SCHOOLS’ MATCH

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 8

SCHOOLS’ MATCH

Boys’ High School Beats St. Bede’s

Those Rugby enthusiasts who maintain that secondary school games are the brightest of all, found much to support them in toe match between Christchurch Boys’ High School and St. Bede’s College on Saturday. Boys’ High School won by 11 points to 6 in an open and often exciting match. Boys’ High School scored three tries and a conversion, to , two penalty goals. In the forwards. Boys’ High School was well matched by a solid St. Bede’s pack, but in toe backs. Boys’ High School clearly held the advantage. The teams were:— Boys’ High School: G. Bradley, P. J. Morrisey, B. Robertson, A. G. Steel, P. E. H. Gregg (captain), S. Mitchell, P. A. Claridge, J. Hammond, M. Marson, D- Walker, D. Ward, I. Hartland, A. J. Heatley, D. Hill, M. Cook.

St. Bede’s College: G. D. Laing, W. J. Wright, T. G. Vangioni, M. G. Bugler, A. J. O’Sullivan, P. V. Smith, T. Hannan. P. L. Meates,, O. F. Stopforth (captain), J. F. Burns, A. J. Keenan, M. G. Bradley, M. J. Gaffaney, J. S. Craig, T. S. F. Fahey. Large credit for Boys’ High School's success was earned by A. G. Steel, at centre three-quarters. Whether making a break, following up a kick, or stopping a St. Bede’s attack. Steel was often outstanding, and his quick anticipation, quick acceleration, and hard running were .of a class not often seen in school Rugby. It was fitting that he should have been rewarded by a try scored after a brilliant 30-yard burst through the St. Bede’s defence. Almost as prominent was the St. Bede’s full-back, G. D. Laing. He scored his side’s points, and gave a polished display behind a set of backs who were too prone to drop passes to make a full-back feel comfortable. He was constantly called on to take well-judged kicks from the Boys’ High School backs, but was so seldom found lacking that Boys’ High Schol abandoned this method of attack in favour of passing rushes.

The Boys’ High School wings, P. J.’ Morrisey and B. Robertson, both played well, but their counterparts were starved of toe ball. The tall Boys’ High School line-out forward. D. Walker, was most capably countered by the St. Bede’s forwards, among whom M. J. Gaffaney, O. F. St op forth, and P. L. Meates were always prominent. P. V. Smith, at first five-eighths, was the best attacking back for St. Bede’s.

The Play Boys’ High School attacked from the whistle, but sound tackling by St. Bede’s held these attacks. With an excellent penalty kick from well out, Laing put St. Bede’s into the lead. The Boys’ High School half-back. P. Claridge, who played most intelligently, kicked ahead after some scrappy play close to toe St. Bede’s line. In toe race for the ball, I. Hartland dived over to even toe scores.

P. V. Smith made several good breaks for St. Bede’s, but the players outside him gave little support. After a fine pass from Gregg, Steel beat his man and ran 30 yards to score. Bradley missed with the kick. Laing brought St. Bede’s level with a fine kick. At half-time the score was 6-all.

The St. Bede’s forwards took control at toe resumption of play, and went close to scoring on several occasions. St. Bede’s missed with two penalty kicks in quick succession, and Boys’ High School began to dictate play. After a quick heel, the ball was passed to Steel, who with apparent ease again made a straight run through the defence. He drew the full-back, and passed to Robertson, who scored. Bradley converted, to make the score 11-6. The referee was Mr L. S. Kirk.