INTER-COLLEGE RUGBY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11303, 31 August 1922, Page 7

INTER-COLLEGE RUGBY

BRILLIANT PLAY IN FINAL CHRIST'S COLLEGE DEFEAT ’WELLINGTON BY 7 POINTS TO 3. FAST, SPECTACULAR GAME. Yesterday's Rugby game placed a memorable link on the long chain of tiitournaments ■which have been played between Christs' College, Wanganui Collegiate, and College. About 6000 people, including l His Excellency the Governor-General and party, •witnessed the match. The ground was dry and Lard, and there was practically no wind. The game was characterised by brilliant play on the part of the Christchurch backo end the Wellington forwards, who adopted the 3—2—l formation with > two winsr-forwards, and played a spoiling gaifle. Time and again the ball travelled up and down the held at a great speed, and from start to finish honours were easy. THE TEAMS. The teaio* liped out as follow: Christ College (black and white) — Backs, T. T. C. Birch 11, G. F. McHardy 11, E. X>. T. Lewis 9.5. E. P. HunterWeston lh.B, T. R. Sheen 10.13, R. O. Talbot 11.10, El. IC. McLean 10.3; forwards, R„ C. Grig* 11.4, W. Stafford 11.4, .T. 0. McWilliam 11.10. H. B. Godfrey 13,8. W. J. Harris 10.8. H. F. Armstrong .12.12, C. H.' Miller 11.2; winger, G. Williams 10.8. . Wellington College (black) —Backs, H. Grenfell 9.2, H. C. Bailey 9. L. J. Evans ! 11.10. S. C\ Tait 12.4. J. M. Ftizmaurice 11.2, F. M. Kanan 9.7, L. L. Du Chateau 8.1; forwards, C, EL Claridge 11.3, V. Shannon 11.3, J. Lawson 11.7, B. T. Hooper 11.9, E. R. Hislon 11.7; wmgers, G. M. Renner 9.13, R. H. C. McKcnzio (captain) 11.8. Average weights:—Backs, Christ's 10.9; Wellington, 10.2. Forwards—Christs’s, 11.85: Wellington, 11.35. THE PLAY. Wellington won the toss and played, with the sun on their backs. From the kick-off the ball -went out, near half-way, and Hooper broke away from the lincout. The play was now in Christs* twenty-five. Hanan picked up smartly and sent Evans away. The latter passed to Tait, who put in a good run before being grassed by Hunter-Weston. Open play followed, in which, the Wellington forwards 'had the best of it. A scrum gave Wellington a chance to heel, but over eagerness on the part of Du Chateau caused *him to be penalised for picking out of the scrum. Talbot found the line about the half-way flag. The Wellington forwards soon had the ball back again, but the Christchurch backs, with a brilliant passing rush, in which McLean, Talbot, and Sheen participated, took the ball down into Wellington twenty-five, and were stopped only by a good serve on the part of Grenfell. Again the Wellington forwards .brought the ball into neutral territory by a series of loose rushes, in which Renner, McKenzie, Hislop, and Meadows led the way. A piece of off-side play by McHajdy gave Fitzmaurico a chance at goal, but the kick fell wide. Wellington forwards were playing well, but were finding it hard to keep the ball from the southern backs. They took the ball in black territory, and only a fine save by Grenfell kept them out. Again the Wellington forwards carried the ball back with McKenzie, Renner, Claridge, and Shannon in the van. They got within striking distance, hut made the mistake of trying to handle the ball. Another passing rush by Christchurch backs, in which McLean. Sheen, 'Talbot, and took part, ended in Lewis be. ing brought down by Grenfell. From the ruck Sheen put in a splendid run, hut kicked too hard, and the ball went over the dead ball fine. LIVELY CHRISTCHURCH BACKS* After -the kiclc-out the Christchurch backs were again in action, the ball travelling from McLean to Talbot to Lewis to Sheen. A free kick for playing the ball on the ground gave Wellington relief. From the line-out Tait received a pass from Du Chateau and gained about twenty yards before he was collared by Birch in. black ifnd white territory. In the ruck the blacks were penalised for obstruction, and play went back to midfield. A great deal of loose work followed, in which Wellington were steadily gaining ground, but Sheen picked up, and moving quickly, eluded the Wellington pack. With a long kick he relieved a dangerous situation. Talbot marked Grenfell's return and had an unsuccessful shot at goal. A passing rush, started by McLean and continued by McHardy and Miller, inado things look dangerous, but good tackling kept the southern men out. The WeiC ington forwards took the ball up field again, but a kicking: bout between Grenfell, Bailey and Lewis and McHardy gave the latter a chance to gain about thirfcj yards. Again the black forwards were not to be denied, but a hard kick lost them the ball, and the Christchurch backs secured. They threw