Sydney School Beats Linwood In Rugby

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31987, 14 May 1969, Page 19

Sydney School Beats Linwood In Rugby

K. O. Landell-Jones, one of Sydney’s top schoolboy sprinters, completed a sweeping back movement with a try seconds from full-time to give Cranbrook High School (Sydney) Rugby victory over Linwood High School at Linwood yesterday.

Cranbrook's 11-6 win was its second in three matches. It. will complete its tour of New Zealand with a match in Dunedin later this week. Landell-Jones scored all his team's points—two tries, a conversion and a penalty. The penalty was a fine effort and gave Cranbrook the lead at half-time but it was the two tries later that finally knocked the stuffing out of a determined Linwood. The first half was little more than a chapter of errors. Cranbrook was guilty of off-side play on several occasions and both back-lines frittered away countless scoring opportunities with bad passing and handling and cross-field running The second half was a repetition until a successful penalty by S. Weatherhead (Linwood) levelled the score. This seemed to shake the players from their lethargy and the Linwood forwards drove back with fire and vigour. Cranbrook was hard pressed to withstand the onslaught and was forced to concede a try, but LandellJones scored his tries and came within an ace of another in the closing minutes to take his team to a deserved victory. The Cranbrook backs, which had previously looked an inept bunch, suddenly be-

gan to combine with speed and efficiency to test the good Linwood defence. Its forwards were never up to Linwood’s standard but they obtained sufficient ball to satisfy the needs of a now eager backline.

Linwood’s points came from a try by E. O’Sullivan and a penalty goal by Weatherhead. Besides Landell-Jones, the Cranbrook inside back combination of A. Staphoupolous (half-back), J. Love and S. Morrow was impressive in the later stages. However, throughout the match Strap.houpoious was a model of courage. He was forced to withstand many poundings from the Linwood forwards, who repeatedly broke through the line-outs during the first half.

J. Street, the Cranbrook captain, did well in the lineouts and tried hard to instill some sting into his forwards. For most of the first spell it was difficult to see any sign of enthusiasm among them.

The Linwood backs never really impressed on attack but O’Sullivan sent out an accurate pass from the base of the scrum, and was a tough

defender. The loose forward trio roved to good effect epescially in the first spell. Referee: Mr F. B. - Campbell.