Belfast bows to H.S.O.B.

Press, 1 May 1981, Page 10

Belfast bows to H.S.O.B.

Belfast scored the game's only two tries, but it still had to bow to High School Old Boys in the main C.S.B. Cup senior rugby match under lights at Denton Oval on Wednesdayevening.

Old Boys won. 15-8. their points coming from three penalty goals byMark Wheeler and two superbly struck dropped goals, one in each half, by Alan Edge, who was in the unaccustomed position of first fiveeighths. In addition to scoring the only two tries, and they were both good ones at that, Belfast also made most of the play. In the second spell, in particular, it had ample ball to score the tries it needed, but faltered through an inability to get its three-quarters into the clear, despite breaks being made inside. Some credit, however, must be given to the Old Boys forwards for the excellence of their cover defending. There seemed to be a continual stream of white jerseys heading for the corner flag. Old Boys, in fact, played some very good percentage rugby. It profited greatlv from Phil Thomas's kicks over the scrum, and so little was the backline used that Jim Tither. promoted from senior B to fill in at second five-eighthsr hardly received the ball from set play. If Thomas did not kick then Edge, who did play well despite one or two handling lapses, would turn the play back towards the forwards. And once it advanced, via Edge's second dropped goal, to a sevenpoint lead mid-way through the second spell. Old Boys took no unnecessarv risks. The pack, well led bv Gary Fuller and Ken Pope, played a heady containing game. There may" have always been hope in the Belfast camp that its All Black first five-eighths, Wayne Smith, could win the game singlehandedly. There was no denying the brilliance of his attacking play, but the scoring chances he created were not always used as well as they might have be.cn.

Further out, Kieran Keane and Mardy Vincent, both tried hard but Tither kept a close eye on Keane, and Vincent was astray with the timing of some of his passes. For High School Old Boys. M.

Wheeler three penalty goals and A. Edge two dropped goals. For Belfast B Hunt and M. Vincent tries. Referee: Mr T. F. Doocey "The Press" Centennial Trophy points: Old Boys 15 (10 and 5). Belfast 15 (l(t and 5). Mark Mclntosh, for his four tries, and Craig Green, for his excellence in many spheres, were the stars of Lincoln' College's 36-0 win over University B in the early game. Oddly enough Lincoln College played’ most of its best football, especially in the snappy way it moved the ball through the backs, in the first spell, during which it scored only two of its six tries. The opposition from University B was nowhere near as strong in the second spell when it got the other four, although nothing could be taken away from the three Mclntosh got in this half. In all three the key ingredient was speed. The Lincoln College forwards, with Albert Anderson being most impressive tn the line-outs, had the game in their palm by midway through the first spell and the two five-eighths. Lance Rickard and Green, were able to fashion the play to their wishes. Rickard was very quick on his feet, but Green impressed in a number of ways. not. the least of them being his’ hard, straight running. It was a pretty smart performance by Lincoln College, although it may to some extent have been flattered by its opponent's shaky defence. For Lincoln College, tries by Mclntosh (4). Green and F. Pullar: Pullar a dropped goal; J. Holmes three conversions and a penalty goal. Referee: Mr H. R. Catherwood. "The Press" Centennial Trophy points: Lincoln College 17 (10 and 7). Univrsity B 16 (9 and 7).