Depleted Sydenham Wins Narrowly

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32359, 27 July 1970, Page 15

Depleted Sydenham Wins Narrowly

SYDENHAM 8: P. Sweeney, S. Greenman. tries; B. O’Keefe. a conversion. ALBION ft: P. Wells, two penal-

ties. Sydenham, the team which was most unlucky not to gain inclusion in the Harewood Trophy section of the competition after a series of improved performances in the latter stages, had its closest game for many weeks in just edging out Albion at Middleton Park. In scoring two tries to its opponent’s none. Sydenham probably deserved its win, but in terms of the run of play and territorial advantage. Albion could not be blamed if it considered itself somewhat unlucky. The difference lay in the fact that Sydenham accepted its opportunities while Albion, once again initiating a number of promising movements, lacked the finish so essential to success tn senior Rugby. Sydenham had five points registered moments after the game

began when a raking pass by its captain, M. Pepper, from a ruck, gave the Albion defence little chance as Sweeney crossed. Because of what appeared to be a couple of handling infringements. Greenman’s try was a more doubtful proposition, but it gave Sydenham an 8-0 lead at alf-time.

Without the experienced forward trio of D. McKenzie, R. Higgs and B. Hill, the Sydenham pack lacked its usual efficiency and was shaded in the battle for possession at ruck and lineout by the Albion eight. However, W. Underhay, who showed great speed and rare anticipation for one so young, and S. Greenman, toiled hard in the loose.

Albion showed a poor return for all its endeavour and appeared to lack tactical variation when its tried methods proved unsuccessful. The pack showed improved form, with S. Geddes, I. Duncan and M. Eagle taking good ball at the line-outs and helping to establish a narrow supremacy in the rucks.

However, Albion’s fault seemed to lie in the fact that the forwards and backs functioned as two separate units, instead of complementing each other, as with Sydenham. Both back-lines lacked true penetration, although prepared to run the ball where possible. B. Whelan, a former Nelson representative, played soundly on the left-wing for Sydenham, but had few chances because of the mediocre play of the five eighths, R. Broderick and A. Dunlop. O. Broomhall, at centre for Albion, made several promising thrusts which did not come to fruition, while P. Wells, at fullback, was steady if unspectacular. Referee: Mr W. D. Annan.