NARROW WIN FOR BEDE’S

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 9

NARROW WIN FOR BEDE’S

Try With Five Min. Left

A try five minutes from the end by S. T. Borkin gained St. Bede's College a narrow victory over St. Patrick’s College (Wellington) in their annual match at St. Bede’s yesterday. The 3-0 victory allowed St. Bede's to regain the Holley Shield, won last year by St. Patrick s. 19-5.

The teams were:— St. Bede's.—R. J. Urquhart; P. G. Gillespie. W. J. Sutherland, B. M. Teen; F. V. Sevele, F. P. O'Donnell; C. J. Frank; M. F. Craddock; A. T. Elgie. M D. Giera, P. W. Duncan. S. T. Borkin; J. Ryan, C. M. McSherry, p. A. T. Thwaites (captain). St. Patrick’s.—H. Stephen; R. Wall. P. Fitzharris, D. Smith; R. Gray (captain), T. Lee; T Ratcliffe; P. Darrock; T. Wilson. M. McKinley, M. Robbers. S. McPherson; E. Solia, D. Benton. M. Morrissey.

The match was spoiled by the wet ground and persistent rain, but both teams attempted to throw the ball about. However, clean handling was impossible and the ball seldom reached the wings from set play. St. Bede’s used the better tactics, with the five-eighths. O’Donnell, kicking intelligently, and the forwards taking the ball in dribbling rushes. St. Patrick s, on the other hand, tried to pass the ball out to. Wall, the national 446 yards and Wellington collegiate sprint champion, but the conditions usually saw to it that the ball did not reach him.

On a fine day the tussle between Wall and Teen (St. Bede's) would have been an interesting one. It was an unusual experience for Teen to be up against a faster man. He is the Canterbury collegiate sprint champion, but Wall has recorded faster times.

Urquhart, the St. Bede’s fullback, was very safe: Teen and Gillespie received few chances, although Teen had one 70-yard run which ended only a few yards from the goal-line; Sutherland was safe on defence but Sevele allowed his opposite number. Gray, too much room O’Donnell played confidently and kicked intelligently for his outside backs, but Frank had a difficult day behind the forwards. especially when St Patrick’s burst through the lineouts. In the St. Bede’s pack Borkin and Elgie gave the backs no latitude. Borkin showing quick anticipation to dive on the ball for the winning points. McSherry, Ryan and Giera worked hard in the tight, while Duncan and Craddock led dribbling rushes. Thwaites led his team efficiently and played an excellent game. The referee was Mr C. Taylor.