RUGBY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19578, 26 August 1933, Page 18

RUGBY

SCHOOLS’ TOURNEY NOTES AT RANDOM Id.ax weather prevailed throughout the annual secondary schools’ football tournament held in Christchurch on Friday and Monday last. On the fiist day Timaru Boys’ High School defeated Southland Boys’ High School by 9 points to 6, and Otago Boys High School defeated Christchurch Boys’ High School by 8 points to 5. In the final. Otago beat Timaru by scoring on the call of time, the score being Otago 6 Timaru 3. In the match for the wooden spoon, Christchurch defeated Southland by 6 points to 5 after a very close game. The Addington ground, on which all of the tournament games were played, is not a good one. It runs in the wrong direction for the sun and is surrounded by a picket fence which is only a few paces from the touch line. The fence is not only dangerous to players but it gives them a false idea as to where the touch line is. On the first day particularly, kicks into touch in goal were common. The players in the tournament did not wear numbers and in school games, the practice has much to commend it. The teams as usual lined up before each game and after exchanging cheers, participated in their school hakas. Unless the hakas are made much shorter in future, there is a danger of this time-honoured custom loosing its popularity. Each school had a strong contingent of supporters present, and the organised barracking was quite a feature of the matches.

The ground was exceptionally hard and as a consequence stoppages for injuries were very frequent. The players were absolutely worn out towards the finish of each game and despite their general fitness, most of them would feel the effects of their game the following day. It was unfortunate that Lancaster Park was not made available for the tournament.

The teams fielded this year by the respective schools were very evenly matched and it is significant tjiat throughout the tournament no game was won by a greater margin than 3 points.

The Timaru team, on the whole played, good bright football and were a little unfortunate in not running out winners. At times the back division were brilliant and their frequent passing rushes were a treat to watch. They failed, however, to make the most of their opportunities. Timaru’s forwards were not so good in the loose as the other packs. From set scrums and however, they fed their backs splendidly giving them much more of the ball and many more openings than their opposing backs received. The Southland forwards were really good, while the Otago pack was easily the best in the tournament shoeing signs of excellent coaching. In both 7 games therefore Timaru’s forwards were up against strong opposition and in the circumstances acquitted themselves well.

Timaru's half-back and their fullback were outstanding both giving excellent displays. Other outstanding backs in the tournament were Otago’s first five-eigths and also their halfback. Southland’s full-back, and their centre, and the Christchurch full-back, who at times looked a likely scorer.

Otago’s victory in the final was largely due to the spoiling tactics of their forwards. They were continuously on the job and followed up well.

Southland were fortunate in not having several points scored against them in the early stages of their match against Timaru. but towards the end of the game just a little more effort would have given them a win. Timaru were certainly on top for the first quarter of the game, but after that play was play more even and at times became very ragged.

The Christchurch team did not nlav up to general expectations. In their first game, against Otago, they were not impressive but against Southland on Monday the whole team certainly showed much better form.

In the Timaru-Otago match place kicking bv both sides was decidedly weak. Timaru missed two penalty kicks at goal and one attempt to convert a try. Otago failed to convert either of their and also missed a penalty kick. Throughout the tournament attempts at field goals were numerous but not one was successful.

Tli final game between Timaru and Otago was easily the best of the tournament. The play was bright and attractive and excitement ran high throughout.

Next year's tournament will be play ed in Invercargill.