TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Southland Times, Issue 21480, 24 August 1931, Page 5

TECHNICAL COLLEGES

ANNUAL TOURNAMENT SOUTHLAND v. CHRISTCHURCH. HOME TEAM WIN RUGBY. AND HOCKEY. Weather conditions were very favourable in Invercargill on Saturday for the resumption of play in the South Island Technical Colleges' annual tournament which had commenced at Dunedin on Thursday. Rugby football, hockey, netball and basketball teams representing the Christchurch Tech nical College played teams from the Southland Technical College and honours were evenly divided, the visitors being successful in basketball and netball and the local teams winning the Rugby and' hockey. In the hockey match which was played at Queen’s Park in the morning Southland defeated Christchurch by two goats to nil. In the basketball game also played during the morning at the college courts Southland were beaten by Christchurch by 11 goals to 4. The football match in the afternoon at Rugby Park resulted in a win for the local boys by nine points to nil and the netball, played at the college courts, saw Christchurch victorious by 24 points to 13. The only trophy attached to the tournament is the Collegiate Cup which by their win in Rugby on Saturday, Southland, the present holders, have retained. To-morrow they will defend the trophy against Dunedin, the various sports teams from Dunedin Technical High School arriving in Invercargill by the mid-day express to-day. On Saturday afternoon the Christchurch visitors were entertained at afternoon tea and in the evening were guests at a social function at the college. In the charge of Miss O. Booth and Mr H. Kirby, the teams returned to Christchurch by last night’s express, being accorded a rousing send-off at the railway station by their Invercargill hosts. Following are details of Saturday’s tournament play;—RUGBY FOOTBALL Contrary to expectations the display in this game which was played as a curtainraiser to the senior matches at Rugby Park was very disappointing. Possibly the heavy nature of the ground had something to do with the raggedness of the exhibition but faulty handling and off-side tactics played a big part in the failure of both teams to register a favourable impression. Of the two Southland played with more cohesion and the weight of their forwards eventually told. Had they possessed a good goal-kicker, however, the score would have been much greater as time and again they were awarded penalty goals, often in very handy positions, which they failed to turn to good account. There were no spectacular passing movements to enliven proceedings although in the second spell the venue was changed quickly on several occasions, this being brought about by wild sweeping rushes rather than by crisp and well-directed passing movements. Southland had the benefit of the easterly breeze in the first spell and Christchurch had it at their backs in the second.

Of the visitors Tolputt, athletic champion at Christchurch Technical College, and cap tain of the team, was a player who caught the eye, but he was too well-marked to be really dangerous. Wain at full-back was safe and his long clearance kicks gave his side some much wanted breathing spells. In the ranks of Southland Milne was prominent but, like Tolputt, was too wellmarked to get going properly. Two of Southland’s tries were gained by Scott as the result of good work and the remaining one by West. The latter, a Maori boy, impressed with his display but was starved for ball through the selfishness of Jlaxted who for the greater part of the game seemed to be oblivious to West’s existence. Maxted on Saturday did not have his kicking boots on as in addition to failing to convert any of the three tries, he also missed a number of the penalties which were frequently awarded. Usually a very reliable half-back Peddie did not come up to expectations but his performance can be ex cused in view of his recent indisposition. The teams lined out as follows:

Christchurch (green and gold) : Wain, Harvey, Prestney, Finnerty; Tolputt (captain), Hall; Black; Sheard, Reed; Johns, Bradley, Hartland; Trezise, Willman; Blackmore. Southland (black and white): Field; S. West, Maxted, Crowe; Miller, Milne (captain); Peddie, Wares, Weeds; Scott, McKitterick, Findlay; J. West, Muir; Walker. Prior to commencing the teams exchanged hakas. The Game. Within the first few moments of play Southland were awarded a penalty kick in a handy position but Maxted’s kick fell short. The heavy state of the ground was having its effect upon the play which so far was being monopolized by Southland. From a lineout in the visitors’ twenty-five Walker made a breakaway which took play outside the goalmouth. The ball travelled along the line of backs and West, the last to receive, went across at the corner to score a good try. Maxted’s kick, a fine effort, missed. Southland 3 Christchurch 0 Southland shortly afterwards gained a penalty for a scrum infringement on the part of the visitors but Maxted failed to turn it to advantage. Southland were pressing hard but their frequent attacks were being smothered. Tolputt was prominent in an attempt to break through and take play to the other end of the field but his reputation had preceded him and he was a marked man. Maxted soon afterwards had another opportunity with a penalty awarded the local boys but he again massed. Tolputt cleared to within a few yards of half-way but Maxted gained possession and set off on a scoring mission. He was well-attended but preferred to hold on to the ball and grassed. He had an opportunity a moment later of retrieving his blunder when Southland were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but he once again missed. The Christchurch forwards then carried play to half-way. From an ensuing line-out Southland gained possession and returned to the attack, Wain being prominent in stemming the onset. Southland gained the ball from a line-out but Hall intercepted and broke through to gain a few yards before he was collared. When Southland carried play back again Bradley was prominent on defensive work which for a time held up the local boys. Play changed to the other side of the field where Peddie ran out before transferring to W’est. Walker took the next penalty awarded to Southland but was just as unsuccessful as Maxted. Play came over to the grandstand wing where Wain with a good line kick relieved the pressure. Action now centred about half-way where Bradley was once more prominent in breakaway movements. Little by little Christchurch penetrated into Southland territory, where a penalty was awarded the home team. Scott’s kick past half-way was ret-urned by the ever-present Wain, but the local forwards were not to be denied and play once more was in Christchurch territory. The visitors were holding Southland better at this stage but the exhibition was showing signs of general raggedness. Black gained a few yards with a good line-finder but the advantage was short-lived and when the half-time whistle sounded a few moments later play was at half-way with no addition to the scores. Second Spell. Christchurch started off full of vim and gained a few yards with each attack. Their backs set off in a promising movement which broke down through bad passing. Harvey was conspicuous in a subsequent solo dash but was bagged. Hall, however, cleared from the resultant pressure but it was not long before Southland were again on attack. West looked as if he were going to get through but the ball went out at the twenty-five flag. Southland were awarded a penalty and Maxted’s kick hit the post.

