Late Scoring Burst By University A

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32281, 27 April 1970, Page 20

Late Scoring Burst By University A

UNIVERSITY A 27: M. Taylor. L. North (two), G. Sinclair, P. Paul and H. Missen tries; W. Lewis three conversions and a penalty goal. SYDENHAM S: A. Massie try; M. Pepper conversion. Sixteen points in the last 15 minutes enabled University A to come out of this match with far more credit than had earlier looked likely. Sydenham, with luck not always on its side, narrowly missed scoring a number of times in the first spell and the 6-0 lead University enjoyed at half-time was a dismal return 1 considering the amount of good [ ball it had at its disposal. Sydenham’s strength lay in a 1 forward pack which, although a little loose, chased the ball hard in broken play and was quick 1 to seize on any opportunities. It was only in the dying ’ stages that the University back- > line was able to break free from the shackles imposed by ' the Sydenham style of play, and once functioning smoothly \ it ■ had more than enough pace and ’ skill to carve through the Sydenham defence. For the most part the Sydenham backs worked in well with ' their forwards to quell Uni- ‘ versity attacking movements before they could gain momen- : turn. However, the search-and-destroy tactics adopted by Sydenham could not altogether excuse the lack of imagination of University. Often the University forwards were too slow in feeding the ball back to their backs and when the ball did come back quickly enough to give the University back-line time to gain speed a bad pass or

shoddy handling would stop the movement.

The final 15 minutes, however, did enable the University backs to regain some prestige. A University forward who often caught the eye was A. Matheson. He made some good jumps near the front of the line-out and his agility and determination when running with the ball would have done justice to a back. A fine run by him started University on its late scoring spree. P. Duncan played his usual sound game at No. 8 in the students’ scrum, while B. Paul was of good value in the mauls and rucks.

S. Bowater. the University first five-eighths, failed to produce the form which won him so much attention last season. He appears to have lost the knack of setting up play for those outside him and far too often he was caught in the midst of the Sydenham forwards. Inside Bowater, M. Brown threw out good passes and it seems surprising that his many breaks from the scrum did not bring greater rewards. It was only late in the game that L. Jones gained form, and on the right wing L. North needed only a little room to move in to be a scoring threat. At full-back, W. Lewis was very safe, but his sorties into the back-line lacked their usual punch.

It was not only his sandy hair that made the Sydenham No. 8. A. Massie, stand out. He tore into the fray with great willingness and was rewarded with a try. D. McKenzie was another Sydenham forward to have a good game, while in the tight play R. Doell was a consistent worker.

Pepper came through a hard day with honours behind the Sydenham scrum and although the Sydenham backs had few worth-while chances on attack. A. Dunlop twice went past his opponent, Jones. Referee: Mr G. J. Boulton.