the balj about with great judgment, but deadly cnckhng kept them at bay. As each man received the hall he was downed, and it was a. treat to watch the way in which both attackers and defenders played their parts. THE WINNING GOAL. A few minutes afterwards Sheen seized an opening and potted a beautiful goal. Christ’s 4 Wellington 0 From the kick-out the black forwards, headed by Benner, Hislop, Lawson and Meadows, brought the hall within the Christchurch twenty-five. Kenner picked U P,, ? ut was grounded by Birch when within striking, distance. From a short kick by a Christ's player Evans marked m a favourable position but his kick just missed. After the kick-out the play Was again down, in the black twenty-live just as things were looking block •f, tllo local team Du Chateau saved with a fine kick. Play was then in midfield, with the Wellington, forwards dominating in the loose. A good openmg by Lewis, in which a score seemed certain, was spoilt by Sheen dropping his pass. A scrum for a knock-on wont in Christs’ favour just as the bell sounded. SECOND SPELL. Immediately aftor the commencement Ta Ixit Iwotecl the ball up the field and io, lowing up smartly made things donGrenfell put in a good save. Jho Wellington forwards secured from Ihe line-mit, and dribbled the ball on, to . Ahrist s line, but a clever pick up and kick by ohcoiL saved an almost certain try. A well-placed kick by Talbot found a va-nnt space in the Wellington backs, sncl .Lvans, in endeavouring to save, held on too long. Talbot failed with the free Kick. from the kick out Sheen plaved a j*?? 10 , hand and eluded the opposition’ i 7 a ' 7 }. ' lo w os well tackled by Grenfell. Wellington forwards brought the ball hack and in returning a defensive kick Javans found tue line at the' corner. The ball was s.-rummod out. and black heeljd, but Dn Chateaus pass was wide and Uinsts relieved. Play was brought up tho field again, and from the ruck Lewis picked up and ]>assed to Sheen, who was grassed by Grenfell ten yards from the line. CHRIST'S AGAIN. From a scrum 'Talbot maflo a brilliant opening and completely "fooled** the opposition. On reaching Grenfell ho t >o fi Sheen, who scored. Talbot failed with lh© kick. Christs » Wellington o The Wol 1 ington forwards made a great assault after the kick out, and during a Jocrs© rush Renner picked up and swerv*d past tho full-back, but ‘was collared hv McHardy. Hooper dribbled over tho line, but the bill touched a spectator who bad encroached on i o the fiold, and tho ball was declared dead. Tho

Wellington forwards, led by Bonner, were again on tlio move but slow work on the part of their backs lost ground and the game* was brought bach into neutral territory. Tait caught HunterWeston with the ball and taking possession gained a lot of ground before he was stopped by Birch. Talbot saved with a good kick. A free kick shortly afterwards for obstruction gave Evans a chance to find the line well down the field. Again the Wellington backs were caught with the ball and a. good opportunity was lost. The Christ's College forwards made the game tight for a time and gave their backs plenty of ball, but good taekling spoilt all efforts. A series of tight scrummages gained a great deaL of ground for Christ’s, who used their superior weight to advantage. Lawwon, with the help of Renner, opened things up, and immediately Wellington were on the attack again. Talbot relieved with a good kick, which did not reach to the line. Grenfell gathered in the ball and from his own twentyfive gained almost forty yards. PERSISTENCY REWARDED. The Wellington forwards kept pressing hard and from a. forward scramble Meadow gave Du Chateau a chance. The latter passed to Tait on the blind side, and after making a fine run Tait scored at the corner. Evans made a good, but unsuccessful attempt at goal. Christ’s 7 Wellington 3 Christ's made things willing after the recommencement. ana only the collaring on the part of Evans and Hanan kept the southerners out. A free kick gave Talbot a chance to goal, but the kick lacked, direction. Soon afterwards a pretty passing bout by Hunter-Weston, McLean and -Sheen took the ball right on to the Wellington line, but a poor pass spoilt a certain try. Christ’s backs got going again, and Sheen made a good solo effort, which was blocked by good tackling. The black forwards again, dominated, and with a rapid sweep took tlie ball down to the Christchurch twenty-five. Du Chateau sent his backs away, and the ball travelled to Pitamauriee to Hanan to Evans to Tait, wlio was collared near the line. Twice again Wellington looked dangerous, but time went as Christ's were relieving. Christ’s 7 Wellington 