COLLEGES AT PLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 18, 21 July 1932, Page 20

COLLEGES AT PLAY

WELLINGTON DEFEAT ST. PATRICK'S

Except for tho enthusiasm "on the bank," there was little in tho occasion oE the annual match between the first fifteens o£ Wellington College and St. Patrick's College (Wellington), at Athletic Park yesterday afternoon, to make it compare favomably with many of the past contests. Probably there was a reason for this in the bitterly cold weather, and also in the fact that the main strength oE St. Patrick's College is now at Silverstream, while the Wellington College fifteen was not at full strength. The effect o.t the strong, bitmg southerly was made apparent during the course o£ play, a greater part of the proceedings taking Bart in tho northern half of the playinc area. St. Patrick's College held the advantage in tho first spell, but it was not so great-as that held by Wellington Coliege m the second spell, and turning it to better account Wellington won convincingly by 15 points to C. Most of the effective play was carripd out by the forwards, those of Wellington showing up well m the second spell and overcoming to, some extent the handicap ofHtaing unable to secure much of the ball, caused i Rn a!*~ red front row- Each team adopted a different formation, St. Patrick's packing 3-4rl and Wellington 3-3-2, and iq was also interesting to observe that, except in the set sciums, Si. Patrick's employed a wing-forward. Many of the attempts at back play were nipped in the bud by fast T?i eakaways and effective marking, and many failed through players failing to let lao ball out. The back play generally left much to be desired. In spite of the conditions, both teams remained on the field at half-time, during Which some players were more fortunate than others in haying coats supplied to them as shields against the keen southerly. Replacement of injured players was not permitted. One player, P. Gray, of Wellington College, left the field, but returned after receiving attention. The attendance was poor, and in view of the object Jor which the match was played it was unfortunate that the weather was unfavourable. The teams were:— • Wellington College: Tricklebank; T Ongley, Hallewell, Dickey; Paitai, P. M* Gray;-Sailler; Souness, O'Loughlin, Wall! C. M. Ongley, Crawley, A. G; Gray Truscott, Milne.

St. Patrick's College: Ryan;" Timmins, McDonald, Mexted; Parsonage,' McDermott- Elliott; Fisher, Moleta,- Galloway B. deary. Wooller, G. Cleary, Meachen, Dennehy. v The captains were Sadler (Wellington) »nd Timmins (St. Patrick's). Playing with the wind in the first spell St. Patrick's College held a decided advantage territorially, but, although they gained a very plentiful supply of tho ball Ironi the numerous scrummages, their penetrative .work was lacking in polish. The-first try was registered when a relieving kick was charged down-, Dennehy picking' up and going over unopposed. Timmins failed to convert. In subsequent play Wellington Collego held the opposition quite well, and'on one occasion looked like scoring when play was halted for a pass that the referee apparently ruled iorward. .Just afterwards a good penalty tick'by O'Loiighlin failed narrowly, ,the ball striking an upright. Further advances ty St. Patrick's College had the desired result" when Elliott "worked the blind" and Mexted touched down fox* a try near the corner. Dennehy failed with the kick. The play generally was loose in character, "with St. Patrick's College doing most of the attacking. Towards the close of the spell, however, Wellington exerted strong pressure, the forwards being supported by snappy work by the backs. T. Ongley capped the movement with a try, which O'Loughlin was unable to convert. 6-3.

The second, spell had not been long in progress before it became apparent that St. Patrick's College would be put to an even more difficult defensive 'task than \vds the case with -Wellington College in the first spell. The Wellington forwards worked with a will, getting a better supply of the ball and moving briskly on attack. The backs did not operate very effectively as a combination, but they were able to give useful support to tho forwards in spite of some smart spoiling work by; St v Patrick's. O'Loughlin evened' up •the scores vr\th a- splendid y penalty goal, and after that C. Ongley forced his way over from a line-out. "Neat dribbling by .Wall and Crawley resulted in • Crawley adding,a try, and it was not long afterwards that Sadler gave a taste of his cleverness in cutting through for a splen~did try. The tries were not converted, and St. Patrick's failing to add to their account the match ended: Wellington Col-, lege 15, St. Patrick's College 0. Mr. A. Hooper was the referee. | The early match between other teams I Irora! the two colleges was also won by IWeUington hy 17 points to 6. For the winners Standidge-Williams scored three tties and Sissell and Collins one each, Standidge-Williams converting a try. Grace and Cunningham each kicked a penalty goal for St. Patrick's College. i