Welsh boys just miss “test”

Press, 23 August 1976, Page 17

Welsh boys just miss “test”

Like Barry John, the Swansea Schools’ Fifteen had to leave Lancaster Park without a victory. On Saturday they were beaten S 4 by the Boys’ High combined Christchurch Boys High and Shirley Boys High team. At half-time Swansea led by 4-0. For the schools, tries were scored by S. Hansen and R. Lentjes, and for Swansea M. Tucker scored a try. In a game that did not flow freely the referee Mr A. F. Gumsey was the dominant figure and stole the limelight.

Swansea dominated the first half and deserved to be four points ahead at the changeover. However the local side took on a new lease of life In the second half and finished much the better side.

For Swansea Tucker and N. Mason were Impressive in the lineouts while the captain G. Roberts and K. Isaacs were very mobile and helped open up the game. Swansea held a big advantage in both line-outs and scrums.

For the local schools, J. Borthwick was the dominant figure. He showed great speed for a No. 8 and was a force when running with the ball or chasing a kick. His cover and tackling were devastating. D. McLauchlan, playing a tighter game as captain,

complemented Borthwick’s work and directed his forwards well.

K. Pope won line-out ball but generally Swansea was on top In this department and with R. Leggat and D. Van Keulen not very well co-ordinated Swansea dominated the scrum. But In the rucks Lentjes, R. McKay and R. Mclntosh gave the local side an advantage. Leggat had a good game at half-back, upsetting his opposite number many times. However, he gave very inaccurate service to P. Rattray at first five-eighths. S. Hansen at centre Was the best back on the field and M. Wheelen was an adequate and resourceful full-back.

G. Williams proved a very good half-back for Swansea; besides having an adequate pass he possessed a prodigious boot that won large slices of territory. P. Howells the full-back, was an elusive runner but generally the backs were ineffective because of crossfield running. This helped Borthwick to cover each man in the Swansea back-line.

The Welsh boys were disappointed to lose their last game — which must be considered their "test.” They played well in the first half and were prepared to attack from forward or back, but the might of the two boys schools In Christchurch was too much for them.