COLLEGE RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2861, 28 August 1916, Page 8

COLLEGE RUGBY

WANGANUI BEATS CANTERBURY

AN EXCITING GAME

Tho annual i/iter-CuJlege to urn anient was continued at Athletic Park ou Saturday. Wanganui and Christ College (Canterbury) met, and the former won Ivy 12 .points to 10 points. The match attracted tho biggest crowd seen on Athletic Park since the beginning of tho war. They won last year, and this season's team was considered oven stronger. As it turned out, the opposing teams wore about as evenly matched as teams well could bo in both weight and speed. The chief difference between them was that the Wanganui forwards wore inorc, fiery and persistent, nnd their persistency gave them advantages which told well in the team's favour towards the end of the game. Of tho Canterbury forwards tho most noticeable for good work was tho winger, -whoso play stamped hini as a Rugby star of the near future. He was dashing throughout, and made excellent use of "his chances.

.Tho southerners won the toss, and played with a light wind and brilliant sim behind them—big advantages on tlie day. Wanganui drew first blood. They had been on the defensive for some time, ; but mistakes by tho Canterbury backs gavo.'Baddeley an o]>portunity and let Marshall away, and tho latter scored. Tho try was not converted. From that time to the- end of the spell Canterbury attacked without jntermittence. Tliey ran up altogether ten points—two tries, both converted. Their score 'might easily havo boon much greater if moro of tho good chances given the Canterbury hacks had not been thrown away. The in-, sido mon (particularly the brothers Hindmarsh) made openings enough for the scoro to havo been doubled, but bad passing aDd passes dropped lost Canterbury a hatful of points. The first try for' Canterbury was secured by Gerard. Loivry converted. Matson obtained Canterbury's second try, and this also was goaled by Lowry. Halftime came with tho scores standing: Canterbury, 10; Wanganui, 3.

In the second spell Wanganui had the iiso of tho wind, but by then the sun was below the hills and did not trouble Canterbury. AYanganui fought a fino battle to overtake Canterbury's substantial lead, and they succeeded. They attacked continually with the exception of ono short period. First of all D'Arcy crossed the lino and scored. Tho try was not converted. Canterbury, 10; Wanganui, 6 . Later, Mowbray got over, but no goal resulted. Canterbury, 10; Wanganui, 9. With the scores so close, tho game became very exciting. Eventually Jladdeley settlfd tho issue by drop-kicking . a penalty goad. 8o a very fino game ended:, Wanganui, 12; Canterbury, 10. Mr. L. Simpson was referee. The college tournament, which' con. eludes with the meeting between Wellington and Christ's Colleges this afternoon, has proved one of the best series of fixtures seen in Wellington for some, time, and the final game should attract a large attendance. The position at present is that Wellington and Wanga< nui have one win each, so that tbo former, to win the tournament, must scoro a win to-day. If Christ's Collego prevail, the tournament will end with each team ono win each, and if such is trie case, followers of the games will regret it is not possible to play on and so decide which team is really tho better. On Thursday Wanganui quite failed to play up' to expectations whilh against Christ's Collego on Saturday they surprised their supporters by scoring a wm against,what was considered one of the strongest teams which had represented the southern school for some years. The Christchureh team put up ji fine fight in the second spell, and on their form must be hard to beat this afternoon. For those who arrive early a curtainraiser has been arranged, contending teams being representative of l.'etone Districts schools and the City Schools.