RUGBY Christchurch’s Splendid Win Against University

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30153, 10 June 1963, Page 14

RUGBY Christchurch’s Splendid Win Against University

Christchurch now leads the qualifiers for the Canterbury Rugby Union’s senior championship which will begin next month. And among Rugby supporters, it would head a popularity’ poll, too, for it gave a vastly entertaining display in beating University’, 17-12, at Lancaster Park on Saturday. It was one of the fastest and most spectacular games for years, with Christchurch’s success embellished by an astonishing try by W. Birtwistle after a run of 90 yards.

The other leading team, New Brighton, was deservedly held to a draw by Shirley, leaving Christchurch half a point in front. University’s defeat was its third in succession, but the * team contributed in <onsiderable measure to a particularly pleasing exhibition.

There may be some basis for the fears that with the competition being run under the present new lines, teams certain of qualifying might play inconsequential football. But Christchurch has nearly always been an attacking team, and its victory over University was not won without a tremendous forward struggle and much resolute defence. But the new competition, obviously designed to prevent a repetition of University's runaway win last season, has rather back-fired on its sponsors. Saturday s win was one of the finest Christchurch has achieved in years. But in practical terms, it means nothing: and other teams are similarly placed. The results of Saturday s games were: — Christchurch 17, University 12. Shirley 0. New Brighton 0. Old Boys 12, Albion 6. Linwood 9, Marist 5. Merivale 11, Belfast 9. Suburbs 8, Sydenham 0. Teams’ points are:—

Exhilarating Display CHRISTCHURCH 17: W. Birtwistle (2) and D. A. Arnold, tries: G. Waterreus two penalty goals and a conversion. UNIVERSITY 12: R C. Moreton, C J. Maguire. T. H. Moynihan and P. A. Hutchinson, tries.

Although University scored four tries to Christchurch's three, there was little doubt that Christchurch's victory was deserved. Christchurch won possession cleanly from only one line-out in the first spell to University's 12, conceded two tight heads before the interval, and held no advantage in rucking. but the Christchurch backs were always dangerous. They attacked with the sort of abandon attributed by historians to the bright young things of the 1920'5: it was some party. Christchurch ran and passed, switched the direction of its attacks. backed up. ran and passed again, whenever it won possession from set scrums or broken play. The inside pair. E. Conder and B. A Watt, merely handed on the ball, with the forma! gravitv of waiters passing round the drinks and produced what was very nearly levity further out. There was some incisive running from Arnold, but Christchurch took what were, by modern standards, appalling risks. The sudden switches, the huge er ass-field passes produced tries for both sides, for mechanical errors with players scattered everywhere, invited disaster But it was a magnificent spectacle. University had some very good moments, but in the first spell, with regular possession, seldom sent the ball beyond the first five-eighths. There were repeated efforts to attack from the end of the line-outs, and the violent driving of A. J. Stewart. T. H Moynihan and the flankers was hard to stop. University's strong and experienced pack appeared to take command tn the second spell, but Christchurch came back with tremendous spirit, and in the closing minutes University's forwards looked done

University might have won the match had the team not fiven away so many penalties, t conceded 13: Christchurch only five. The game was played in a good spirit until near the end when Christchurch players were twice held to prevent the strong possibility of them scoring. It w’as at that stage that there was an exchange of punches among the forwards In the second spell. Christchurch enjoyed a little more success in the line-outs, but ended the match down by three to one tn line-out possession. It was a pity University did not snake a little more use of its three-quarters, who ran strongly when given the opportunity. Birtwistle’s second try was quite extraordinary. Christchurch won a scrum about 10 yards f-om its line. The ball ■went quickly to Birtwistle whose speed off the mark and bouncing in-field side-stop took him past player after plaver This spring-heeled Jack progress took him in beneath the posts for a try which won a warm tribute from what was probably the best club crowd of the season Birtwistle was always dangerous, and he left T. J. Morris clutching helplessly when he scored his first try. He also contributed other startling runs, and rather more in defence than on some occasions. Waterreus plaved another grand game on attack and defence, and while C. Mullaney at centre made some appalling errors he also had some spectacular successes on a tack Arnold was magnificent He ran hard., covered industriously. tackled furiously, and seemed to bob up wherever the ball happened to be. Watt was cool under pressure snd Conder again played David most competently

The Christchurch forwards, •haded tn nearly every phase of the play until their great resurgence in spirit and energy near the end, were ably led bv G. Burgovne, with N. Kearns applying himself with particular diligence and S. Caughey often catching the eye R Walnohu was tn tremendous form, and his vigilant watch on A. F. Orme was no doubt largely responsible for the few chances given the University three-quarters. Wainohu’s shattering tackling, his speed and eh-ength on attack ard in coverings, were vital factors in his team's victory For a time. Umversitv’s forwards looked match winners.

