GREAT GAME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 August 1933, Page 7

GREAT GAME

SCHOOL FOOTBALL AT ITS BEST CHRIST’S COLLEGE V. NELSON COLLEGE The match Nelson College v. Christ’s College was exciting throughout. Both teams forced, the pace from the kickoff and the crowd was kept on its toes for long periods as the play went up and down the field, first one side almost scoring and then the other. The Christ’s forwards were much heavier than Nelson and by quick breaking from scrummages frequently had the defence bustled in the early part of the game. Christ’s scored six points in about ten minutes, but it was not long afterwards that the Nelson team gave a wonderful display of rugged forward work, backed up by clever passing among the backs. There were several hundred Nelson old boys and present boys in a large party on one side of the ground, and how they cheered when their team drew even and then took the lead by 11 points to 0. ‘Christ’s also had a large army of barrackcrs and the exchanges of hakas provoked much amusement. When Christ’s drew level it was the sign for a great demonstration of enthusiasm by the Christ’s party. The final stages of the game, over the last quarter of an hour, were all in Nelson’s favour, mainly as the result of a sustained attack by the forwards who played magnificently against heavy odds in the weight of their opponents. Time after time the attacking backs went away and many thought they were unlucky not to reach their objective on a number of occasions, but the Christ’s tackling was deadly, each member meeting his opponent with solid defence. Both teams lined up and gave cheers before Their Excellencies before taking the field. The teams were as folllows: — NELSON COLLEGE H. L. dc C. Martelli; M. R. Cook, R. K. Karsten (captain), A. W. Grindle; B. G. B. Overton, R. L, Annand-Smith; D. E. McArthur; P, S. Rishworth, E. B. Boyd-Wilson, A. C. Wood, D. R. Fraser, K. H. M. Craighead, F. E. Eustace, B. de J. dere, G. C. Meikle. CHRIST’S COLLEGE R. E. Alexander; T. A. Harper, H. F. Flower, C. A. N. Broad; S. JB. Thompson C. R. B. Pearson; J. E. Crisp; A. R. W. Ormond (captain), H. B. Hay, I. E. S. Orbell, R. M. Y. Bain, T. H. Fisher, J. N. Buchanan-Matson, F. W. Brandt, J. R. D. Eaton. Christ’s were all round heavier than Nelson and had a distinct advantage in height in the line-out. After one minute’s play Nelson were penalised, Alexander kicking a fine penalty to the delight of Christ’s supporters. Nelson’s backs gave spirited displays of passing in efforts to retrieve the position. However, Christ’s defence was solid, the tackling being hard and sure. On Nelson’s fourth attempt by the hacks a pass was dropped, allowing the fast-breaking Christ’s forwards to disorganise the defence in a sweeping movement which ended in Harpur, a very fast winger, scoring in the corner. Christ’s thus had six points in ten minutes. Christ’s College 6, Nelson College 0 NELSON FORWARDS GIVE FINE DISPLAY

Undismayed by their deficit, Nelson forwards gave a fine display in a loose rush to Christ’s 25, but Christ’s backs tackled grimly. This game was much faster than the first one, both teams playing sparkling football which had the excitement of the spectators fully worked up. Five minutes’ attack by Nelson saw the forwards display great pace in a smashing rush which ended in Meikle touching down for a try. Overton’s kick dropped under the posts. Christ’s College 6, Nelson College 3 Christ’s realised the strength of Harpur and kept feeding him. Christ’s forwards several times beaf. Nelson for the ball behind the scrums. Nelson’s forwards worked splendidly, McArthur, Annand-Smith, and Grindle combining in impressive movements. Then all the Nelson backs handled in a sparkling movement from McArtJiur, Annand-Smith, Overton, Karsten and Cook, who made a determined run to cross at the corner as he was tackled by Alexander. No goal resulted. Nelson College 6, Chrisst’s College 6 WILD SCENES AMONG BAItRAOKERS There were wild scenes of enthusiasm among the Nelson barrackers at the evening of the points. Christ’s forwards proved a speedy lot, several times testing their opponents' defence. Tlie game went up and down the field in spectacular fashion. Karsten was responsible for a thrilling breakaway ip which he beat several players before transferring to Meikle, who made

