Cookson’s bid fails

Press, 29 May 1981, Page 32

Cookson’s bid fails

The high-scoring High School Old Boys first fiveeighths, Gary Cookson, has almost certainly failed in his bid to rejoin his team for its important C.S.B. Cup rugby match against University A at Lancaster Park tomorrow.

Cookson has not played since he badly injured knee ligaments more than a month ago. He had hoped to be fit enough to play tomorrow, but according to the associate Old Boys coach, Mr Paul Davies, there is only a faint chance of Cookson taking the field.

“He had a fitness test on Wednesday night and did not come through it too well. I think he needs another week,” said Mr Davies. In the meantime, Old Boys have named their utility

back. Alan Edge, as the first five-eighths. Mr Davies said that things were starting to look up for his injury-hit side. “We now have a full backline and require senior B players only to fill the reserves,” he said.

Simon Brown and Daryl Park, two of Old Boys’ best backs, are making good recoveries from serious injuries and Mr Davies is optimistic that both will be back in action before, the end of the C.S.B. Cup round. Geoff Brain. another of the wounded, might be available next week. It was the turn of University A’s coach. Laurie O’Reilly, to have his dreams shattered by an injury this week.

The side's penetrative mid-

field back. Peter O'Callaghah, has been unavailable because of injuries since he featured prominently in University A’s two glittering wins at" the start of the season.

But this week O’Callaghan was due to return to the side and Mr O'Reilly was relating yesterday how he was watching him at training on Wednesday night.

“He was moving superbly

— I had never seen him train better — and I had pictures in my mind of how he was going to cut the Old Boys’ defence to ribbons on Saturday,” said Mr O'Reilly.

“And then he ran into Ross Paniora (one of University A’s props) and broke his leg.”-