Shirley Beats Strong Rongotai Rugby Side

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31412, 4 July 1967, Page 16

Shirley Beats Strong Rongotai Rugby Side

The odds were against the Shirley Boys’ High School first XV on its home ground yesterday. Its opponent, the Rongotai College first XV, fielded a heavier pack, a speedy wing three-quarter line and had three times as much ball as Shirley. But by Its commendable approach to attacking Rugby, Shirley deservedly won the game, 3-0, the only score being a penalty goal in the tenth minute. The teams were:—

Shirley Boys' High School.— M. Abbott (captain); K. Cowles, P. Barnett, D. Steel; I. Whitehead, B. Cochrane; B. Rollo; M. Wheatley; W. Ormandy, W. Thorner, T. Ivory, B. Yeatman; H. Anderson, G. Walker, K. Miller.

Rongotai College.—B. Macßae; G. Fitzsimmons, J. Balasoglou, P. Sutton; M. Hansen, G. Griffith; K. Ditchburn; G. Nisbett; J. Wilkie, R. Meagher H. Gamble, M. Bridge; J. Rollings (captain), K. Jones, N. Stewart. Shirley made little impression from set play, but when the ball was loose the side came into its own. The backs, with Whitehead often prominent, made several telling thrusts, and the forwards made a strong contribution tn the second half by taking the ball ahead in surging rushes. In the first half Rongotai enjoyed a flve-to-one advantage in possession, and the backs had numerous opportunities. The running, however, was lethargic, the passing lacked crispness, and there were no departures from orthodox attacking. Shirley’s defence, with Abbott playing the leading role, dealt with the situation comfortably.

Shirley tied the game up in

the forwards for much of the second half, and Rongotai contributed to the slower tempo by Its persistence with hard, flat throws into the line-out. By following this pattern it played into Shirley’S hands, for the home side was usually first to the loose ball and was able to exert pressure on its opponent for most of the half.

Rongotai realised the error of its ways, and for the last 10 minutes it reverted to its original policy of playing to its backs. The Shirfey line was under considerable pressure until the end, and the home side was perhaps fortunate that Rongotai had made the earlier tactical error.

Although he made several mistakes, Abbott always recovered spectacularly, and his aggressing running from full-back helped Shirley considerably. Ormandy was a prominent figure in the loose, and Anderson led the tight forwards effectively. Nisbett (Rongotai) was the dominant figure in the line-outs, and Ditchburn, the half-back, distributed the ball well. Fitzsimmons was the most penetrative runner in the backs, and his team moved much better when he switched from wing to centre.

Shirley’s penalty goal was kicked by Cowles. Referee: Mr H. P. Kearney. Other Sports

Shirley had the better of its inter-school contests against Rongotai, held during the last two days. Results were:— Rugby (second XVs). —Shirley 6, Rongotai 0. Soccer.—Shirley 2, Rongotai 1. Hockey.—Shirley 5, Rongotai 0.

Badminton. Rongotai 9 games. Shirley 0. Squash Rackets.—Shirley 9 games, Rongotai 0. Indoor Basketball.—Shirley 17, Rongotai 15. Rongotai won the debating contest.