RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 23038, 17 August 1938, Page 4

RUGBY

SECONDARY SCHOOLS GAMES TABLES TURNED ON XING'S ' Though eight points down in the first spell, the Otago Boys’ High School first fifteen turned the tables on the King’s High team at the Caledonian Ground yesterday, dominating play over the closing stages to snatch victory by the odd point in the final few minutes, thus making the honours even for the meets between the two schools. It was a surprise victory in many respects, for in the first period there was little enterprising play by the winners—King’s had much the better of the forward play, while more than holding their own in the rearguard. Otago fought back very strongly, however, and looked a different team altogether, swinging the ball freely and precisely, after they had settled down in the second. The teams:—

King’s High.—Backs: J. A. Valentine, D. B. Clark. H. J. Sapsford (captain), A. H. Chetwin, T. F. Geary, D. H. Murdoch, J. B. M'Gregor. Forwards: W. D. Ward, E. H. Howland, G. S. Williams, J. H. M'lver, J. A. Rogers, J. M. Smithson, J. A. Joel, D. R. Sapsford. Otago Boys’ High.—Backs; C, I. Overton, R. G Black, R. P. Partridge, J. A. M'Pherson, R. G. Gough. J. M. Wilkinson, N. A. Frew. Forwards: D. C. Stevens, R. G. Pile, F. K. Rennie, R. G. Gillespie, D. I. Chisholm, D. A. Miller, M. J. L. Phelan. R. B. Cameron.

King’s had the advantage of a breeze, and rushed play deep into their opponents’ territory. Frew relieved the pressure with a splendid run from back of the scrum, and Otago attacked vigorously. Solid work by the forwards in getting the ball cleanly from the scrums gave Otago’s backs a chance to swing into action, but repeated sallies found the defence on the alert. Otago maintained the pressure, but were repeatedly sent < back through infringements. A long kick by Valentine _ sent King’s away, and scrummaging carried plav to the rival line. From the ruck M‘lver fell over to open the account. D. Sapsford con? verted. . . Another period of rucking terminated with Otago dribbling strongly over, but the ball bounced out of play, unluckily for the attackers. Now it was King’s turn to win the scrums, but poor kicking by the inside backs nullified any advantage. A determined run by Valentine carried play onward, and Murdoch followed on with a speedjr burst. In the scrums the Blues weight told. Back on their own line again, Otago fought back strongly, but King’s were not to be denied, and Joel dived over from the ruck. Sapsford’s kick missed. King s 8, Otago 0. Often the Otago left winger made penetrating runs down the line, but he did not get support from his inside men, and King’s cleared without difficulty. Wilkinson worked neatly from the scrum to gain some distance, but, with his back line in fine formation, he threw a wild pass. Two free kicks and judicious line-finding took the side within striking distance, but fast covering-up tactics kept the back line out. Despite several passing movements with the wliole line handling, there was lack of precision—-at the critical moment the attack failed through dropped or ill-directed-exchanges. M'Pherson, on the Otago left wing, made several determined runs, but he was either pushed out or caught a few yards from his objective. Even right on the line tho Otago backs were pushed back by a better pack, and, despite holding the territorial advantage almost throughout, they failed to register during the period. , Though they made several rearguard attacks°at the opening of the second spell. Otago did not look dangerous, and King’s took a hand when awarded a free kick for off-side play. Sapsford made a fine attempt to goal from about 40vds out. Hard-working forwards maintained the pressure; Otago did not get the assistance of the wind, which had dropped meantime. Now tho King’s backs were swinging into more concerted action, and gained a lot of ground. M'Pherson was again robbed of a chance after a good solo burst for Otao-o when the ball outpaced him and became dead. The best passing movement of the day went from one side of the field to the other after M'Pherson had been hemmed in on the left; about nine Otago men handled, but dangerous play ended with a bad pass. Otago now began to bustle the opposition, and from a penalty at an acute angle Partridge hoisted three points. King’s 8, Otago 3. Hectic forward onslaughts kept King’s on the defensive, but repeated kicking sent Otago back. When a Bhie-and-White back chain failed, King’s broke away, but Otago were soon bark at the line. After knocking at the door for many minutes. M Pherson went Aver at the corner .for a try, but. Partridge’s kick failed. King’s 8, Offaw 6. _ ~ Now the game assumed a different aspect; fortunes had swung in the favour of Otago, and they were definitely on top. Gough tried to pot a field goal. It was only a matter of time before Otago went over again—they were now playing a sterling game, and Phelan went over at the corner. The kick missed, and the scores at the final whistle were:— Otago Bovs’ High School ... 5) King’s High School ... 8 Mr J. M. Briggs controlled the game. ST. KEVIN'S (DAMARU) TOO CLEVER M'GLASHAN COLLEGE HEAVILY DEFEATED Taking complete control when the second spell was half spent, St. Kevin’s College (Oamaru) defeated John M'Glashan College to the tune of 34-11 in the annual match yesterday afternoon at Bishopscourt. But whatever the score, the game was typically open and very fast, there not being a dull moment throughout, even when the heavier, bigger, and faster Oamaru side was piling on the points towards the end. M'Glashan College contested play keenly, and it was not till the pace of the visitors began to take its toll, when the scores were St. Kevin’s 17-11, that there was any indication that victory would be a rather overwhelming one. Served with plenty of the ball in the first session and tackling hard, the •M'Glashan backs matched the Oamaru team, and they were accorded every assistance by the pack, which followed up fast and was just as resourceful as the visiting forwards. The St. Kevin’s inside backs played a clever game in the second spell and varied their play nicely. The teams; — John M'Glashan College.—Backs: M'Gregor, Baker, Carson, Paterson, W. Wilson, Elvidge, J. Wilson. Forwards:

