RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2046, 4 September 1920, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

INTER-SCHOOLS* TOURNEY. [Special to The Sun.] DUNEDIN, September 2. As was Anticipated, the annual Rugby tournament between the Christchurch, Timaru, Otago, and Southland Boys' Higli Schools, played on the Carlsbrook ground, was won by the Christchurch team, which undoubtedly is the best secondary school team In the South Island, and possibly in New Zealand, this year. The final round of the tourney, in which the winners of Monday's match met each other, and the losers of that day also played off, was held this afternoon. The weather was line, and the ground in first-class order. The first match, Timaru v. Southland, was far from an inspiring exhibition. From the beginning it was evident, that Timaru was the better team, and it only rested upon the side to break through the Southland defence. Promising rushes by both teams frequently were spoilt by faulty handling. Timaru was pressing for most of the first half, except for two occasions, when good line-kicking by Ottrey and Diack put the Southland forwards on the offensive. Shortly beforo half-time Southland received a penalty kick, in a bad position, and Diack's kick just fell short. In the second half there was no score for some time, mainly owing to the poor play of the Timaru backs and the excellent collaring of Ottrey. However, Timaru was not to be denied, and a passing rush ended in Simmers getting over, Earl converting. From this point Timaru- had much the better of the game, and carried the score to 19—0 before the final whistle. Towards the end of the match Ottrey was injured, and had to go off. The following scored tries for Timaru:—Collins (2), Clarke, Simmers, and Wilhell. Earl and Stewart eacli converted one. Of the backs on the Timaru side Valentine and Collins were by far the best, whilst of the forwards Clarke and Stewart were always* to the fore. In the second match, between Christchurch and Otago, Page, of the Christchurch team, was laid up with a bad cold, Graham played behind the Christchurch scrum, with Richards as first five-eighth, Murray replacing Richards at full-back. The Otago team had also iost its half-back. Shand, who was injured when playing against Southland. Swift was in his place. This match was a far better game, for, although Olago was substantially defeated, it played well and pluckily, particularly in the first half. Christchurch was always on the attack, and soon scored a couple of tries, one of which was converted. Shortly after this Dickinson, Intercepting a pass from Richards, broke away, only to be overhauled by the speedy Low. Christchurch was throwing the ball about well, and another try was added before hall-time. In the second half the Christchurch forwards dominated the game, and their backs scored frequently. Graham, behind the scrum, did yeoman service, and was directly responsible for at least two of the tries. "Wen-en and Low were too good for the defence, and Carieton at times made the opposing five-eighths look rather feeble. On the whole, the Christchurch team owed its victory to its hard-working forwards, who time and again took it upon themselves to indulge in good passing rushes, which invariably finished in a score by one of the backs, 'liie final result was -18—0 in favour of Christchurch. Low (4), Werren (3), Orchard (2). Davy, Richards, and Jacobs scored tries, Carieton converting six of the tries. Christchurch was by far the best team in the tournament, but it would be difficult to say which was the better of Timaru and Otago. It would be very Interesting to see a match between these two schools, and on the form shown during the tournament Timaru most likely would gain the victory. The Southland team had good forwards and two good backs, but the rest of the team was decidedly second-rate compared with the three other teams.