St Andrew’s wastes ball

Press, 21 July 1976, Page 6

St Andrew’s wastes ball

St Andrew’s College had onl\ > itself to blame for its 6-W to Timaru Box s’ High School in j a hard-fought rugby game on its home ground yesterdaj. Certainly. Timaru scored two| good tries to none but the local; side’s backs had a -ton of ball, over tiie last lamin but wasted: the scoring opportunities. On at half u dozen occasions the St Andrew s backs make inroads into the nmaru 22m line but when a try looked on. the backs outside them cither hesitated and were caught by the defence or threw wild passes which only a 7ft basketbailer could have taken. When there was still about 15 minutes left. St Andrew > elected to lake a tap penaltx rather than attempt the relatively simple kick from the opposing 22m line. Three more points would have narrowed the gap to just one point. The St Andrew’s forwards played with purpose and Murray Shipley and Ste\ e Benton took some good ball in the line-outs but most of the backs lacked tiie penetration tiiat was often evident in their counterparts. Perhaps displaying his lack of confidence in his back-line t tie

itirst five-eighths. Alister Roberts, 4 kicked often, belli on attack and 11 defence. Some of bis efforts • failed abysmally and too man, were charged down but ii. ■ better kick- were be. -utifu. I ! placed and gained many \aluab'. I'metrcs He also made one lovely I swerving run. | Two penalties by the full-back ildiris Sloss, allowed St Andr. .. I the luxury of a draw a l.alf i time but twice It was iat y, . I unlucky not to score—once a st i Andrew's player was just beate- ■ to the loose bail ovei the goal I line and late in the half the left . wing. Alee Baxter. i-barged down a kick and went over but wa.* apparently called back fi - . a knoek-oti. Timaru’s points came from .- ■ first half try by the ■ :.-e ■ captain. Duncan McDonald, eie ■ verted by Brent Harris, and n. bx the young second five-eigl.tl--Martin Shirteliff. in tin seemtd spell. The visitors dominated t nicks and a number ol ns •. i wards impressed with their vigour—although a little unc >i> . trolled at times The hoeki D-an McDoneell. captured th.- ■ tight heads in quick »ucce> lin the first half