Central half-back, John Patterson helps win over Eastern 1972.

Central won all their Sports Trust games in 1972 and by beating Eastern 9-3 in Drummond, they were well deserved holders of the Sports Trust Cup.

The game was played in the forwards with Central getting the upperhand by grinding down the well drilled Eastern pack.

Eastern were ahead 3-0 at half time but the score could have been larger if they controlled the ball better.

Central came out a different team after half time, and got a hold on the game by wearing the Eastern backs down.  Led by Rutledge and Cliff Cochran in the loose, the Central forwards drove their opposites back, especially in the scrums.  

Central half-back, John Patterson kept the Eastern backs guessing with his box kick, stretching them and giving his backs the gaps to penetrate. Patterson also robbed his opposite, Bruce Coombes, time after time.

The only try of the game was scored by Patterson, after Central won a tight-head.  

Ross Mangles was elusive at Full Back and not only converted the try, but was cool under pressure, giving Central an overlap time and time again by coming into the back-line.

Keith McKenzie, Central winger, proved a threat, even in the wet conditions.

Alan Stewart for Eastern, was snapping out the passes, but lacked the support needed.

Full back, Graham McKinnell, drove Central back with his left foot.

Kevin Merrilees almost scored in the corner, but was just short.

Jim McKenzie, Arthur Kinaird, Dave Saunders, John Hall and Colin Readman worked hard to keep pressure on the Eastern forwards. John Kincaid, hooker, won at least three tight-heads, which one resulted in the try.

Captain, Ron Halford, led the team well and his cover defence was exemplary.