M'Douall, Betting, Ritchie, Austin, Mail, Moore, Carr, Boyes. St. Kevin’s College.—Backs: Kearney, Fox, O’Kane, M‘Lean, Hally, M'Kone, Neylon, 1. Fallon. Forwards: Boyle, C. Hally, M'Goldrick, O’Brien, P. Fallon, Muir, M'Combie. The first session commenced with rare dash, repeated thrusts by both sets of backs promising one of those sparkling open games characteristic of school football. Two chances of scoring were presented St. Kevin’s early, but the defence was sound. Scon M'Glashan changed the venue of proceedings, and Elvidge and Carson in turn made strong runs. The backs were well served with the ball by the diminutive Wilson, and the St. Kevin’s line was assailed repeatedly. On ono occasion fast following-up by Botting and Boyes nearly brought success. Then St. Kevin’s cleared splendidly, and O’Kane, M'Kone, and M. Hally indulged in _ snappy passing that went within striking distance. Several times the Oamaru team nearly scored, and then C. Hally kicked a goal. St. Kevin’s 3, M'Glashan College 0. It was now that St. Kevin’s made all the play, the backs keeping their positions better and showing much more thrust. Neylor and M'Lean each nearly' crossed, and proceedings were staged in M'Glashan’s twenty-five. After the former had almost succeeded I. Fallon received from the loose and scored. C. Hally converted with a good kick, and shortly after was _ successful with a penalty, • St. Kevin’s now led 11-0. So far, one of the features of M'Glashan’s defence was the fine line kicking of the fullback. M‘Gregor. At last M'Glashan advanced past its own territory and immediately met with sucess. Carson and Baker, who made a great dash before he was hauled down by Kearney, were responsible for taking the ball away. In a promising position M'Glashan was awarded a free kick, and Ritchie made no mistake. Just before the interval there was a spectacular run by Elvidge. He intercepted cleverly and kicked over the head of the full-back. He, Baker, and Boyes all raced for it, and Elvidge picked up near the line and went over near the posts for a good solo try. Ritchie converted. St. Kevin’s 11, M'Glashan 8. SECOND SPELL. The first spell had been full of incident, and the other half also began with plenty of dash. Elvidge made another pacy run, and then St. Kevin’s attacked. From a passing bout which M'Kone initiated, Boyle received and passed to M'Combie, who cut in well and scored. C. Hally missed. The next incident was a fine penalty goal for M'Glashan. and C. Hally almost immediately kicked one for St. Kevin’s, giving the visitors the lead, 17-11. At this stage the St. Kevin’s backs were throwing the ball about on every occasion, but M'Glashan’s tackling was fairly solid. However, O’Kane and C. Hally each pierced the defence for unconverted tries. The visitors’ superior speed, both in the pack and in the forwards, was telling its tale. St. Kevin’s 23, M'Glashan 11. Next, O’Kane went over again from a scramble at the corner, Fox failing, and then Neylon crossed, the kick being disallowed. O’Kane added to the total with a try which C. Hally converted. Pinal: St. Kevin’s College 34 M'Glashan College 11 Mr H. C. Williamson was referee.

CANTERBURY TEAM'S TOUR BACKS LACKED EXPERIENCE [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, August 16. “ Our players gave away a lot of penalties and made two bad mistakes which led to tries. With a little more experience in the backs we might have won,” said Mr W. C. Dailey, manager of the Canterbury Rugby team on its southern tour, when referring to the Ranfurly Shield match against Otago at a meeting of the Management Committee of the Canterbury Union. “ Taking the tour as a whole, it was quite successful,” reported Mr Dailey. “We did l not win the Ranfurly Shield, but the team put un a good performance, seeing that_ there were so many young players in the side. The forwards scrummaged well in the Southland and Otago matches, but were lacking a little in other phases of play. They followed up much better in the South Canterbury match. The defensive play of the backs was very good throughout the tour, but they lacked an experienced' leader on attack. The hero of the side was Nolan, who did not put a foot wrong in any match. With the experience gained on the tour the young players should play much better football in the series of representative matches to come.” WANGANUI'S CHALLENGE [Pee United Peebs Association.] WANGANUI, August 16. Subject to Ha wire's Bay holding the Ranfurly Shield on September 10, the Wanganui Union has issued a challenge to play for the trophy at Hastings on that day.