Late sport Game boosts Davis fund

Press, 17 July 1978, Page 6

Late sport Game boosts Davis fund

' NZPA Sydney. in spite ol drawing a crowd much smaller than expected, tne Greg Davis testimonial appeal 1 gala day significantly boosted the fund for the former Wallaby captain. Eight thousand people, about half the number anticipated, turned up at Drummoyne Oval I to see a Drummoyne invitation, XV beat the Barbarians. 26-24. in the main event of the day. The profits from gate receipts, raffles, and catering added more than $22,000 to the $lB,OOO previously collected to leave the fund at more than 540.000 for Davis and his family The testimonial match wa s a| free flowing affair, with 10 fine tries. Among Drummoyne’s six tryi scorers were the New Zealand test forwards, Tane Norton and: lan Kirkpatrick, Norton scored ip the thirty-1 eighth minute after a move involving the half-back. John Hipwell, the prop Ron Graham, and the second rower. Steve Williams, to give Drummoyne a lead it did pot relinquish. Kirkpatrick capitalised on good lead-up work by Jules Guerassimoff to score 26min into the second half. Guerassimoff, Davis’ breakaway partner in many test triumphs in the 19605, had earlier scored after dazzling runs by Kirkpat-

rick and the Erench breakava\ [ Jean-Pierre Rives.

Rives came to gnel 15mm from , fuii time when a rib injury | forced him from the Held. The Drummoyne XV led 14-6 at half-time aftei tries by the winger Malcolm Noad. Norton and the winger, lan Robertson but throughout the second halt the score fluctuated as both teams endeavoured to run the ball as often as possible. Among the hignugiil.' of the match were slashing tries to Robertson and Gary Pearse for the Barbarians Robertson's try came after ths half-time bell had rung with > Kirkpatrick pass being knocked Into the waiting hands of tits full-back. Geoff Richards, who ran down the left touch line for 50m and then passed to Robertson who sprinted 25m to score under the posts. Pearse opened the scoring after Bmln when the five-eighth Ken Wright, skilfully regathered a charged down kick and sprinted down the left touch line before passing to Pearse when he was tackled for the lock to score wide out. Scorers:—

Drummoyne Invitation XV 26 (Noad, Robertson . Kirkpatrick. Guerassimoff, Graham. Norton tries; Noad a conversion! beat Barbarians 24 iCornelsen. Pearse. Melrose. Montgomery tries; Copeland four conversions).