speed to the rucks was equalled by their, dedication in securing the ball' on arrival. The fact that only one try was scored is proof of the de-i fensive qualities of both sides. I though the try was a bad lapse: —the scorer brushing past three Lincoln defenders on his way to the line Suburbs, sensibly, planned its) game round its forwards, with the backs filling only a complementary role. It was a good tactic and on the day worked ad mirably. but the little that was seen of the Suburbs line on attack suggested it might be entitled to more faith than it was accorded. For Suburbs. W. Paulin was a tower of strength at full-back He displayed fine anticipation in positioning himself to take kicks and gained large slices of ground from his own boot. Cottrell and Carlsen gave the Suburbs back-line thrust and the wings. A. Marriott and W Moore brought off some copybook tackles. L. J. Davis, at half-back, made several breaks from the base of the scrum, one a 40yd

run that narrowly missed bringing a try. His general play was sound, though one or two of his ’ passes were misdirected. i Murray, until he left the field ’ late in the second half, gave I good service at full-back for Lincoln, while on the wings I the Moore brothers displayed ; their usual keenness in seeking : opportunities. It was a shame 1 they did not get more. 't Goddard lost little in com 1 parison with Cottrell, and L.' c Karatau possibly provided a l better service than his opposite, Davis. t

L. Scherp secured much clean ball for Lincoln in the line-outs, while no forward toiled harder In the tight than A. McLellan W. Lee was conspicious among the loose forwards. Singling out members of the Suburbs pack is more difficult, as each of ‘the eight at some stage made worth while contribution to the team’s success. V. Baker, for his vigour in the loose, and S. Cron from his fine covering, are possibly entitled to special mention. Referee: Mr A. G. Duckman- ' ton.