Old Boys defeat Chch in rugby

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 4

Old Boys defeat Chch in rugby

For the first time this season, Christchurch was unable to find an escape route from the trap it got itself in. Its loss to High School Old Boys in the main Trusteebank Cup rugby match at Denton Oval last evening has left Linwood as the only unbeaten team in section two. Christchurch, down 13-0 at half-time, looked like it was going to make another remarkable recovery when it pulled back to 13-10 with 20 minutes remaining. With the wind at its back and the pack in control, Christchurch had the measure of Old Boys, or so it seemed. The Old Boys captain and half-back, Richard Leggat, transformed the match when he sped through a gap and ran 30m to score In the corner after 28 minutes. Christchurch’s spirits sank and they were completely swamped three minutes later when David Ellis finished a good move with his second try. To add insult to injury, the outstanding tearaway flanker, Stephen Dods, gained a richly deserved try in the final minute. Old Boys played an intelligent game, running the ball only when there was room to manoeuvre and they rocked Christchurch with 10 points inside the first quarter. Although the Christchurch pack exerted some dominance in the period prior to half-time and for 20 minutes after the interval, the backs were not as adept in finding space and the passing fluency did not meet the Old Boys standard. Dods was of tremendous value in the loose, fearlessly, flinging his frame on the ball,

while the big lock, Denis Trembath, was no slouch when it came to chasing the kicked ahead ball. Richard Leggat cleverly handled the Old Boys backline and the hard-running Simon Brown and the nippy right wing, Ellis, made favourable impressions. Andrew McKellar and Ray Waghorn were industrious forwards for Christchurch, and John Currie won the best line-out ball. But the backs seldom penetrated the opposing defence, Lua losefa proving the most dangerous. In the curtain-raiser, Burnside had its second win in section one, beating Sydenham, 16-0. Burnside was not too convincing. It had 75 per cent of possession and its forwards pounded away at the smaller Sydenham pack. However, Sydenham only weakened in the last quarter, conceding 13 points in that period. Sydenham’s defence was brave and the team played enthusiastically if lacking somewhat in skill. Its line-kicking, though, was dismal. Peter Elliston and Michael Lake distinguished themselves for Burnside, while Ned Tamatea, Mark Timms and Andrew Gray stood out for Sydenham. Scorers:High School Old Boys 29: D. Ellis 2, R. Leggat, S. Dods tries; M. Reeves two conversions, three penalty goals. Christchurch 10: M. Treweek try; J. Sprott two penalty goals. Referee: Mr M. L. Fitzgibbon. Burnside 16: M. Lake, P. O’Neil tries; S. Philpott conversion, penalty goal; D. Farrant dropped goal. Sydenham 0. Referee: Mr D. J. Winton.