SCHOOLS RUGBY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20781, 16 July 1937, Page 10

SCHOOLS RUGBY

ST. BEDE’S DEFEAT TIMARU UNINTERESTING GAME In an annual Rugby fixture, played r.t the Caledonian grounds yesterday, St. Bede’s College (Christchurch) defeated Timaru Boys’ High School by six points to three. The match, which attracted only a fair attendance of the public, did not produce the fast, open play usually associated with secondary school football. The St. Bede’s forwards had an advantage in weight and secured possession from a majority of scrums, but, in the first spell in particular, the Timaru pack was sluggish. The handling and kicking was disappointing. Had they played throughout as they did in the last quarter of an hour they would have given a better account of themselves but. on the day, St. Bede’s were superior in all departments. Since 1921 when the series was inaugurated nine matches have been played, St. Bede’s winning five and Timaru four. The record is as follows: 1921 St. Bede’s 11, Timaru 5. 1922 St. Bede's 9, Timaru 6. 1927—Timaru 13. St. Bede's 3. 1929—Timaru 16, St. Bede’s 8. 1932 St. Bede’s 11, Timaru 10. 1933 Timaru 29, St. Bede’s 3. 1934 St. Bede’s 13, Timaru 11. 1936 Timaru 13, St. Bede’s 3. 1937 St. Bede’s 6, Timaru 3. The teams were as follows: High School (White)—R. Cumming, J, F. Tait, M. Brooks, J. P. Mottram, L. Whatman, R. E. Hay, J. Little, A. G. Tait, P. Williams, H. M. McMillan, R. Ainge, A. D. McKenzie, S. Campbell, D. G. Watt and L. G. Cross (captain). St. Bede’s (Red and Black)—J. L. Gillooly (captain), J. J. Henderson, T. W. Gilbert, P. J. McMullan, J. J. Gill, H. Kani, J. p. Nee, F. J. Scully, J. Prendergast, A. D. Mills. P. S. Prenderville, W. D. Campbell, D. J. Costello, J. J. Curnow and M. J. O’Connor. Play Described St. Bede’s were the early aggressors, holding Timaru in the 25 until Little secured from a ruck and cleared. McMillan and Campbell broke through, carrying play past halfway but the St. Bede’s custodian, Gilbert, drove them back with a long kick, Cumming being caught in the 25. Scully sent the St. Bede's backs away but Gill did not get his pass. McMullan cut through and for a time play hovered on Timaru’s line, Mottram forcing. Twice the St. Bede’s backs initiated passing rushes but bad handling spoiled the movements. Their efforts were rewarded when Scully sent McMullan down the blind side, the wing and Lee participating in a fine piece of in-passing down the line, the ball flashing back to McMullan, who dived over in the corner. Hendersons kick fell short. St. Bede's 3, Timaru 0. The try served to stimulate Timaru, who were playing a ragged game, and they entered St. Bede’s 25 for the first time after 25 minutes’ play, when Whatman put in a long kick which was followed up by Cross. From the lineout Timaru secured and Brooks and Hay attempted to break through. Hie ball was kicked over the line, however, and Gill beat Mottram to the force down. From the drop-out the St. Bede’s forwards, led by Henderson and Campbell, swept into Timaru’s 25 where Scully opened play up. The movement broke down temporarily but Kani snapped up and forced his way across handy to the posts. Scully missed an easy kick, St. Bede's 6, Timaru 0.

Gillolly put in a good run following a blind side transfer by Scully but was forced into touch a few yards from the line, Timaru were hard pressed, a series of scrums taking place near the line until a penalty brought them relief. Scully and Lee attempted to break through but a knock-on stopped the rush and half time was called with the score: St. Bede’s 6, Timaru 0.

The visitors had Timaru in difficulties on resuming, Cumming twice falling to field cleanly and a moment later Lee, Kani and Gillooly swept to the line, Gillooly being thrown out just short of the corner flag. St. Bede’s kept the pressure up but were checked temporarily by a penalty, Whatman finding touch past the 25. Little went round the blind side with Whatman and Tait, the rush taking play to halfway, where Tait secured from a ruck and passed in to the forwards. Little again opened play up but the backs ran across field and no advantage was gained, the St. Bede’s forwards surging down to Timaru’s 25 where they were awarded a penalty. Henderson's kick was a good effort from wide out but the ball skimmed under the bar. Solid rucking on Timaru’s line ensued until Little saved with a kick which found touch past the 25. The tables were swiftly turned when McKenzie came through a ruck with the ball and threw a long pass to Tait, who kicked down field. Gilbert fumbled and when the ball came back to Cumming, the full-

back potted without success. After scrambling play in St. Bede's 25, Little sent the backs away, Brooks drawing Gill to let Mottram across in the corner. Whatman’s kick was short. St. Bede's 6, Timaru 3. Heartened by the success, Timaru put more vim into their play 7, the backs appearing dangerous for the first time. Bad handling spoilt their movements, however, and St. Bede’s returned to the attack, play settling in Timaru’s 25 until Whatman lined at midfield from a penalty. At this stage McKenzie retired with an injured nose and was replaced by F. Sargent. Campbell and O’Connor figured in a good passing rush from halfway, linking up at the 25 with Gillooly, who was well tackled by Mottram. St. Bede’s packed solidly on the line but, when the ball came back, Kani was collared by Hay and Cumming cleared. Tait made a determined run down touch to St. Bede’s 25 but his pass to Brooks went astray and time was called shortly after with the scores: St. Bede’s 6, Timaru 3. Mr A. B. Rowlands was referee.