Unimpressive Win To Suburbs

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32335, 29 June 1970, Page 14

Unimpressive Win To Suburbs

SUBURBS 16: D. Mahoney, G. Blair, tries; A. Direen, two conversions and two penalty goals.

BELFAST 3: K. Milau, a try. Although the score indicates a. comfortable win for Suburbs, this was far from being true. Belfast continually harassed Suburbs into making errors, and should have scored at least one more try, when A. Clark picked up a loose ball in front of the Suburbs’ posts but fell over with no-one to beat. More co-ordination in its forwards, and accurate goalkicking by its full-back, Direen, paved the way for Suburbs’ unimpressive win. Both sides attempted to run the ball on the puggy ground at Sheldon Park, but faulty handling—especially by the Belfast inside backs—led to many break-downs, which Suburbs capitalised on. Suburbs led 8-3 at half-time. B. Bush, the Suburbs’ prop, played another good game, and received solid support from G. Blair and Mahoney. The Suburbs hooker, I. Grant, took numerous tight-heads off his opposite, B. Larsen, but Larsen made up for this by a fine display in the loose. Besides Larsen, the best of the Belfast pack was its loose forward trio, K. Milau, B. Charteris, and L. Berghan. Milau was never far from the ball, and scored a corner try with a determined burst. The feature of the Belfast backs was the performance of the half-back, K. Kerr. He outplayed the Canterbury halfback, L. Davis, and showed up well on defence. The Belfast first five-eighths ruined a sound display by dropping too many passes. W. Nutbrown was a speedy wing who suffered from a lack of ball, while the Belfast full-back, D. Stead, although a competent line- • kicker, made errors in other phases of play. ' Direen was the best Suburbs’ ■ back—his handling, kicking and tackling were of a high • standard. A. Verlander, on the ; wing, proved a hard man to bring down. Referee: Mr G. E. Albertson.