Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2720285, member: 1899"] ASHES SERIES SECOND TEST AUSTRALIA 34; GREAT BRITAIN 14 at Lang Park The improvement and hope portrayed in Great Britain’s gutsy First Test performance appeared nothing more than an aberration after their dismal effort in the Second Test at Lang Park. Australia had their seventh consecutive Ashes series wrapped up by halftime when they led 18-4. The tourists were never in the match. Their commitment, teamwork and discipline was only a shadow of that displayed by the Australians. The British defence was a sad rejoinder to the bad old days of the 70s and early 80s. Invariably they tackled high, and invariably the Australian ball carrier would take a measured “duck” and surge straight through. Wally Lewis earned yet another Man of the Match award at his favourite stomping ground. His combination with another all-time great, halfback Peter Sterling, had a rare quality about it. They kicked superbly in general play, each taking the pressure off the other, and both controlled the game with an almost telepathic understanding. Britain’s kicking game was shocking. Five times they kicked into touch on the full from general play, and when the ball was kept in, invariably it went straight to Aussie fullback Garry Jack, the best broken-field runner in league. The British may have dominated the Australian pack in the First Test but not so in the second. Back rowers Wayne Pearce and Paul Vautin broke the English line time after time and when Sam Backo revved up after a slow start, he was the hardest man on the field to put to ground. Australia scored six tries to record a win as complete as any of the past decade. And there were many moments of brilliance for the big crowd of 27, 130 to savour. Lewis grubbered ahead and regathered to send Peter Jackson away for his third try in two Tests, Michael O’Connor scored one of his “specials”, stepping in and out of the British defence when the match was just six minutes old and Sam Backo powered 50 metres downfield in a surging burst in the second half, and later he charged from dummy half to score his second Test match try. The British had far fewer bright patches in a disappointing and embarrassing exhibition from a team that promised so much. Martin Offiah brought the crowd to their feet with a sizzling 60 metre try and Ellery Hanley made some electrifying bursts. Without tireless backrowers Mike Gregory and Andy Platt, the tourists would have faced a worse nightmare. AUSTRALIA 34 (O’Connor, Ettingshausen, Jackson, Backo, Pearce, Lewis tries; O’Connor 5 goals) defeated GREAT BRITAIN 14 (Ford, Offiah tries; Loughlin 3 goals) Australia Garry Jack, Andrew Ettingshausen, Michael O’Connor, Peter Jackson, Tony Currie Wally Lewis ©, Peter Sterling Phil Daley, Greg Conescu, Sam Backo, Wally Fullerton-Smith, Paul Vautin, Wayne Pearce Reserves: Bob Lidner, Gary Belcher Great Britain Paul Loughlin, Henderson Gill, Phil Ford, Ellery Hanley ©, Martin Offiah David Hulme, Andy Gregory Kevin Ward, Kevin Beardmore, Roy Powell, Paul Dixon, Andy Platt, Mike Gregory Reserves: Darren Wright, Phillip Hulme [/QUOTE]

Verification

Active Now

No members online now.

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)

Reply to thread

Log in

Active Now