Club Team From Counties Beaten By Old Boys’ Colts

Press, Volume C, Issue 29624, 21 September 1961, Page 8

Club Team From Counties Beaten By Old Boys’ Colts

On a sun-baked surface at Rugby Park yesterday, a Manurewa junior team from Counties lost a hard-fought game against the High School Old Boys’ colts by six points to nil. It was Manurewa’s second defeat in three years. For Old Boys, it was a satisfactory ending to the first season in which a colts’ team has been kept together. Both sides consisted of players under 21 years of age. For almost the whole of the fist spell. Manurewa was decidedly on top, winning the line-outs regularly. But its policy—maintained throughout the game—of throwing the ball into one. of the first two or three players in the Hne resulted In many tight rucks in which the ball was either lost, or sent out again. Manurewa’s line-out successes kept in cheek an Old Bovs back-Hne which looked more dangerous than Manurewa’s But in the second half, the Old Boys forwards, if still able only rarely to get the ball back cleanly from scrum or line-out, slowly took control of the rucks and loose play, and by toe end of the game Old Boys were firmly in control. It was not a spectacular game, but the defence of both sides was extremely efficient.

I. Worrell. full-back for Manurewa. took the ball beautifully. and showed speed. But toe backs generally ddd not impress. They were usually driven across field by the sure tackling of toe Old Boys flankers, J Brittenden and G. Thomas, and under pressure their passing sometimes faltered. G. Crawford, on the right wing, made one brilliant break, but in general to* backs were harried and hustled, and forced to kick. The Manurewa forwards, urged on by Its Own vocal accompaniment, were a lively eight, wtto the captain. S. Williams. outstanding before he received a knock just before haM-tame. Williams controlled toe line-outs and was a magnificent leader everywhere else. A. Dean was another impressive forward, with M. Collett and E Davis both violently disruptive among toe Old Boys backs.

The Old Boy* full-back. H. Mclntyre, also made many lovely takes in difficult position*. K. Taylor, second five■eighths, was probably toe fastest player on toe ground, but toe beet back was S Mitchell, inside him. He was usually under stern pressure, but he contrived several swift breaks, and severed weg on defence R. TentoM* wed toe outetand-

ing forward for Old Boys, a most determined player in the tight or loose. He and toe other lock. J. Dunstan, were usually responsible for toe occasional Old Boys’ Mne-out success. A. McPhail. the hooker. was also Impressive, showing resolution as well a* a useful sense of position. B. Williams, the number eight, tackled soundly land when the ball was moving he showed tremendous spirit. There was no scoring tn the first half, and the second spell was well advanced before Williams broke away from a loose ruck, passed to McPhail, who made more ground with a Jtrpng run, and toe left wing. D. Owen, scored. Not long before the end McPhail went over In another determined effort for a try. The referee was Mr M. Wood. Town-Country *I" i he flrst matah between High School old boys from town apd country to be played since 1029. Town won an entertaining match by 23 points to 15. The Town team consisted madrJy of members of toe club’s senkr team and there were many competent senior players In the Country fifteen. Some of toe football was light-hearted, but there was much to admire for all that.

Towns points came from tries scored by P. O’Malley (2). S. K. Henderson, and I. Brown. Henderson kicked a penalty goal and converted two tries; R. Miller converted a try, and O Malley also converted one For Country. R. Taggart, c He*lop and F. Meyer scored tries, all of which were converted by C. H eslop.