Wellington College Wins Tournament

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 17

Wellington College Wins Tournament

Wellington College encountered unexpectedly strong opposition from Christ’s College in winning the inter-collegi-ate quadrangular Rugby tournament for the third successive year at Christ’s College yesterday. Sterling efforts by the Christ's College forwards against their bigger opponents enabled the home side to lead, 5-3. at half-time. Wellington did not gain the lead until eight minutes after halftime but it scored three tries in the last 13 minutes to boost its winning score to 17-5.

Wanganui Collegiate School ended the tournament with the wooden spoon, for it was beaten, 19-3, by Nelson College in the game between the first round losers.

The games, which were played on a hard ground in bright sunshine, whipped up unbounded enthusiasm among the teams’ supporters. A large Wellington College contingent, complete with banners and a set of bagpipes, was the most vocal and although it was engaged in a rousing little skirmish with some Christ’s College boys near the side-line at half-time and one of its members received a ducking in the Avon, it retained sufficient enthusiasm to storm the field after the final whistle. Tenth Victory It was Wellington College’s tenth victory in the tournament since the contest became quadrangular in 1925. Nelson College has won 12 times, Christ's College seven and Wanganui Collegiate four. Determined Forwards The great spirit shown by the Christ’s College forwards enabled their team to stay in the game until the last quarter of an hour, when Wellington College raced away to put the result beyond doubt.

At the outset Wellington appeared to have every advantage. The forwards were tall

and splendidly built—two members of the Christ’s College front row gave away about 12 inches in height to the Wellington College locks —and the backs were fleetfooted and enterprising. And in the half-back, M. G. Monaghan, it had one of the best players of the tournament. His passing and intelligent running stamped him as a fine young footballer. What Christ’s College lacked in size and speed it made up for in unflagging determination. Its forwards battled to such purpose that although Wellington College won much of the ball, it was often denied dean possession. When the ball was passed along the Wellington backs the Christ’s College forwards were quick to cover and were often first to the break-down.

In S. L. Letica, Wellington College had a forward of tremendous proportions and the other tight forwards were only one degree smaller. Only in the latter stages were they able to drive Christ’s College back and give their backs an added advantage on attack. The rucking of the Wellington forwards was one of the features of the match.

Monaghan made many brilliant runs and G. H. Ussher was effective in entering the backs from the blind side wing. The best move of all was by M. Sayers, the second five-eighths, who ran in for a try after a 30yd sprint from set play. Christ’s College played its usual No. 8, S. J. Hunt, at half-back and while his passing was weak and hindered the effectiveness of the backs he compensated for it with his solidity around the fringes of the rucks and mauls. N. R. Armstrong, the second fiveeighths, was the most dangerous back. A sharp cut-in brought him a try between the posts. All the Christ’s College forwards played well, with J. A. T. Dawson and M. G. Gould making particularly good contributions.

For Wellington College,. G. H. Uttley, R. G. Forbes, M. Sayers and G. H. Ussher scored tries, Forbes converting one and kicking a penalty goal. Armstrong scored for Christ’s College and N. W. Wilder converted. The teams were:— Wellington College.—J. W. Gould: G. H. Ussher, R. G. Forbes, G. H. Uttley; M. Sayers, D. J. Simpson; M. G. Monaghan; A. Rongo; G. B. MacLachlan, J. M. Green, S. L. Letica, D. J. De Lisle; A. E. Keown, D. A. Lingard (captain), P, E. Castle. Christ’s College.—N. W. Wilder; E. A. Pearson, B. R. Lake (captain), P. H. B. Hall: N. R. Armstrong, D. J. Murchison; S. J. Hunt; J. A. T. Dawson: T. J. Morris, C. T. Waldegrave, R. H. Austin, M. B. Smith; C. T. D. Sandall, M. G. Gould, G. J. Hennessy. The referee was Mr A. R. Taylor.