St Andrew's College First XV World Rugby Tour 1987-1988

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 49

St Andrew's College First XV World Rugby Tour 1987-1988

Strong build-up for world tour

St Andrew’s College has only twice won the Christchurch interschool championship in successive years. Coincidently the achievements of the 1936 and 1937 teams were matched exactly 50 years later by the teams of 1986 and 1987. A recent assembly at the College, attended by 12 of the 1936 and 1937 teams plus a number of prominent rugby men connected with the College, recognised the achievements of both, sides. The assembly was addressed by Mr John Walker who captained both the 1936 and 1937 teams and the Trustbank trophy was presented to this year’s captain, James Sloss. Certificates were presented to all boys mak-

ing Canterbury representative teams in 1987 by the College’s most prominent rugby Old Boy, Mr Alex Wyllie. This year’s first fifteen continued on the winning trail established by the 1986 side and completed an outstanding two years for the College. In successive years the side won the Christchurch interschool title as well as the sixth grade pennant — an honour it shared with Christ’s College in 1986.

Rated the top side in the South Island last year and thus representing Southern Regions in the New Zealand tournament at Pukekohe, St Andrew’s compiled a formidable record. The only loss was a

narrow 18-19 defeat in a club game in May.

After that the side went undefeated, winning the remaining club games, all local interschool games plus the traditional fixtures against schools from outside Christchurch — Timaru Boys’ High School, Rathkeale College (Masterton), St Kevin’s College (Oamaru) and Scots College (Wellington).

For those members of the St Andrew’s first fifteen not involved in representative commitments the August holidays were a welcome but short break from rugby.

As other secondary school players looked forward to their summer sports, members of the St Andrew’s side returned to

a conditioning programme designed to have them at peak fitness for the six week World tour.

Chris Hampton was the only member of this year’s side unavailable for the tour and to cater for such a demanding programme four members of the second fifteen have been added to the touring party. During the six week tour the side will play eleven games — two in Hong Kong, one in Switzerland, one in France, two in Wales, three in England and two in Scotland. The 23 players will be coached by two of the present coaches, Alister Newton and Scott Cartwright, and managed by John Sinclair. Medical interests of the team will be catered for

by Darren Walton and a contingent of about 15 supporters will travel with the team.

With games against the combined Hong Kong schools side, the Swiss Junior team and the Leicestershire Under Age County side the itinerary will prove demanding.

The boys know that the games against the Welsh schoolboy sides will not be easy either. One of the highlights for the College team with Scottish traditions will surely be the games against Robert Gordon College in Aberdeen and Fettes College in Edinburgh. Two of the English opponents, Sevenoaks and Oakham have both toured New

Zealand recently and played against St Andrew’s. The team will be billeted for much of the time but hotel accommodation has been organised in London and Paris. Many people are being generous in their offers of hospitality, including an ex-patriot New Zealander who has invited the whole touring party for Christmas dinner in Leicestershire.

Mainly through the efforts of the team and a very active parent committee, fundraising has continued over the last six months. The business community has been generous in its support to reach the target of $70,000.