SCHOOL GAMES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28927, 22 June 1959, Page 14

SCHOOL GAMES

Boys’ High Beats Xavier, 25-6 More drive in the forwards and faster, more penetrating backs gave Christchurch Boys' High School a substantial victory in the first inter-school match it has played with Xavier College. School had a distinct advantage throughout the match, and might have scored more points had the three-quarters been given more opportunities.

The match was played with the pace and purpose typical of interschool fixtures. Xavier was clearly outclassed, but gave no ground willingly; the team applied itself to a rather depressing task with admirable tenacity. It the School pack had an advantage in weight and height it was not pronounced. But the forwards played with tremendous vigour and skill. They were usually quick lo the rucks, they were on top in the line-outs, and when the ball was rolling they drove after it with almost irresistible determination. They were also quick to seize opportunities in broken play and mey tackled thoroughly. The School backs also looked very competent. but with the ball coming back so olten it was strange that it went down the line of backs so seldom. The half-back, F. Meyer, made two good breaks early in the match, and after that tried to do rather too much on his own. Outside him A. Bradbury kicked cleverly, but too frequently, and the play was nearly always being brought hack to the forwards. The speed and resource of the outside backs were turned to profit only rarely.

The Xavier oacks saw little of the ball, but they had plenty of tackling to do. Occasional hesitation on defence cost the side dearly. The forwards tried desperately hard, and there were brief periods in which it seemed their efforts might turn the tide. But like the backs, they lacked the little extra speed needed to convert prospects into points. The teams were:—

Xavier College.—B. Hawkins: B Forman, P. Doig, J. Harnett; K. Doody, L. Price; B. Graham; P. Alexander; L. Smith, J. O'Connor, W. Souihon. H. Hodgson; G. Lane. B. Loltus, K. Marryatt. Boys’ High School.— G. H. Bradley; E. S. Simpson, P. Hatchwell. A. G. Steel; M. P. Gregg, A. Bradbury; F Meyer: R. Fletcher; D. Eaton. P Matson, R. Miller, A. Aldersley; C. Croudis, A. McPhail, 1. Teller.

All tne School backs had their successes, although the emphasis on their 101 warns saw them adopt some strange positions even when possession was assureq, and the side was attacking. The value of having the second five-eighths and centre fully 10 yards ahead of the first tive-eignths as he received the ball was obscure. Perhaps the outstanding back, although he had few chances, was Steel. His tremendous acceleration and hard running brought nun a fine try from an apparently impossible position early in the match. Bradley was cool on defence, and he showed speed and resource on attack. He scored two tries, the first after a run of nearly 60 yards after Meyer'had put him in position, the second when he came mio the backline and sold a uUinmy. Gregg was quick and elusive, Bradbury efficient. The front row of tne serum was strong. MePnail had an advantage over his opposite man, and if Croudis set a superb example in the tight and broken piay, Teller was usually in support, aldersley was very quick to the ball and Miller, who won many line-outs, also led several magnificent forward rushes. Against a pack up to the best schoolboy standards, Xavier had a hard task, but Lane and Hodgson were two who never let up, and Smith stifled several promising School movements. Graham, always under pressure, played very capably. Dooay made one lovely run. and Hawkins made some excellent saves. Tries lor Christchurch Boys' High School were scored by G. Bradley (2). JVI, Gregg (2), A. G. Steel. E. Simpson and M. Croudis. Steel converted two. lor Xavier College B Haw Kins kic-Ked two penalty goals. Tne referee was Mr R. G. Conuliffe.