Wherever the ball was thrown in. there was a University player to take it—Stewart or D. P. Gaffikin. B. R. Smither or Moynihan. The forwards made some crashing attacks, but University was never allowed to take complete command. It was a tremendous tussle in the forwards. with G. G. Loveridge playing one of his best games, and C. R. Hockley performing like an enthsuiastic colt. L. S. Taiaroa cleared the ball efficiently, but Wainohu, often playing as an extra back, kept Orme in check. But there were some swift and efficient movements by the University backs when Christchurch's furious running had scattered its defence D C Leary failed with all six of his attempts at goal, and Morris had an unhappy day. The referee was Mr D. Last.

Teams Well Matched SHIRLEY 0. NEW BRIGHTON 0. This early match at Lancaster Park was just as even as the score indicated. There were few occasions on which either side looked like scoring a try. but the game seldom lacked interest. Towards the end of the first spell. Shirley, winning quick possession from line-outs, rucks and scrums, attacked persistently with both the fiveeighths, S. Quirk and B. O’Loughlin, showing ability. Only stout-hearted defence kept Shirley out in this period. In the second half, New Brighton had many opportunities. with the second fiveeighths. R. Dalton, often running his three-quarters into promising positions. But the men outside lacked the necessary pace, although M. Dick once or twice showed dash. G. Stanley's tactical kicking, usually well-placed, kept Shirley falling back, and I. Penrose, in the New Brighton pack, did much good covering. Shirley’s strong front row served it well in the tight play The referee was Mr R. K. Rose. More Energy In Forwards OLD BOYS 12: M. Miller and J. Irving tries. S. K. Henderson two penalty goals. ALBION 6: J. Adams a try, A. Harrison a penalty goal.

After trailing early in the match. Old Boys took a lead over Albion just before halftime and was not behind again. •There was little concerted back play of note, although there were some stirring individual efltorts and the match was probably won through the greater dash of the Old Boys forwards. Albion took its lead almost immediately when Adams scored after J. Morrison had dribbled it ahead. Towards the middle of the half there were some lapses in the Albion tackling which allowed Old Boys nine points—the tall lock Miller crashed over, Henderson kicked his first penalty goal and Irving scored after the forwards, K. Victor and D. J. Graham, had handled. The Albion side improved in the second half and the only points were the penalty goals by Harrison and then Henderson. both early in the half. So it was the second part of the first half which was decisive, when Old Boys linked backs and forwards to lake advantage of the weakening defence. The Old Boys forwards Elayed wi’h such fire—Victor, filler and B. Turpin, especially —that for much of the time Graham did not bother to go into rucks. The result was that he was nearly always first to the loose ball und he was always up with the Play, often Initiating movements In the decisive period. Henderson showed that he is still a fine attacking back, although he was too often caught with the ball in the second half. D. Johnston, at first five-eighths, was prominent and A. G. Steelq looked on the wing but had feiwchances. A. Aldersley was a most competent full-back Albion was several times unlucky not to score in the second half, when P. Clarke made some threatening dashes down the sidelines, but it was unable to finish off Harrison, at fullback. saved his side time and again with clean takes and long line-finders The most energetic of the forwards were M. Robinson and B. Saunders. Mr A. G. Duckmanton was referee.

High Standard Of Tackling

LINWOOD 9: W. F. McCormick, three penalty goals. MARIST 5: M. Keenan a try, B. Connolly a conversion. Although there was a considerable amount of passing among the backs the defence of both Linwood and Marist was such that only the one movement brought a try. In fact, the tackling was sb good that it prevented the match from being more of a spectacle and there were some rather dull periods when neither side could make ground Marist gained a bigger share of possession, and it launched more of these attacks; however all but one foundered on the tenacious defence of Linwood backs and forwards. So it was another game won bv kicks when W. F McCormick kicked three for Linwood and B Connolly missed more than that for Marist. including one from straight in front. Marists position was reversed from its previous game when the University backs passed and passed but could not penetrate often enough. Lively forwards like T. McKendry in the loose, P. Angland in the line-outs and B Loftus in the tight, gained a great deal of the ball which B. Coulter fed to his backs consistently and which the second five-eighths. L. Price, especially. Jooked like making good use of. But they had to contend with a team which covered every gap and the try was onlv scored towards the end by D Bell throwing a pass over the heads of several plavers in a movement which included both wings Outstanding tn such defestee was the evergreen Linwood forward. R. Tabb, who covered