The Southland forwards were onto the ball from the rebound but Wain relieved pressure with a good line-finder. West was to the fore in another Southland attack which failed through bad handling when the occasion was most favourable. Southland were endeavouring to get their back line into action but without much success. Christchurch then attacked and Hall gained a good deal of territory before transferring to Bradley who was grassed. Southland were subsequently penalized and Wain’s kick just went under the cross-bar. Southland then attacked vigorously and Scott succeeded in forcing his way through the defence to score. Maxted’s attempt at conversion failed. Southland 6 Christchurch 0

Wain distinguished himself further with his clearances in the face of Southland attacks and Christchurch then assumed the offensive, Bradley, Milne and Blackmore being associated in a promising movement. The ball came back to Wain who smartly retured it to allow Field to kick down the side-line. The ball went out, however, and the visitors gained the line-out. Quickly play was transferred to Southland's twentyfive, but the venue was again changed by a dribbling effort by Walker. Christchurch came away with a rush in which Hartland was prominent and Southland were obliged to force to relieve the presure. The next swing of the pendulum saw Christchurch stoutly defending in their own twenty-five and after an attempt by Peddie to break through had failed, Scott gained possession and crossed the line to score his second try in a handy position. Maxted’s kick missed. Southland 9 Christchurch 0 Maxted’s failure to pass out the ball to West saw Southland once again lose a good opportunity. The local boys kept up the offensive but Prestney kicked through and gained territory for Christchurch. Southland came back, however, but their efforts were spoiled by wild passing and there was no alteration to the scores when the final whistle sounded shortly afterwards. Southland 9 Christchurch 0 Mr G. R. Hanan was referee. HOCKEY SOUTHLAND WIN. Although Southland ultimately downed Christchurch by two goals to nil in the hockey game, the first spell was very evenly contested, but the Southerners took charge after half-time and harassed the defence repeatedly by bright attacks. The teams were as follows: Southland —Misses R. Warnock; M. Boyle, M. Menzies; B. Egan, B. Swale, M. Munro; L. Lee, E. Clark, D. Boyle, M. Sinclair and I. Rewcastle. Christchurch —Misses J. Nicolle; E. Cleeve, E. Rich; M. Heap, M. Tobin, J. Small; H. Williams, N. Collett, P. Bull, D. Woodham and G. Noble. The first spell ended with no score by either team. Southland were often hard pressed by the dashing Christchurch vanguard but sound defensive work by M. Boyle, M. Menzies and B. Swale kept the northerners at bay. In the second half, Christchurch were defending the western goal, which was much muddier than the other, but their forwards did not enter their opponents’ territory until well on in the game. The Southland forward line combined in some promising movements. At least four desperate melees occurred

right in the Christchurch goal-mouth. Both the Southland scores were gained from corners, which were immediately followed by scrambles in front of the goalmouth. I. Rewcastle and D. Boyle netted for the winners. The outstanding player of the Christchurch team was undoubtedly the wing, H. Williams, a one-armed player, who frequently harassed the Southland rearguard. E. Cleeve and E. Rich also gave good showings as full-backs in the northern team but-a drier ground would have suited the forwards better. In the dying stages of the game, Christchurch launched several desperate attacks but the Southland defence stood stout until the final whistle gave the team victory. I. Rewcastle, E. Clark and D. Boyle were the pick of the Southland vanguard. Mrs Murray and Mr S. Smith refereed the game. BASKETBALL WIN FOR CHRISTCHURCH. Contrary to all expectations Christchurch won the basketball match played on the college courts in the morning. The shooting of the Christchurch players was admirable and their victory is all the more meritorious when it is considered that they had to play a strange game. The result of the match was as follows: CHRISTCHURCH (11) v. SOUTHLAND (4). Christchurch: V. Merrin, A. Templeton, E. O’Callaghan, J. Hansen, G. Nunweek, M. O’Callaghan, G. Williams, E. Matthews, N. French. Southland: M. Wares, W. Sadlier, M. Harvey, M. Jaquiery, P. Beaton, L. Burtenshaw, M. Pasco, V. McKenzie, B. Murray. It was generally anticipated that Southland would win the basketball match but Christchurch created a surprise by emerging victorious. The Christchurch players showed great aptitude for the strange game. They were smarter than their opponents and their idea of position and shooting was better. Miss Calder was referee. NET BALL CHRISTCHURCH VICTORIOUS. On Saturday afternoon the two colleges met at netball, which is played at the Christchurch College. The Christchurch girls were more at home in this game, their combination and shooting being superior to that of their opponents. As a result they secured a handsome win by 24 goals to 13. Details of the match are as follows:—

CHRISTCHURCH (24) v. SOUTHLAND (13).

Christchurch: V. Merrin, A. Templeton, E. O’Callaghan, J. Hensen, G. Nunweek, M. O’Callaghan and G. Williams. Southland: M. Wares, M. Harvey, M. Jaquiery, P. Beaton, L. Burtenshaw, M. Pasco and V. McKenzie.

The visitors played an extremely fast and attractive game and strangely enough the Southland girls played much more confidently than in their own game of basketball. As only seven players participated the game was extremely fast. The Christchurch girls were superior in combination and, as in the basketball game, their shoot, ing was extremely accurate.