Central beats Northern - Sports Trust 1975 to get to top of ladder.....

Central shares the top of the table with Eastern in the 1975 Sports Trust Competition.  Central supporters had a few anxious moments watching as their team came from behind to win 12-8 at Riversdale.

As Eastern had the bye this round it was all up to Central to get the win to secure the lead.  Both teams have had a draw and three wins which means there will have to be a play off which will be great for the game.
You would have said that Central was lucky to win the game against Northern as even though they had the majority of the ball they did not take their chances.  John Hall was effective at loose and especially in the lineouts.  
The Northern forwards were all over John Patterson, the Central halfback, and  the loose trio of Ken Stewart, Ken Patterson and Ashley McGregor made him "sing for his supper".  Patterson scored a good try but was continuously penalised for coming round the side of the scrum too quick.  
Central first five eight, John Ellis had a great game and was probably the best back  on the field.  It was disappointing for Ellis that when he did make breaks and fed the ball back to his team they did not carry on his good work,  as their poor handling let them down.  
Central missed their pace man Leo Boyle , although John Simmers on the wing and Ross Mangles made some great strong runs.
Northern pairing Ron Lee and Paul Langford, both had great games and Lee especially showed great pace when he scored a try 10 minutes into the second half.  He shimmed around the scrum and charged down Patterson's kick ,which bounced perfectly into his hands and ran 25 yards to score a great try. 
Trevor Payne was solid at full back and the pick of the Northern forward was Ken Patterson who never tired in covering.
CENTRAL: Patterson (1) Mangles (1PG) (1Con) Cochran (1PG)
NORTHERN: Lee (1) Ken Thomson (1)
REFEREE: M. Jarvis.
Reference:  The Southland Times July 1975