COLLEGE RUGBY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 20 July 1934, Page 12

COLLEGE RUGBY.

St Bede’s Forwards Give Great Display.

WIN OVER ST. ANDREW’S. One of the best exhibitions of forward play seen in secondary school football for some seasons tvas given by the St. Bede’s College pack in the school’s annual match with St. Andrew's College, which St. Bede’s won by IS points to 5 yesterday afternoon. St. Andrew’s fielded a good average pack, but it was no match for the St. Bede’s forwards, who gave a perfect demonstration of the way to pack in the tight play, and were also superior in the scrums and line-outs. A feature of their game was the way in which they rallied round as soon as a man was tackled, packed tightly into a compact wedge, and either pushed St. Andrew’s off their feet or heeled the ball quickly to the half-back. In loose rushes the St. Bede’s forwards were just as good, P. A. Smith and B. Gillespie being two who harried the opposing backs all the time. It was difficult to single out any member of the pack for special mention, as everyone worked strenuously all the way through. lhe St. Andrew’s forwards were up against a really brilliant pack, but, although pushed off the ball most of the first spell, they staged some good loose rushes in the closing stages of the second spell. O. G. R. Edwards played a great loose game, while P. F. Foote and W. L. Barry were two hard-working forwards. Handled Well. When the St. Bede’s backs learn to run straighter they should become a dangerous combination. Yesterday they made very little ground in their passing rushes, but apart from that fault played a workmanlike game, handling surely and tackling well. D. White, the first five-eighth, was always dangerous, while in T. Simpson, the centre three-quarter, St. Bede’s possessed the fastest back on the ground. He was not starved of the ball, and made several determined runs. Among the St. Andrew’s backs, P. W. Ililson was outstanding. He stood up to a heavy gruelling from the St. Bede’s forwards in solid fashion, and his kicking saved his side on many occasions. The rest of the backs were slow, and weak on defence, with the exception of D. L. Jones, who kept White thoroughly subdued all through the second spell. The Play. St Bede’s kicked off against a brisk easterly breeze. The ball came out of the ruck in St Andrew’s twenty-five, Hilson picking up to put his side on attack with a good kick deep into St Bede’s territory. Purcell could manage only a short kick, which went out at the twenty-five yards line. St Bede’s were penalised, but Foote's kick from an awkward angle struck the post. St Andrew’s started to get the ball from the scrums, only quick tackling stopping the backs from breaking through. A stab kick by White put St Bede’s on attack, and Simpson was just beaten in the race for the ball as a forward rush took it right across the field. St Bede’s continued to press and from a scramble near the line M’Gavin got across. White converted. St Bede’s 5 St Andrew's 0.

Fast following up by the St Andrew’s forwards saw Purcell caught in possession. but although St Andrew’s won the scrum quick tackling saved the situation. Sullivan placed his side on attack with a good run to the St Andrew’s twenty-five. From a scrum Morel broke away and cut through to send Simpson across for a determined try. Whit© converted. St Bede’s 10, St Andrew’s 0.

Three line-oufs near halfway saw White drive St Andrew’s back with short kicks to touch, but the last kick went too far and Walker found touch in turn. Hilson drove back a determined forward rush with a neat kick. Bettle broke away suddenly unsupported and seemed set for a try when he slipped in trying to pass the full-back. The clearing kick was fielded by Walker, who found the corner flag with a great kick. Showing more skill in packing and using their weight, the St Bede’s forwards pushed St Andrew’s towards the line. Edwards burst through at last, lint St Bede’s came back to the attack. From a scrum St Andrew’s went away Jones punting high to Purcell. The ball bounced from the full-back’s arms as backs and forwards came charging through. It was caught by Edwards, who raced across to score under the posts. Jones converted. St Bede's 10 St Andrew's 5. A short, quick passing rush in which all handled saw Sullivan cross for St Bede’s third try just before half-time. White converted. St Bede’s 15, St Andrew’s 5. The Second Spell. Play centred in the St Bede’s twentyfive in the early stages. Rate tackling gave St Andrew’s a penalty, but the distance was just too much* for Foote. The St Andrew’s forwards were working harder in the scrummages, but they did not have sufficient weight to keep back the battling St Bede’s pack. f?t Bede's swept back into St Andrew’s twenty-five, and two dangerous thrusts were stopped just in time. It was only a brief burst, however, and a series of raking loose rushes placed St Andrew’s within striking distance of the line. There was still plenty of life in the

opposing pack, which, led by Smith, set up a sustained hammering against the St Andrew’s line. A blind side dash by Brazil caught the defence napping, and t.illespie picked up out of the ruck to score in the corner. White’s kick missed. St Bede s were still attacking when. the game ended: ST BEDE’S IS ST ANDREW'S 5 Beferee: Mr I'. C. Spooner.