RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25272, 26 August 1947, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

COLLEGE TOURNAMENT WON BY NELSON

BACKS OUTPLAY CHRIST’S COLLEGE IN FINAL "The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. August 25. Nelson won the quadrangular college Rugby football tournament, which concluded in ideal weather to-day. Nelson beat Christ’s College 17-3 in the final. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, but Nelson’s versatile backs were much superior. In tiie game between the first day’s lasers, Wanganui be it Wellington, 13-6. Christ’s College had early chances of establishing a useful ’ead, penning Nelson in its twenty-five, where G. T. Wright narrowly missed with two penalty shots from handy positions. Shortly afterward he attempted a field goal, the ball again going just outside the posts.

From this point onward. Nelson gradually assumed the upper hand. Their backs handled with much greater accuracy. A good break round the blind side of the scrum by Legatt, the Nelson first five-eighths, saw Coleman almost score. A few moments later the Nelson half again worked the blind side following a ruck and Coleman scored at the corner. Just before half-time. Turner, the Nelson centre, fielded a clearing kick, beat a deiender. and passed to Spence, who raced across at the corner. Neither Uy was converted.

A shot at goal from a penalty by Nelson went wide, but fumbling by Christ’s College let the ball go over the line. Several defenders dived to- force, but missed and Williams scored. The try was not converted.

A grand burst by Christ's College forwards gave them renewed hopes. In a passing rush the ball went out crisply to Wise, who beat his man. but was beautifully tackled by Stuart, the Nelson full-back. A little later Wise threw a long pass infield to Quentin-Baxter, who beat an opponent and reverse passed to Wright, who scored, but missed the kick at goal.

A good movement by the Nelson backs saw Coleman lose the ball on the line, but shortly afterwards he kicked a splendid penalty goal from 45 yards out. All the Nelson backs gave good displays. up to the best college football standard. Boyd (captain). McLean, and Cramer-Roberts were noticeable in a hardwcrkkie nack.

Christ’s College fielded a fine set of forwaids. among whom Hutchinson. Richard.-. and Conti? showed out. Tne backs, however, did not handle confidently, movements rarely going past QuentinBaxter. who showed ability to penetrate, but too frequently dropped the ball.