COLLEGE MATCH

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29869, 9 July 1962, Page 14

COLLEGE MATCH

Narrow Win For Xavier

Greater determination when going lor the line enabled Xavier College to overcome a lesser share of the ball and to beat Christ’s College. 9-8, at Christ s College on Saturday.. In other respects the teams were very evenly matched although Christ’s College did have the better of a keen tussle in the forwards while the Xavier, backline functioned more fluently. The Christ's College backs failed to draw inspiration from the enveloping traditions of their home surroundings or to react to the spirited encouragement coming from beyond the sideline. Fortunately the forwards did respond to rather than shrink from some extremely forthright advice. The teams were:—

Christ’s College.—M. G. Lester; H W. Thomson. R. H. Black, R. L. Cordery; B. R. Lake H. C. Cottrell: H. R. Ensor; B. Andrews (captain); J. M. Nurse,' R. D Carmichael. B. H. Hutchison, J. D. L. Davis; M. van Stravern, P B Shield. J. G. Pattullo.

Xavier College.—P. Robertson: B. Consedine. W. Nelson, B. Marra; A. Amos, B. McAlister: P. Sexton; R. O'Leary (captain!; P. O'Malley. P. Consedine J. Peoples. K. Rhodes; K. Gallagher. M. Harnett, W O'Leary. Each side was well served at nail-back. At one stage Christ’s College won a tight head and three line-outs in a row only to waste possession with kicks that gained little territory. Throughout the game Cottrell, at first five-eighths, kicked much too frequently and with little regard to the relative position of the players. These tactics seemed to cause a progressive atrophy of the running and passing game which was only relieved towards half-time when Thomson, the right wing threequarters. made an electrifying dash from an impossibly cramped position.,Lester, at fullback. made some notable saves. The Xavier backs spun the ball much more quickly, until Amos, at second five-eighths, began to imagine that he had an irresistable dummy for sale. McAlister at first five-eighths played the best all-round game, being effective both on attack and defence.

The big lock. Peoples, was the only Xavier forward with the height to rival the three Christ's College line-out specialists: Hutchison, Carmichael and Andrews. He could not be everywhere at once but he received wholehearted support from the fiery R. O'Leary. The latter proved himself the most dashing forward on the ground although Carmichael gained in prominence towards the end of the game as the less robust began to tire. For Xavier McAlister and B. Consedine scored tries; Sexton kicked a penalty goal. Black scored a try for Christ’s College: Andrews converted this and kicked a penalty goal. The referee was Mr H. P. Kearney.