Linwood, Christchurch win

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 6

Linwood, Christchurch win

Another record crowd witnessed two varied but interesting rugby matches at Denton Park : last evening. Approximately 1500 overflowed [the grandstand to see Linwood overpower a disappointing Shirlley, 20-7, and Christchurch making the most of its rare opportunities to beat Belfast, 10-4, in the main. game. I The first half saw both sides continually seeking, but never quite obtaining, supremacy. It was a bruising and hard fought period, with the powerful, yet contrasting forward packs unable to win consistent and clean ball. Belfast began like a team possessed, and although Christchurch recovered somewhat, Belfast probably emerged slightly ahead, especially in the lineouts and scrums. ! Christchurch, however, was quicker' round the paddock, winning a high percentage of its ball at the breakdown. ! Christchurch took the lead with a mere minute to go, John

-1 Collinson going in after a towI ering up-and-under from Richard c I Wilson. Tire last 40 minutes saw re--1 treat and advance for Belfast i and rock like defence from - Christchurch. The loss of Belfast's talented - first five-eighths, Wayne Smith, i through injury early in the second .half put paid io any hopes 5 of a victory through its backs, r To counterbalance this setback, I however, came a tremendous ret surgence from the side’s eight t forwards. Christchurch rarely saw the i ball, spending all of the last period in the most desperate of ■ defence. Much in fact only two or three metres from its line. No matter how much Belfast heaved, crushed. rushed and pushed, Christchurch’s defences were only breached once. Typically it was a pushover try to the evergreen Dave Thompson. I Christchurch, in many respects, [was lucky to win. It won less and less of the ball as the game progressed, but It seized its op-

I portunities as Belfast did not. In the earlier Game Shirley never seriously challenged Linwood throughout. Linwood gave perhaps its best display of the season, especially in the backs. Its hard working and powerful forward unit performed in characteristic fashion, giving the side the ascendency in the tight. Linwood was clearly superior in the rucks, scrum and mauls, while Shirley’s Roger Smith won valuable ball in the line-outs. Scorers:— Christchurch 10 U. Collinson, J. Hobbs tries; R. Wilson a conversion); Belfast 4' (D. Thompson a try). Linwood 20 (R. Le Compte, K, Shannon. A. Stewart tries; R. Latham two penalties and a conversion); Shirley 7 (S. Scott a try; G. Shearer a penalty).