INTERSCHOOLS RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 21786, 31 July 1934, Page 5

INTERSCHOOLS RUGBY

CHRIST’S COLLEGE WINS CLOSE GAME WITH OTAGO Solid rather than brilliant Rugby marked the annual match between the first fifteens of Otago Boys’ High School and Christ’s College (Christchurch), which was played at Carisbrook yester day afternoon before 1,500 spectators, College winning a stubbornly-contested game by 10 points to 5, a feature being the fine defence of both sides. There was not much to choose between the teams, and labile College had the better of the first spell territorially, Otago more than held its own in the second half. College used -its weight to advantage in the scrums, but its greater share of the ball was nullified by the good work of the fast-breaking Otago forwards whose loose play, too, was full of dash. Geary was frequently at the head of the loose rushes, and his line-out play was also good. J. R. M'Kenzie and N. M, Knox were another pair who often showed out in the loose, and 0. E. Smith battled hard in the tight, and often got back to fill the gap in, the field. While the Otago backs bad fewer opportunities than their opponents, they took part in a few good concerted movements although on both sides the ball came rather slowly from , the scrum. Mahony, at second five-eighth, played an outstanding game for Otago, making many fine openings, and showing keep anticipation of the run 1 of play, his speed off the mark frequently catching the College backs napping. He and C. M. Forrester (centre) had , a nice understanding of each other’s play, and it was a pity more chances did not come their way. The College forwards-worked hard m the tight, J. D. Wylde-Brown playing a solid came: while both in tight and loose J.W. Masefield was always in the picture, H. B.Hay was noticeable for good - following up, and the scrum work of the padk generally was quite good. Crisp, the College balf-back, was too inclined to run from the scrum, and his passes wore not always.of the best. Byrne, at first five-eighth, was too slow, and he upset Ormond’s play with the result that Holderness, a strong straight-running centre, did not get the chances be deserved. Harpur, on the wing, also had few chances, but when the nail did come his way he showed himself to be a speedy three-quarter and a hard man to stop. The respective full-backs—Alexander (Christ’s College) and Edwards- (School) both played safe games, but Alexander got the-greater, length in his kicks. College played in the traditional black- and white livery, School wearing dark blue jerseys. FIRST SPELL. Christ’s College kicked off, and Scott returned to touch at halfway. From a scrum Crisp sent Byrne away on the short side, Byrne sending a reverse pass to Ormond, who was tackled at the twenty-five. Crisp was endeavouring to open up play, but bis passes were not too well directed, and he was inclined to rim. from the scrum. Play hung around ’ halfway for a while, but from a line-out Hay broke through and passed to Harpur, who kicked upfield, Edwards finding touch at halfway. A free kick improved Otago’s position, and the Blue forwards surged towards the College line, Scott trying to force his way over after receiving from a ruck, but- Harpur stopped him and found touch. College was obtaining from the scrums, but the School tackling was solid, and passing did not get very far. College looked dangerous wheu Crisp sent the backs away in passing which reached Holderness, who was checked, but broke out ot a tackle and regained possession, a loose rush taking play to the Otago line. Geary and ixuox eased the tension by going through to haltway m a fine piece or dribbling. Although College still commanded the greater share of ball from the scrums, the Otago. forwards were breaking quickly and getting in among the visitors’ backs, and after College passing broke down Mahony, who was always in the picture, dribbled to the College twenty-five. Forrester carried on, kick. 1 through, and picked up to dive across the line for a good try. Mahony converted. Otago B.H.S. ... ... ... 5 Christ’s College ... 0 College backs tried further passing, but the inside men were too slow, and the -movement swung across field, .Holderness failing to take his pass. The Otago forwards went ’through to halfway, and Little carried on to the College twenty-five. College again heeled Irom a scrum, but with his backs in ood position Crisp ran from the scrum and found touch at halfway, Masefield broke through _ the Otago twentyfive, Scott relieving with a kick to touch at halfway. Ormond made a penetrating run and cut in nicely beioie passing to > ■ Hay, the _ fast-following forward being tackled just short of the line. The College forwards tackled strongly for a while, but Smith came .through quickly to catch Crisp before he could get his backs moving. Har-

per kicked the ball over the line, and in a race for it Hardy got there in time to force.

