Crucial rugby game for secondary schools

Press, 19 July 1988, Page 32

Crucial rugby game for secondary schools

The fight to be the champion secondary school rugby team in Christchurch this season is heating up, and this afternoon Christchurch Boys’ High School faces its arch rival, Christ’s College, in a crucial match.

Boys’ High should start as favourite due to its impressive form so far this season; its only hitch has been a 9-17 loss to St Andrew’s. The 10-6 victory over the strong Shirley Boys’ High School has been its undoubted highlight to date.

Shirley Boys, who beat St Thomas of Canterbury College, 25-13, last Saturday, have been impressive. Wins in its remaining matches

against Christ’s College and Cathedral College, will give them, at worst, a share of the title. The defending champion, St Andrew’s, has suffered two losses, as has St Bede’s, which virtually dismisses any hopes either side have of taking the championship. However, both sides are playing impressive rugby, which was evident in last Saturday’s encounter between the two sides. St Andrew’s recovered from a 0-12 deficit to win the match, 13-12. Christ’s College’s only loss this season was 7-13 against St Bede’s, but its two remaining matches, against Boys’ High and Shirley Boys’ High,

will be by far its toughest. Today’s annual clash between Boys' High and Christ’s College should be close. Both sides have talent on show, with an impressive No. 8 forward, Brian Hutchison, for Christ’s, and two key flankers, Michael McKnight and Angus Gardiner, for Boys’ High. However, a key role in the performance of the Boys’ High side will come from its fullback, Glenn Davis, who will be out to make amends for his dismal kicking performance in last year’s 0-6 loss in the annual match. A large crowd is expected at the Boys’ High grounds for the 2.45 p.m. match.