Rugby ENTER-SCHOOL MATCH

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28342, 30 July 1957, Page 6

Rugby ENTER-SCHOOL MATCH

Christ’s College Beats Otago Three penalty goals kicked by the captain, A. S. Reekie, gave Christ’s College a victory over Otago Boys’ High School by 9 points to 3 (a try by N. Creighton) yesterday. The ground at Christ’s College was in excellent condition considering the weather at the week-end. The ball was dry throughout. The teams were:— Christ’s College.—G. Jamieson; J: R. Fountain, C. Kissling, A. N. Watson; R. Henderson, P. Andrews; A. T. Calder; R. J. Kelleher, L. S. Page, A. S. Reekie (capt.), C. R. Bidwell, K. Warden, J. L. Reeves, B. W. Middleton, A. M. Roberton. Otago Boys’ High Sthool.—N. Creighton; W. R. Duff, J. Masters, I. Geary; R. Braithwaite, J. Johnson; R. Garden; N. Geary (captain), B. Cathro. R. Waby, R. Thompson, A. Burgess, D. Mauger, R. Grigor, C. Reid. A very well-drilled College forward pack won a much larger percentage of line-outs than Otago and their quick heels from rucks often found Otago out of position. Yet, with this vast amount of possession, especially in the first half, the. College backs were unable to score a try. This was mainly through two causes —the extremely deep formation used when on attack and indifferent handling and passing. Only once in the game did the back line reach the advantage line in passing movements and many times when Kissling was tackled, play was usually at least 10 yards behind the line. The poor handling t gave College little chance of success from back movements. This was unfortunate, for Kissling, given a quick service might have been able to make the urgently needed break and Watson, who showed great ability and determination on the wing, could have finished the movements off. Inside. Backs Calder and Andrews were effective inside backs and combined perfectly. Andrews kicked intelligently and his tactical line kicking was especially good. Henderson’s handling was erratic and spoilt an otherwise good display. Jamieson, at fullback, was outstanding. The. Otago backs lacked the dash of the College line until Masters moved Into half-back after Garden was hurt. A faster service from the scrums and line-outs put them on a much more even footing and with a shallower attacking formation, seldom lost ground when passes were held. Unfortunately, at times, passes were not held and the College backs and loose forwards were quick to take advantage of this. Creighton was safe at full-back, and Duff, receiving few chances on attack, did much in cover defence. Braithwaite and Masters tackled well, but had few chances. The jumping of Bidwell and War.den for College was excellent, and Reekie and Reeves lent them great support. Middleton played extremely hard in the tight and Page and Kelleher were close to the ball throughout in the loose. The number eight play ot Cathro in line-outs helped considerably to subdue Andrews, and Geary and Burgess were two other excellent loose forwards. Waby and Thompson won quite a number of line-outs but could not quite match the College pair of Bidwell and Warden. Mauger and Reid, with Thompson, played hard in the tight. College led 3-0 at half-time after Reekie had kicked a penalty goal. Reekie kicked two more penalty goals in the second half—both long kicks—and Creighton scored for Otago when he made the extra man in a passing movement. Mr L. S. Kirk was referee