Wales
rugby 1973 and Phil
Bennett starts yet another counter-attack from
deep
inside his own half.
What`s
going on...
Wales
are in the red shirts
playing right to left.
Phil Bennett covering
back as he so often does, catches
the ball 15 to 20 metres in from the far touch
line after a kick ahead by England.
Bennett sets off running, straightens, and
makes as if to stay on the narrower side of the field.
In
doing so he preserves
space for support players out to his left.
Approaching
the 22 mertre line he is confronted
by the England #2 and Bennett
sidesteps just as the player comes into the picture on our
left.
He easily
evades the player and draws
another England covering defender who has to move in and
tackle him as he off-loads
to his support.
No spectacular gain in ground but
Bennett`s deceptive play
turns defence into attack and...
keeps the bulk of
the England defence on
the narrow side of the field by appearing to attack that
area
preserves
space for the continuing attack out wide
suddenly and unexpectedly changes
the point of attack
thins the covering defence
by drawing one in to tackle him
Great sidestep!
In
subsequent play Welsh #14 Gerald
Davies is seen using some great elusive running to
evade tackles from Englands number 12 and 11.
Eventually
the Welsh backs sweep into the England half. Gareth Edwards straightens the
attack, preserving space outside him for winger John Bevan.
Note
how Edwards forces the
last England defender to tackle him yet because of his great passing technique
there is never any doubt about his perfectly timed pass and Bevan strides on to score.
Great try!
I
need to see it!...
It's
on the rugby video tape "101
Best
Tries - with Cliff Morgan" - my VCR says it`s
around the 11:18 mark (it seems to vary a little!).
It
has
the heading John Bevan
1973 - Wales
v
England