ST. BEDE’S COLLEGE WINS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25253, 4 August 1947, Page 5

ST. BEDE’S COLLEGE WINS

CLOSE GAME WITH BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL Scoring two tries in the last 15 minutes, St. Bede’s college beat Christchurch Boys’ iligu acnooi by 6 points to 0 in the anuuai match on Saturday, .a.id made the result oi the intei-seeoiidaiy schools’ competition a triple tie. Christ’s College, noys' ilifeh School, and St. Bede’s College each won two games. The game on SatUiday was played on a very tieacherous surxace, and there was | little oi the bright, open play wh.ch • frequently marks school football. Although the ball was easy to handle, tne suit ground made any attempt to change direction difficult, and the forwards oi boJi sides broke quickly on to the insiae backs. The game was chiefly a forward one, and in this department St. Bede's College had an advantage in weight which it used to good effect.

Ine St. Bede’s pack gave a fine exhibition. The forwards displayed a life and determination rare even in school lootbail, and lheie were no stragglers at any stage. St. Bede’s won most of the scrums and line-outs, and in o.her departments shaded their opponents. They showed good control of the ball m their spirited rushes, and in the open play most of them displayed a speed rather unexpected in such heavy players. The captain, Duckworth, led them well, and the mcks, Craig and Ealhorne, both especially heavy boys, worked tirelessly. Eathorne, with K. F. Meates, was particularly prominent in the line-outs, and Kane and McCarthy did some excellent work in the loose Tomasi, on the side of the scrum, was a source of danger to the school backs, and the other two acquitted themselves well. The school forwards fought back with fine spirit. Hayward, Alderson, and Clay were perhaps the best of a pack which gave a lively performance, and Brown was prominent in the loose, although on this occasion his weight might have been applied more frequently where it was badly wanted. At half-back for St. Bede’s Riordan played capably, and Heenan, outside him. was quick to seize a chance. The others had few opportunities, until the last few minutes, when Mahoney, on the left wing, made two or three determined runs. At full-back .Kelleher, after an uncertain start, played coolly and well, and Pope, centre three-quarter, made some good saves The school oacks had fewer chancethan their opponents, and only twice did a try look likely. On both occasions the quick backing up of the captain, Kitchingham, seemed likely to develop a promising situation, but each time the conditions underfoot prevented him from taxing his pass cleanly. Kitchingham is a more dangerous player on a dry ground, but he played well on Saturday, his de-fence-being sound, and his speed off the mark several times allowing him to make the most of his opponents’ mistakes. A' half-back Hartnell played a plucky game, and he stood up well to a severe test. The teams were:— St. Bede’s College.—E. P. Kelleher; L. M. Henley, M. B. Pope, J. R. Mahoney; A. P. Haywood. E. J. Heenan; R. J. Riordan: H O. Duckworth, J. K. Kane. J. C. McCarthy; K. F. Meates, D. O. Craig, M. C. Eathorne, M. L. Tomasi; J. P.- Ryan. Boys’ High School.—M. B. Poore: M. Preece, H. Johnsen. K. Blick; G. Ockenden, G. G. Kitchingham; J. N. Hartnell; P. R. Jebsen. J D. Alderson, R. Heley; V. Preece, D. Hayward, S. D. Clay. A. J Brown; N. R. Searell. \ School had the sun behind it in the first spell, and there was practically no wind. A cross-kick by Heenan had school troubled but the tackling was exemplary. A penalty kick by Poore hit the top of the upright and bounced the wrong way 'or him and when the St. Bede’s fiveeighths made mistakes, the school forwards went through and maintained the pressure. St. Bede’s worked downfield, and Heenan sold a dummy, but was stopped near the line. A quick heel from the ruck sent the St. Bede’s backs away on the other flank, but Poore marked in the teeth of the attack. Schoo! was awarded four penalties in the first five minutes of the second sp”’! but Hi tie use was made of them. The school forwards, showing tremendous life, kept play on th a St. Bede’s line for some

time. Riordan finally cleared, and shortly afterwards Kane broke away with the ball at his feet in a solo effort which gained 40 yards. St. Bede’s attacked stronglv. and when Heenan worked the blind Mahoney made a bold bid for the corner. Jebsen had to leave the field, being replaced by Henry. Mahoney made another spirited attempt when he fielded a clearing kick, then a clever left foot kick by Riordan put the ball out a foot from the school line. Duckworth received from the quick throw-in and scored a good try. With five minutes to go. St. Bede’s attacked again. The school backs swung into action, but there was a knock-on and. with the advantage rule, the St. Bede’s backs went through, Hadley scoring wide out. Mr W. J. was referee.