COLLEGE RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 18

COLLEGE RUGBY

Wellington Beat St. Patrick’s 18-12

FAST AND HEAVY BACKS

In an attractive Rugby lovtbail match at Athletic Park yesterday, Wellington College beat St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, 18-12, three converted tries and a penalty goal to a try and three pemtKy goals. The surface of the ground was treacherous alter the rain, but the game never dragged, and the heavy Wellington backs handled well aud ran strongij. In the forwards as well as the backs St. Patrick’s gave away a good deal ot weight, but their forwards were nevertheless superior iu every department, particularly line-outs and set scrums, lhe serum packed better and the weight was better timed. The Wellington backs were far superior, their weight and pace indicating that with more of the ball they would probably have run up a big score. Quinn served the St. Patrick s backs patiently, but O’Connor, though he showid Hashes of unusual ability, refused to use his outside men. Only once in the game did he send the ball on. The game was marked by brilliant .fielding and powerful kicking, particularly by Clark, the Wellington full-back. Marshall, for St. Patrick’s, kicked accurately, but was otherwise uncertain. Both sets of backs opened up early, aud Rix-Trott gathered a dropped pass to race downfield. Williams smartiy lielded his short punt and cleared. Judicious kicking took St. Patricks to he Wellington twenty-five, where a penaky in front was turned to advantage by O’Connor. St. Patrick’s 3, Wellington 0. Wellington attacked hotly, and near St Patrick’s line the backs handled trom a 'serum. Green galloped through an opening and sent Flaws over under the posts. Bedingfield converted. Wellington 5, St. Patrick’s 3. St Patrick’s were superior in line-outs aud rucks, but the Wellington backs opened up fro© al- positions. O Connor was dangerous when a Wellington attack broke dowq. until Tweed came back fast to save. The St. Patrick’s forwards continued to show superiority, but on the other side Bedingfield was an experienced defender and directed the attack skilfully with stab-kicks. From well out, ’Culley landed a fine penalty goal, after 25 minutes’ play. Wellington 8, St. Patrick’s 3. The two full-backs, Clark and Marshall, were applauded for clever kicking and fielding, but Clark’s positional play was much better. Flaws, showing great speed off the mark in a slow passing rush, shone in a solo burst. The lighter St. Patrick’s forwards kept possession, and O’Connor was content to nurse his forwards by powerful, kicking. When in danger, however, Wellington were able to heel, tyid half-time saw Vaughan clear from under the posts.

Strong-running Backs.

Culley-had a good attempt from a penalty soon after resumption, and a weak clearing kick gave him a chance to run ro the St. Patrick’s line. The Wellington backs were fed and Green with a powerful fend made an opening for Flaws to cross. Bedingfield had no difficulty with the kick. Wellington 13, St. Patrick’s 3. The more experienced and heavier Wellington rearguard began to monopolise the attack, but the St. Patrick’s forwards still had plenty of life. They heeled the ■ ball in Wellington territory and O’Connor was allowed to run through a big gap. He landed a penalty goal from an easy position after the forwards had carried on the attack. Wellington 13, St. Patrick’s 6. The St Patrick’s forwards won the ball several times in succession, but O’Connor, though able to beat his man, was starving his outsides. Long kicks took Wellington out of their own half again and the backs engaged in powerful rushes. Only sound tackling by Marshall and the three-quarters kept them out. St. Patrick’s returned to the attack and continued to win the ball from scrums and rucks, but O’Connor persisted in giving away possession. From striking distance, though well out, Burns succeeded with j penalty goal. Wellington 13, St. Patrick’s 9. The second spell had progressed half an hour. Wellington were a man short until Elliott replaced Vaughan, who retired injured, but long kicks took play to the St. Patrick's line, where Marshall was caught in possession and Holden forced hie way over. Bedingfield was again successful and Wellington led' 18-9. With only a minute to go, the St. Patrick's forwards staged a determined rush io Wellington territory. Quinn made ground with a solo run, and the forwards heeled quickly for the half to send O’Connor over on the blind side. The kick failed, and the final score was Wellington College 18, St. Patrick's College 12. The teams were:—

Wellington College; B. Clark; A. G. Rix-Trott, E. P. Flaws, J. M. Tweed; J. W. Green, J. D. Bedingfield; O. Vaughan; E. M. Holden, M. W. Falloon. M. Glengarry; H. R. Tattersail, A. W. Hollis. Al. Gapes, A. W. Jenkins; E. G. Culley. St. Patrick’s College; D. Afarshall; A. Williams, E. Burns, W. Hocquard, N. Hastings. B. O’Connor: F. Quinn; P. Cataldo, J. McNeil. D. Gardiner; A. McLachlan, F. O’Sullivan, L. Dudron, R. Hassett; W. Maskill. The referee was Mr. W. J. Ryan.