Shirley Flattered By Winning Margin

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

Shirley Flattered By Winning Margin

SHIRLEY 19: C. Reid (2). G. Ormandy and R. Waters tries; D. S. Cocks two conversions and a penalty goal. MERIVALE-PAPANUI 6: W McLaughlan a try L. C. McCaughan a penalty goal.

In spite of the inspiring prej sence of McCaughan among its ranks. Merivale-Papanui found i Shirley with the breeze at its back too strong a proposition in the second half of the Rugby Park curtain-raiser. Shirley, however, did not cut a convincing figure and was dis- , tinctly flattered by the winning margin of 13 points. The Merivale-Papanui for- • wards played hard for a share ; of possession, while McCaughan’s grand play at first fiveeighths gave the team a halftime lead of 6-3, and kept its hopes alive as the second half progressed. But small lapses when on attack cost Merivale-Papanui dearly, for Shirley used the breeze to sweep play downfield and place pressure on its reI treating rival. The Shirley forwards showed a fine appreciation of technique in rucking, and the vast supply of ball they were able to win i from this source was a major ; stepping stone on their teams path to victory. The backs gained more confidence as the supply of possession increased and in the last quarter recap • tured some semblance of form. The back-row forward. Reid, was prominent in most phases of play for Shirley, while L. Adam, in the rucks, and C_ Johnstone, in the line-outs, were the most successful ballwinners. R. Gearry, with his terrier-like persistence, served his side well at half-back, while M. Wilson, the second fiveeighths. was the leading back in Shirley’s late revival. McCaughan. with his elusive running, brilliant handling, and shrewdly-placed kicks, was a towering figure in the combined side. Its showing was in no small way due to the example he set. J. Maze and B. Grant played energetically in the loose for Merivale-Papanui and T. Marshall. the centre, made some

sharp runs. The match was marred by a spate of head-high tackling. It was fortunate that no-one was injured by this crude method of defence. Referee: Mr H. Gray.