Geary, who was playing a good game, was at the head of a School dribbling rush to halfway. . Masefield made a good run, but Otago was relieved by a free kick. So far few chances had come the way of Harper, but he made a good run along the wing before being brought down. Mahony, Forrester, and Hardy were in a nieg piece of concerted play, but the movement was checked by Masefield who fielded Hardy’s kick and led a rush beyond the College twenty-five. Geary opened up one or two passing bouts from the line-outs, but each time no ground was gained until the ball reached Mahony, who was one of the few backs who showed any thrust. Knox led a School rush to the College twenty-five, and after College passing had broken down at Ormond Somerville dribbled through to the Otago twenty-five, Smith driving the visitors back with a kick upfield. It was a fast game, with solid tackling preventing passing from getting far. Holderness placed College on attack with a long kick to touch, and following a scrum Harpur came round and passed to Ormond, who gave to Holderness for the centre to make a bold bid for the line to score. Alexander converted. Christ’s College ... w. 5 Otago B.H.S 5, Otago was kept on the defensive, the College forwards returning to School territory. The College backs all handled in their best passing so far, Harpur being brought down by Reid a few yards from the line. Then from short-side passing Byrne was nearly over. A loose scramble followed, and Newton picked up to score. Alexander converted with a fine kick. Christ’s College 10 Otago B.H.S 5 •College maintained the pressure, and Somerville led a loose rush to the line, half-time being sounded with the score Christ’s College 10 Otago B.H.S 5 SECOND SPELL. College opened ont in passing at the commencement of the second spell, but Mahony broke up the movement and found the line with a splendid kick that found the corner, while Forrester put the ball ont in the same place a moment later. School made strenuous efforts to score, and from a scrum well inside College’s territory Mahony went for the line on his own 2 but was held up just short of his objective. Little also made a determined dash, which terminated at the corner flag. For off-side play School were awarded a penalty, Mahony’s kick shading the posts. From loose play in the visitors territory Crisp sent his backs away, Ormond kicking through to Edwards, who fielded well and sent the ball out at halfway. A penalty kick to School, and, taken by Chapman from 30yds out, fell short, and College again cleared. School returned to the attack, Smith punting downfield to Harpur, the College wing putting in a fine run before being thrown into touch. Holderness was prominent in a strong dash that shifted play inside School’s territory. Following a lineout Harpur. Somerville, and Holderness were associated in a bout of in-and-out passing that had the School line in danger. Hay forced himself to within 10yds of the'line, but Edwards brought him down with a solid tackle. With a concerted effort the School pack came away in a dribbling rush that transferred the ball to the other end, Holderness nicking up in great style and running down the flank, the effort being held up by a wild pass. Geary, who was always in the thick of the forward play, made a solo dribble that gained 20yds, while from a scrum this player and Sise beaded another incursion, which was stopped by Alexander. The School forwards were playing a great game in the loose, and for a period had College penned in their own territory. A free kick by Chapman fell short, and Wylde-Brown led the College pack back to halfway. School maintained the pressure, and Mahony cut in well before short-punt-ing, and College forced. Harper was responsible for transferring play to School’s territory with a long kick, and from the ensuing play Harper went over, but was recalled, and a series of scrums and tight work took place on School’s line. Crisp initiated movements that went from one wing to the other, but solid tackling kept the line clear. Headed Tiy M'Kenzie and Little the School forwards saved a dangerous oosition by dribbling back to halfway. At this stage Holderness was injured. Jamesou taking his place. Crisp pu? his side on attack with a good kick, and Harper (who had just previously had his jersey torn off him) gathered in the hall and ran, minus his garment, to well inside School’s twenjjy-five Toward the end of the game College came away in, a final rally, but Forrester secured and found touch, the game ending:— Christ’s Otago Boys’ High School 5 Mr H. C. Williamson was the referee. THE CURTAIN-RAISER SOUTH OTAGO BEAT OTAGO HIGH’S THIRDS A keen and closely-contested game was provided by South Otago High School first fifteen and the Otago Boys’ High School third fifteen in the first match. The visitors showed a little better combination in tho backs, and won by 6 points to 3. For South Otago Grimshaw scored a try and Throp kicked a penalty goal, while for Otago Harris scored. The teams were:—

South Otago High School.—Willocks, Cochrane, Blair, Grimshaw, Green, Anderson, Murray, M'Farlane, James, Brown, M'Kinney, Crook, M'Millan, Throp, Geddes. Otago Boys’ High School.—M'Leocl, Cameron, Chandler, Murdoch, Allen, Maslin, Morrison, Brown, Eckhoff, Harris, Coutts, Henderson, Mee, Tuck, Ferguson. Mr W. J. Duff was the referee.