vast tracks with his wispy hair flowing behind, looking like a man demented. Tabb was sound in every department, as a cover defender, tackler, line-out forward and he was frequently first to the ball. A. Holland and B. Mason were his best supports. The representative full-back. McCormick had another highlysuccessful day in the Linwood backs. He scarcely made an error on defence and he was again the only back who had real penetration on attack It was unfortunate for Linwood that opportunities were not there to use him more often. The five-eighths. K. Gimblet and T. Rutene, played with admirable energy but they did not have McCormick’s power to break tackles. If McCormick had a good day it was little better than that of his opposite. Connolly, who was vastly Improved on his previous match. He kicked some particularly fine touch-finders. Mr R. H. Bull was referee. Third Successive Win By Suburbs Suburbs 8: B. Metson, V Sykes, tries; R. Templeton a conversion.

Sydenham 0. Suburbs, this season’s giantkillers, continued on their winning way when they scored their third victory in succession, beating lowly rated Sydenham in an enterprising game at Sunnyside. Speed to the ball and the ability to take advantage of the opposition’s mistakes were the deciding factors in Suburbs’ victory. Both tries came as a result of mistakes by the Sydenham inside backs and Metson and Sykes made the most of their opportunities. Suburbs settled down quickly and their fast-breaking loose forwards troubled Sydenham. Suburbs enjoyed a distinct territorial advantage in the first spell and their backs received a plentiful supply of the ball, particularly from lineouts where Brunning proved himself a dominant figure, with his high jumping and clean taking of the ball.

Towards the latter stages of the first spell Sydenham looked dangerous on two occasions and after the change-over played much more constructive Rugby, giving the Suburbs defence many torrid times. However. Suburbs defence was equally determined with Chapman, who was later injured, outstanding. Play became very torrid in the forwards late in the game and on several occasions the referee had to speak to both packs. The Suburbs backs combined well and always looked likely to penetrate. W. Cottrell played an extremely competent game at first five-eighths, handling the ball immaculately although receiving poor service from his half-back. His brother. L. Cottrell, was an enterprising wing and looked dangerous on a number of occasions, while R. Templeton played soundly at full-back.

The Sydenham backs on the other hand were a distinct disappointment. Although receiving an excellent service from the half-back, M. F. Whitta, they failed to show any penetration and the first fivelelghths, A. Coleman, held on to the ball too long several times. D. Gallop was a very sound last line of defence.

It was a hard struggle amongst two even sets of forwards. The lively Suburbs loose forwards were always prominent and A. Silcock and K Tucker were the pick of the Sydenham pack, with the former doing a lot of good covering work. The referee was Mr L. S Kirk. Kiek-And.Bustle Encounter Merivale 11: jtf. Head, B. Ramsey tries; L. Mitchell a penalty goal an d a conversion. Belfast 9; G. Frost a try; C. Cameron two penalty goals.

This was a kick-and-bustie game to a large extent but the nnal outcome was possibly influenced by the tighter play of the Merivale forwards and the superior performance of the Merivale backs. The three tries of the game w p ere scored in the first half and the second half was- more a trial of strength than a test of guile. In this spell forward exchanges became somewhat vigorous and once the referee cautioned two players after a line-out altercation.

In line-out play. Merivale had a dedicated trio in J Grocott, J. Boyd and J. Pullan. These three gained a preponderance of ball and although the Belfast prop G. Frost did his best to combat them the task was too great. In the tight W. Trotter and D. Pirie (Merivale) and B. Rodgers and P. Savage (Belfast) were never far from the ball.

The Merivale backs were closely guarded by the marauding Belfast forwards; the first five-eighths L. McCaughan was forced to stand very deep to avoid the ministrations of flankers G. Inwood and G. Wells. In the first half P. Brown, the Merivale half-back, dive-passed with sufficient alacrity for his backs to gain the advantage in time they needed. Ramsey’s try came from a very smart blindside movement set going by Brown and McCaughan. This was the brightest piece of play in a ragged game.

An impressive display was given by the Merivale full-back, L. Deady; he caught the ball beautifully—sometimes at full pace—and gained significantly with his touch finders. The referee was Mr A. V. La ng fo :xi.

W. D. l. r. a. Pts. Chch. .. 7 1 163 81 7 New Br. 6 1 1 38 33 64 O Bovs Linwood 6 6 - 2 2 M 107 65 59 6 6 Univ. 5 3 MS 81 5 Manst .. 4 * 4 94 93 4 Suburbs 3 5 43 59 3 Men vale 3 a> 5 70 103 3 Shirley 2 1 5 51 88 24 Albion .. 2 * 6 w 106 2 Belfast .. <2 * 6 59 136 2 Sy den. .. 1 • 7 44 105 1