a fine run over twenty yards before passing to Grindle, who flashed in for a try under the posts as a reward for a great movement. Overton converted and half-time sounded. Nelson 11; Christ’s 6 Nelson thus had a 5-points margin at the end of the spell. Several hundred Old Boys and sup- [ porters surrounded them in the centre of the field while they gave rousing hakas. ROUSING HAKAS The excitement was intense, rival barracking parties causing much amusement. The first half saw Christ’s College forwards a little better than Nelson, but Nelson backs were superior. > In aggressive movements Christ’s forwards forced the pace early after the spell, Crisp almost scoring. McArthur, Cook and Annand-Smith | were playing brilliantly for Nelson. Play continued spiritedly. Thrusting ; attacks called forth fine tackling by 1 both sides. 1 There was a sting in the play and dogged Nelson forwards set up a great ! offensive to Christ’s 25, where only fine • defence by Harper kept them out. . Christ’s retaliated with an equally smashing attack and a terrific struggle took place near Nelson’s line, the defenders being called upon for a magnificent defence. In an exciting struggle, back down the field swept the play, Christ’s temporarily being all out to keep their line clear. UP TO BEST STANDARD | It was school football at its best and ' up to the high standard of the best games in previous tournaments. Christ’s ; then scored a magnificent try when Hay . broke away on his own from 30 yards out and ’beat the full back,'scoring in 1 a handy position. This gave Christ’s supporters just reason for a wild de--1 monstration and as Alexander convert- ■ ed, making the score— Christ’s College 11, Nelson College 11 The party went frantic in their eni thusiasm. ; Spurred by this reverse, Nelson made renewed efforts in a sweeping movement right to Christ’s line. Christ’s forced, but again Nelson’s combination had them hard pressed. The game continued to develop at a great pace. • While for a period Nelson held the • ascendancy in the dour struggle in • Christ’s 25, Overton had a chance of • gaining an advantage with a long shot , penalty, but missed. BARRACKING PARTIES ALMOST SPEECHLESS Both sides were tiring as the result • of the terrific pace, but grimly the ■ players kept to their task as the bar- • racking parties roared themselves al- • most speechless. Thrilling play swung across Christ’s ■ goal till Flower reversed the direction of play in a spectacular manner and a try 'looked certain for Christ’s when a pass was dropped with a clear field ahead. McArthur, Smith and Grindle made ! an electrifying run down the line, the 1 latter almost reaching his objective. The merits of the game were equally shared in football which had the crowd : on its toes at every moment. For sev- > eral minutes Nelson had the territorial l advantage, but were unable to turn the advantage into points. I A fierce encounter which ensued in > Christ's 25 again almost brought points ; to Nelson, only grim defence keeping out - three great onslaughts. First Grindle, then McArthur, followed yet again by 1 Grindle, made frantic efforts to pierce the defence, hut the Christ’s line held and a wonderful game ended in a draw CHRIST'S COLLEGE 11 NELSON COLLEGE 11 ( Mr A. R. Morris refereed. 3 CHRIST’S V. WELLINGTON IN 5 FINAL i ’ The rules give Christ’s College the right to play Wellington in the final, ' as they have been out of the final the r longest.

\ ! WELLINGTON DEFEATS WANGANUI 1 j EASY WIN FOR WELLINGTON 1 1 A FORWARD GAME 3 » i In a hard game, mostly confined to , the forwards, Wellington defeated Wa- - nganui easily by 28 points to 5. Wel- ) lington backs were superior through--1 out. Tt was a clean game, played in the most friendy manner. In the Wanganui team Price replaced Stephenson. Wellington team was unchanged. Mr A. Kitto was referee. Wanganui were a weak side on the day and the Wellington backs were ] mainly responsible for a number of 5 scoring movements allowed by weak tackling. The Wanganui backs had ’ little thrust. On the other hand the Wellington backs were not over lm- , pressive, many of their movements ] breaking down as the result of weak . handling. Their scoring was mainly 3 brought about by the determined run--2 ning of the wingers. Wellington were

nol fully extended and so they were probably not seen at their best. THE TEAMS WELLINGTON COLLEGE r M. Gray; E. K. A. McClune, M. L. Binning, M. Walt; D. L. Hurdle,y, M. 11. Linklatcr; K. Lees; R. W. Milne (captain), 11 A. Reynolds, C. C. Got-j lieb, T. If. Vorry V. J. Gotlieb, L. J. Gomes, R. N. A'kel, W. E. Crawley. WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL J. R. Price ; A. B. Ilorrocks, M. W. B. Knight, D. P. Beckett; W. L. Ellmgham, A. F. Harding; H. D. Orton, D. J. Nilsson, J. M. Hare, M. J. Hewitt, G. N. Barron, G. B. Gibbons (captain), /G. L. Mason, B. K. Ivirkcaldie, P. M. Murphy. The teams looked fairly even in weights and were given a rousing reception by a crowd of 4000. Wellington's attack was impressive from the commencement, Hurdlev cutting large holes in the defence twice. If the home team’s handling had been up to standard points would have resulted. Orten’s defensive play was very sound. After a siege of several minutes resourceful hack play resulted in Watt, tile wing threequarter, scoring Wellington’s first try. Wellington hacks were met by sound tackling on several occasions, but Horroeks failed and allowed Whitt to cross for his second try. Both teams of forwards maintained a fast pace, allowing the backs plenty of chances, hut both sides displayed magnificent tackling. Wellington for- j wards were superior in following up these tactics, allowing Lees, the half- j back, to break round the scrum for a pretty try under the posts, McClune j converting. j o Wellington hack play was resourcer ful, and with an early lead of eleven i a points the home team looked like run- 1 ning u]> a large score. As the spell fj progressced, Wanganui’s defence became more and more disorganised before the rugged forward attacks. Wellington backs were making the most tof their opportunities. Before half time Verry sent off the backs, all liandi- ling in a bright movement to see Mce Clime score and convert, making the g score 14-0. Play during the spell was more solid than spectacular, and for a school game the barracking was very passive. The crowd grew to 5000, including ‘ Their Excellencies. SECOND SPELL e > Bugged play was the order for the first quarter of the second spell, with iio concerted movements. Eventually 3 Crawley saw a gap in the defence, a fast run getting him over for a nice 1 try for Wellington. Lees made an opening for Bruning to ° score, McClune converting from a handy position. j Wellington 22, Wanganui 0. k As the game went on it became more •, ragged, little enthusiasm being shown by the spectators. Wellington ati tacked persistently, hut could not 3 penetrate on account of timely taek- . ling. Wellington appeared content to . keep the play among the forwards, but eventually Orton dashed away through i the defence to lead to a serum on the - home line. Wanganui hooked and Ori ton made a brilliant dive around the scrum for a well earned try, Harding converting. Near tile end of the game Wclling--1 ton backs made good use of the hall, t Lees and Crawley notching tries by 5 solo efforts before the final whistle r with the game 3 Wellington 28, Wanganui-5.