Marist Unlucky Not To Beat Suburbs

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31991, 19 May 1969, Page 16

Marist Unlucky Not To Beat Suburbs

MARIST 6: B. Moore a try; P. Fraher a penalty goal. SUBURBS 6: W. Moore a try; W. Paulin a penalty goal. Suburbs, the strong pre-match favourite was most fortunate to salvage half a point from this game for as well as suffering a territorial disadvantage it was inferior in the standard of Rugby. Marist led 6-3 at half-time and with a more able goal-kicker could have won by at least six points. A much-improved forward pack was responsible for Marist’s greater control of play, while the Suburbs forwards appeared to have slipped down the other side of the scale. The Suburbs pack was far removed from the finely-drilled unit that was largely responsible for the side’s defeat of Lincoln College a week earlier. The dedication in backing up and the expertise in making the most of loose play was completely gone. Also, the Suburbs forwards regularly suffered the ignominy of having to concede ground to the youthful, but volatile, Marist pack. With J. F. Burns reigning supreme by virture of some lovely two-handed takes, Marist

had a monopoly of ball from the line-outs. The ball more often than not also emerged from the Marist side of the rucks and mauls, due mainly to the fact that its forwards seemed better clued in the arts of gaining possession. Its deficiency in the possession ratio undoubtedly handicapped Suburbs but its backs looked so lacking in penetration that a larger share is unlikely to have made much difference to the balance of power. Even with all the ball it received the Marist backs made little more impression on attack than did their opposites. The fault lay in indecision and a dismaying lack of thrust from close to the scrum. Players from both sides indulged in putting the ball in the air at every opportunity, but only occasionally did it come down in an area likely to give the kicker’s side any marked advantage. The sound Eositional play of both fullacks, R. Gray (Marist) and W. Paulin, possibly contributed to this situation.

Burns, as well as being the dominating figure in the lineouts, led his associates by a fine example in all phases of forward play. What ball Burns did not win in the line-outs was often taken by V. Stewart further back in the “queue.” A newcomer to senior Rugby Stewart had a fine game. K. Cowan was the best loose forward in the game, especially in the tackling department, and P. Fraher was another Marist forward to catch the eye. P. Cron tried hard to inject some life into the Suburbs pack but his cries mostly went un-

heeded. He, however, toiled tirelessly. P. McGrath, though almost completely starved of opportunities on attack, did what was required of him at centre for Marist efficiently and on the left-wing P. Baylis tried hard to make some use of his speed. Moore’s try came after a spirited run in the opening minutes but except for throwing the ball in he was given little else to do for the rest of the match. The only other Suburbs back to make any sort of impression was Paulin, but his play too lacked the sparkle of earlier games. Referee: Mr K. G. Orsbourn.

BARBARIANS’ SECOND LOSS (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) PORT ELIZABETH. The touring British Barbarians Rugby side suffered its second defeat in a week when it was beaten, 23-11, by the South African Barbarians on Saturday. The South Africans scored

one goal, three penalty goals and three tries to the British club’s one goal, one penalty goal and one try.