UNIVERSITIES’ WIN

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29238, 23 June 1960, Page 6

UNIVERSITIES’ WIN

Country Beaten, 16-14

The Country Rugby team was beaten narrowly, 16-14, by Combined Universities at Rugby Park yesterday. Universities’ score was made up of three tries, by Wells, Doig and Withell, and a penalty goal and two conversions by D. Leary. Hotop and Rikys scored tries for Country and Todd kicked two penalty goals and a conversion. The teams were:—

Country—D. B. Todd- A. Pluok, R. Rikys, P. Fleming: J. Hotop, *. Coleman; M. Heslop; B Trevella; J. Inch, B. Perkins. R. Cochrane. S. Mitchell; F. Loe, J Sheehan. C- Heslop. Combined Universities*.—B. Hagen; B. Weenik, D. Leary, D. A. Ivory; J- Pask, T. Apatu; G. B. Reid; M. O’Connor; R. Wells, M. Walker, N. Hobbs, W. Strang; E. D. Wikalra, I. Withell, K. D. Dolg. Country led, 14-6 half-way through the second spell, but lapses in the defence enabled Universities to score two tries, both of which were converted. The surface was very slippery and several promising Country back attacks failed when players lost their footing. Nevertheless, the Country five-eighths, Coleman and Hotop, managed to impart ar. air of confidence in midfield.

There was plenty of brisk running and crisp handling although it was not a day for open Rugby There were elementary mistakes as well from time to time, b:t both sides had the positive object of winning rather than the negative one of stopping the other side from scoring. Country Forwards

The Country forwards won a lot of ball from scrums and lineouts in the first spell. Statistically they were less impressive in the second half, especially in the last quarter when the University forwards were at their best.

One of the best Country forwards was the No. 8 Trevella. He chased the ball as if his life depended on it Cochrane enjoyed a certain amount of success in the lineouts, as did Perkins, his partner at lock, but the University forwards won their share as the game progressed. Mitchell was an active flanker.

The Country full-back, Todd, remained calm In the face of the most determined attacks. He was never bustled, his handling was without blemish and his kicking must have taken the spirit from the Universities’ forwards.

Coleman was closely watched by his opposite, Apatu, am' W Strang, a flanker who moved quickly from the end of the lineout. Coleman was still n problem for the defence, however, and he and Hotop made an ideal combination. The best of the Universities’ backs on attack w .s the second five-eighths, Pask. Heavy and fast he twice ran straight through the opposition brushing off Hotop on the way D. Leary, at centre, was very safe, but he had fe’*’ chances on attack.

In an energetic Universities' packt Strang, Doig, Walker and Withell were especially prominent Doig played hard for the full 80 minutes and thoroughly deserved his try. Wells did well in the lineouts and with Hobbs and O’Connor kept close to the ball

Country Team

Chosen

The Country Rugby team to play Town at Lancaster Park on Saturday is:— D- B. Todd; P. Fleming, R. Rikys, C. Mitchell; J. Hotop, A Coleman; H. Nicholson; B. Trevella; J. Inch, R. Cochrane, D. Richards, S. Mitchell; F. Loe. J Sheehan, C- Heslop. Reserves.—Forwards: K McKenzie, S. Childs, B. Perkins Backs: J. Gunn, A. Pluck, M. HesIcp. D. B. TODD SCORES 100 POINTS When the Country full-back, D. 3. Todd, scored eight points against Combined Universities at Rugby Park yesterday, he brought his total of points for the season to 100. ’ Todd, wl-o has had a successful season for Lincoln College, has scored four tries and kicked 10 penalty goals and 29 conversions in seven club and three representative fixtures. Todd, a former Mid-Canterbury and Wairarapa representative, will play for Country against I Town on Saturday.