Christchurch B.H.S. Wins Tourney With Otago

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29903, 17 August 1962, Page 17

Christchurch B.H.S. Wins Tourney With Otago

Although it lost the soccer, the Christchurch Boys’ High School won all its other contests with the Otago* Boys’ High School at Straven road yesterday. Christchurch won the Rugby, hockey, and debating. It lost the soccer match. 5-3. and won the'Rugby 8-0, the hockey, 11-2, and the debating by 169 points to 152. Much of the play in the Rugby match was confined to the forwards. Otago's loose forwards broke quickly on to the Christchurch inside backs, and although T. L. Mehrtens. the first five-eighths, endeavoured to counter this with clean handling and swift passing, the second five-eighths, G. McClatchy, tried too often to beat his market. But the defence was sound, and consequently the strong-running centre. G Giansford, had no chances on attack Uncertainty in handling and kicking by the Otago first five-eighths. S Letts, deprived the Otago backs of several opportunities The centre G. Burndge. showed himself a dangerous attacker in the tew runs he had. D. Billcliffe and P. Nelson excelled in the rucks and mauls for Otago, and W. Dodds and N. Sonntag were frequently prominent m the loose L. McIntosh K. Thacker. D Smeafon and R W tight led the home pack v.gorously. Christchurch took the lead early in tne second half when Mehrtens sent the right wing. M. Brown, across for a try. Clever play by the Christchurch half-back. R Marks, led to the final try 15 minutes from the eno of the match. Marks ran with Uie ball after a ruck and. as he was caught, propelled the b-»l’ in an unorthodox but effective manner back to McIntoso. who burst through to score by the post*. 'W. Barbaxel converted.

Mr R. W. Phizacklea was the referee. Faster To Ball In most departments the' soccer teams were well matched, I but Otago’s vigour and team I spirit in the first half laid the* foundation for victory. The: Otago players were generally faster to the ball and used lofty kicks to advantage. By half-time Otago led. 3-0. Christchurch showed more cohesion in the last 20 minutes { and was pressing bard at the; finish. A. Ritchie (2), C. Anderson; (2) and B Sharp scored for: Otago and A Brooks (2) and* 1. Walter for Christchurch ; Superb passing, ball control. 1 and positional play by Christchurch gave it its convincing I win in the hockey match. The forwards were quick to exploit chances and but for the stout j defence maintained by the 1 Otago goal-keeper. B. Abbott, i the score could have been mucb higher. Otago's forwards lacked penetration and did not have' the same finish to their attacks 1 as did Christchurch. In spite; of the number of goals scored, against them, the Otago backs' defended strongly. D. Hill clearing several dangerous shots. ! The inside left, T. Burrows, and the inside right and captain, W. Burtt, led a strong Christchurch forward line, which was well fed by the halves. Burrows scored six goals tor Christchurch. B. Maister three and Burtt and M. Mihkelson one each A Koolei and L. Currie scored for Otago The subject for the debate was "That the school leaving age should be raised to 17.” Otago took the affirmative. The Christchurch team of L. Bliss and J. Empton won by 168 points to 132. Otago’s team was O. R. Knowles and D J. Mitchell. Knowles being adjudged best speaker.