3 Mr H. C. Kitto controlled the game. NOTES ON THE GAME PLAY AND PLAYERS. The game resolved itself into a oonlcel between the brilliant Christchurch backs and the speedy Wellington forwards. The former used the swift passing rush, while the latter relied on spoiling tactics and loose dribbling work. The new Rcruiu formation of Wellington was a good move, and if they had had more practice they might have easily got more of the ball in hooking. The Wellington hacks were disappointing. They stood far too close up when, in their opponents’ twenty-five, and were never sure of the ball. Their giving and receiving of passes could have been greatly improved. Their tackling was gpod, although there was a tendency to go high. Fitzmaurice was particularly weak in this, and often missed Ilia man. Of the two full-backs. Grenfell stood out. He and Sheen were the best backs on the ground. He tackled well, and his fielding and kicking were magnificent. At all times he gave his team confidence, and many who knew of the exploits of his father as a full-back in Otago’s palmy days recalled similar instances which took place about 1890. Tait and Hunter-Weston were the best of the wings. Tait still is too inclined to kick Instead of making a dash for the line, and when he gets more confidence he should do even better. He is speedy, has the weight, and tackles well. Bailey was disappointing. After Saturday, when he played magnificently, one expected more from him. Sheen was the best of the five-eighths. His speed in getting off the mark was reminiscent of “Jimmy” Hunter and W. G. Stead. He played with great judgment, and was always seen to advantage. Talbot was well marked by Renner and McKenzie, and was not so conspicuous. He played a good solid game and was instrumental in securing the only try recorded. A feature of the Christs’ backs was the good passing as opposed to that of, their opponents. Of the halves, the diminutive Du Chateau was perhaps the more pleasing, although there was not much, to pick and choose. Ho stood up to his work wall. Ono incident of his, in which he gave the pass to Tait in order that the bigger boy might take the punt, was an example of his cleverness. McLean passed well from the scrum and sent his backs away smartly. Of the centres, Lewis was the more promising. He showed pace and judgment, although his opponent was the better man on the defence. The Wellington pack dominated the forward play, and in it Renner stood out a« 'the nest forward on (the ground. McKenzie followed him closely, and likewise Hooper, Meadows, Claridge and Hislop. They kept on hammering at the Christchurch backs and spoiling Uifttr aggressive movements. Godfrey and McWilliam were the pick of the Christs College nack. An interesting figure in the annual tournament iB Mr Maurice Dennmton, who has taken the line for the past eighteen years. TEAMS AT DINNER. Last night the teams were entertained at ■, dinner by the headmaster of the W< llington College, Mr T. It. Cresswell, at the college. Among those present we - e Mr B. C. Crosse (headmaster of Christ’s College), Mr Pearce (headmaster at Wanganui), Mr W. F. Ward (chairman of the Board of Governors), Mr R. Darroch (Old Boys’ Association), Mr Maurice Denniston (Christ’s College Old Boys), Mr T. Brodie, and others, / ' SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOLS SOUTHLAND WIN COMPETITION. PER PRESS ASSOOTA.TION. INVERCARGILL, August 30. The South. Island High School.)' football tournament concluded to-day, when Southland won the final, beating Timaru by 8 points to 3. Tries were scored for Southland by Harrington and Hanna, Ottrey converting one. Boys kicked a penalty goal for Timaru. Play was fairly even all through, Southland having slightly the better of the first spell, Timaru playing with more dash in the second. Christchurch beat Otago by 6 points to nil. Tries were secured by Kipwortli and Kemp. Christchurch had the better of the game, and the solid tackling of Otago kept the score down.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ TOURNEY WAIRARAPA SUCCESSFUL. PICK PRESS 4SBOCTATXOrf. PALMERSTON N., August SO. The primary school s' Rugby football tournament concluded to-day. Results: Wairarapa. (9) beat Manawatu (0)j Wanganui (12) beat Wellington (3). The tourney was won by Wairarapa with three wins and no losses, Wanganui being runners-up wtih two wins and one loss. JUNIOR MATCHES. Third fixtures for Saturdayßerhamporo v. Eastbourne, Uuppa street No. 1, 3 p.m.; Sehvyn v. Upper Hutt, Kelburn Park, 3 p.m.; Y.M.C.A. v. Johne*ytiville, Duppa street No. 2, 3 p.m. SPECIAL CHALLENGE MATCH. Fourth.—Poneke v. Athletic, Athletic Park No. 1, 1.15 p.m. 1