SCHOOLS' RUGBY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 765, 24 July 1916, Page 10

SCHOOLS' RUGBY.

NOTES ON THE GAMES. Only three matches were played in the first grade of the North Canterbury Public Schools' Amateur Athletic Association 's Rugby football competitions last week. Elmwood, which had been defeated only by the leading team, Marists, caused a surprise by going down before Woolston, the latter winning by eight points to six. No description of the game is available, however, beyond the statements that it was very even, and that B. Keys and H. Richardson scored Elmwood's two tries. Marists and West Christchureh provided an interesting game. They were well matched in weight and size. The first half of the game was every even, with the play going up and down the field all the time, and half-time was called without any score having been registered. At one time in the second half West drove Marists back to tlulatter's line, and only the fine defence of the green backs kept West from breaking through. But in this half of the game the Marists' forwards assumed control, and. with their backs playing a igood passing game, they inflicted a clear-cut defeat on West Christchureh. Dobbs, Ellis, and Goodman scored a try apiece. Goodman converted two of the tries, and so Marists won by 13 points i to nil. WaH.ham beat Addington by 16 points to nil. There were some very close games in the second grade competition. Particularly close was the game between Normal and Qpawa. Normal had the heavier forwards, who did excellent work in both the tight and the loose, but the backs were not as fast and nippy as Opawa's, and could not make use of the opportunities offered by the forwards. Opawa made determined efforts to score, but were met by a solid defence. The second half of the game was very brisk, Opawa making strenuous efforts to score, but being kept in check by good tackling by the Normal backs, until the closing portion of the game. Then the pace began to tell, and Low and Wearing broke through for Opawa and fell on the ball together. So Opawa won by three points to nil. Beekenham and Sydenham met in a very even game, won by the former by six points to three. N. Farrand was the best of the Beekenham backs, and Baldoc.k was noticeable in the forwards. Lewton, French, and Stevens played very well for Sydenham.

Fendalton did all the attacking in that team 's match with Marista, and kept the greens penned in their own twenty-five. The Marist backs failed to show their usual combination. Feiidalton's score was 12 points to nil.