Students disappointing

Press, 17 July 1978, Page 24

Students disappointing

PA Wellington New Zealand Universities turned in a winning 15-10 performance at Athletic Park over their Irish counterparts yesterday but it was nothing like the epic Liontaming effort of last season. There was little glory gained by either team in a match which stuttered fitfully and disappointingly along before an expectant crowd of 7000. There were many stoppages for injury and a staggering flow of penalties from the referee, Mr Warwick Bringans. There was little to enthuse over in the New Zealand performance. The forwards generally did what was re-

quired, especially in the rucks and mauls, where they won a feast of ball.

But in spite of being served up an abundance of good quality second-phase possession, the New Zealand backs did little with it. The New Zealand Juniors half-back, Gary Barkle, of Canterbury provided swift, assured service but outside him there was too much cross-field running and disorganisation. The former All Black, Kit Fawcett, at full-back exhibited good positional play throughout.

The non-stop effort of the flankers, Denis Thorn and Ray Scott, was one of the better aspects of the New

Zealand performance. Both men caused the Irish inside backs considerable alarm with their fiery tackling. Though well beaten, the Irish took credit from the way in which they battled back after allowing New Zealand to slip to a 12-0 lead after 18min. Their forwards were hopelessly inept in the rucking and mauling phases but through the likes of Mike Gibson, Donal Spring and Gerry Holland, decisively took the lineouts, 23-13. Scorers. — For New Zealand Universities: D. Thorn try; K. Fawcett three penalties, conversion. For Irish Universities: M. Finn try; J. Barry two penalties.