RUGBY YOUTH

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29894, 7 August 1962, Page 22

RUGBY YOUTH

A kick-and-follow movement covering about 70yds ended in a try by the Boys’ High School Ist XV halfback, R. Marks, in the last minute of his side’s match with St. Bede’s College on Saturday. Marks had the ball under control throughout the move and did not attempt to handle it until the goal-line was reached. Earlier he had almost turned himself inside out in switching play to the blind-side for T. L. Mehrtens to send G. Gainsford, the cehtre, across the line unmarked for a try.

Influenza has made inroads into the ranks of several teams taking part in the Saturday competitions. Both the Marist and Christchurch teams playing an important match in the under 7st grade on Saturday felt its effects, Marist having seven players absent and Christchurch two. The latter side was also without its leading back, the second five-eighths G. Heard, who gashed his leg during the week.

Since entering the under 17 grade about half-way through the competition, the Papanui team has lost only two games. The majority of the players were in the under Bst 71b side of last season, so the pack is a light one. Two of the best players are W. Richards, the first five-eighths, and R. Williams, a lock.

The Boys’ High School 2nd XV has lost only one game in the secondary schools’ grade this season—and that was its first match, against Papanui High School, which

has not won a game since. The School team is well led by D. Smith, a loose forward who is seldom far from the ball.

The Marist under 7st team has not lost a match this season and is leading the competition by four points. All its players are from Xavier College and their enthusiasm at practices has been most marked. P. McGoldrick, the hooker and captain, is a sound forward and an excellent leader.

The outstanding player in the Merivale under 17 team tlais season is D. Jones, the first five-eighths, A born footballer, he has shown headiness on attack, and is a strong runner and good cover defender.

P. George is proving a grand leader of the Boys’ High School 3rd XV, which plays in the secondary schools’ grade. Three of his forwards who have shown up consistently this season are G. Cameron, in the line-outs, W. Dailey, on cover defence, and D. McPhail, in hooking and general tight play.

The Papanui under 17 team has had some teething troubles this season but now appears to have overcome its difficulties. It started as an under 16 team but there were not sufficient players for a full side so the team entered the under 17 competition after six games had been played. Some of its players are relatively young—there is one 14-year-old and several 15-year-olds in the side.

Although he is playing Rugby for the first time this season. B. Cox, a diminutive 12-year-old flanker in the Marist under 7st team, has developed well in the games he has had and is proving an asset to his team. On Saturday he scored two good tries against Christchurch.

Two players who have been prominent for Boys’ High School A in the secondary schools’ grade are R. Stanbury. the half-back, and B. Spear, the full-back. Stanbury has scored most of his team’s points in recent games while Spear has won some matches for the side by the strength and accuracy of his kicking.

The Merivale under 17 team started with only 11 players this season but has compiled a reasonably good record in spite of having to take the field two players short at times. The team’s coach, Mr R. W. Norrie, believes the players will mould into a good side in the under 18 competition next season and he hopes to continue guiding their development until they reach the under 20 grade.

Three outstanding members of the unbeaten Marist under 7st side are the five-eighths. J. Aiming and W. Torrance, and the full-back, A. Cronin. Anning is probably the most elusive and penetrative back in the competition and Torrance has proved both a speedy and thoughtful player. Cronin has now scored 96 points, including 18 tries, this season.