SCHOOL RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 200, 27 August 1935, Page 4

SCHOOL RUGBY

INTER-COLLEGE TOURNEY VICTORY TO WANGANUI SPIRITED, SPECTACULAR FINAL In a fast, exciting match, the Wanganui uohegiate School defeated Christ's College by nine points to nil yesterday aau thus won the 1935 uitcr-cOx.egiate Rugby tournannict winch began on Saturday, x.effmgton Co.icge accounted lor Nelson College ni the contest to decide whicii team should take home the '' wooden spoon.’’ ft is eight years since Wanganui hffd tne cnampxonship in tnis annual series oi quauiangular contests. Owing to the nature of lhe weather, heavy rain having fallvn througlioui the morning, the CoUegkite Scliool authorities divided IQ use Spriggeus I’ark instead of the Collegiate gre-und. Such a change was welcomed oy both players and public, the facilities available at the home ol Wanganui Rugby insulting in a large crowu patronising what turned out to be a very exciting program me. \\anganui played like a team inspired. The forwards packed effectively and smothered practically every attempt by the opposition to bring their reaiguard into action. Fast bacx play, too, W'jic’n was allowed more freedom, on account of the absence oi wind, than was possible last Saturday, found vulnerable spe-ts m the South Island team’s defence. For a time H looked as though Wanganui’s inside back,-, would fall into the same rut. as they did ou Saturday, and fail to bling their wings into action before effec lively drawing tne dcience. But in the cud, fifteen minutes before time was called, as a matter ot fact, protected and fed by a very virile pack, lhe backs came into their c-wn. The stab kick was exploited judiciously and bot'h wingcis, Sherratt and Williams, were out to test the defence with centering kicks. The reverse pass was used nicely too, and it resuited in the scoring ol lhe try which clinched the the iscue- Dernier played a line game for the winners, and it was significant that when he gave it a go un his own danger threatened the opposition. For a loi'.g pcritd lhe teams battled on even terms, the only points between them being a penalty goal which Meuli had kicked for Wanganui. As time wore on it looked as though that kick was to bo the deciding factor in the match, and the sides would leave tire field with honours fairly even. But, fifteen minutes before time was called, Wanganui brought the backs into action with something like determination, with a result that two tries were scored within a few minutes of each other and conclusively gave victory lu the team which deserved it. Christ’s College forwards battled very hard, but lac back line was not thrustful enough to press that advantage home in the long minutes of attacking which settled on Wanganui’s line early m tne second spell. The Nelson-Wellington match was not so spectacular or interesting as the other. Wellington deserved to win, largely for the reason that the side had the better backs. WANGANUI'S MATCH HOW THE SCORES WERE MADE AN EXCITING FINISH Wanganui's score of nine was made up i.f two unconverted tries scored in mi exciting finish and a penalty goal, kicked in lhe early stages of the game. The teams were: — Wanganui Collegiate School (white): J. J. Palmer; J. R Sherratt, J. L. Meuli, A. J. 0. Williams; J. R. Price, C. AL G. Dernier; P. L. Pierce; 8. Ful-lerton-Smith, V. R. Smith, Failoon, O. C. Martin, J. T. Clcre, W. JH. P. Green, W. Ryan (captain), H. Morrisou Christ’s College (black and white). 11. A. Ostler; R. C. Webb, M. Watson, A. M. West-Watson; B, K. Wagner, K. J. K. Skelley; W. J. Byrne; P. Tovey, C. N. D. Taylor, 11. H. Beaie, G. T. Kain, J. IL 8. Orbell, J. V. Alasefield, Al. G. Somerville, G. B. Spiers. Christ’s College attacked at lhe opening, and camo away in a passing rush, which was broken at the. centre. Wanganui retaliated with a similar open move which came to grief al Price. Fumbling bp the home fiveeighth line let lhe visitors win to within fifteen yards of the goal. Aleuli marked to save a dangerous situation. Wanganui made the first promising move, coming away with a passing rush towards Williams’ wing. The move broke at the centre, but Fierce picked up and centred. Ostier gathered in, and eluding the followers-up, found the line. Wanganui treated the spectators to a flash of that football whicii the public so dearly loves. The forwards, with Green, Alomson, and Falloc-n prominent, challenged the visitors wit.ii a passing rush. ‘Williams came into the picture and was lei away down the line, io full to a well judged tackle. Christ’s College were penalised a moment later and Meuli goaled —Wanganui 3, Christ’s College It was somo reward for the spectacular play of the moment bvforc. Wan ganui now mid a degree of confidence behind them, and were exploiting the punt up-field, constantly keeping Chi Ist \s College on the run. Wanganui were penalised for lying un the ball ami Ostler failed to goal. The visitors became the aggressive side at this stage, and, getting the ball from lhe scrums, kept thrusting at the white defence. Mas-elield, Somerville, and Spiers were proTliinen( in a milling contest on the home line, but Palmer cleared effectively. A brilliant at tacking move was made by the W?.n ganui backs. Tire ball travelled through the whole line, aftvr Dormer had eai-in, to Sherratt ami lhe winger challenged in a. strong run, g King his

in-field pass to Meuli, to Dernier, who lost the ball when over the line and Christ’s forced. Feet up in the scrum cost Wanganui a penalty, just outside the twenty-live, but Ostler failed to goal. The score was still three to nil in favour of the visitors at half-time. T'lie sped had been remarkably even, Wanganui, if anything having the best of the open play. A stab kick by Wdnganui had the visitors in trouble immediately after the resumption, the bounce beating Ostler, and Watson carried the ball back. Wanganui got the ball from a loose rush, and I’nce looked as though he was going to pul a goal, but changed nis mind, and sent the backs away. Williams was tackled and the move came to nothing. Play was transferred to the other end of the field as the result or the visitors’ forwards Keeping close behind the ball. Wanganui got out ot danger as the result of a penalty aw aided against the visitors for an iniringemenl in a line out. Away came the Wanganui backs, playing to Bnerratt’s wing. He was left to contend with a rolling ball, but gathered in well, ran over thirty yards and then centred. The defence jusi had the pace to get round and force as the home centre backs were challenging. The visitors' pack came away in a dribbling rush, led by Somerville and Alaselitld. The ball was kicked into the corner, and matters looked dangerous fur the homo side. But they rallied wonderfully and t'he forwards tooK the ball away at toe. Bae?, came the Christ’s College pack and Byrne played Webu away on the blind side, ihe winger was forced into touch near the corner and Wanganui were compelled to force following the throw-in. A Herculean battle was being made by the Christ College pack, but each time reliance was placed on the inside backs they were too slow. Byrue attempted a drop-kicked goal, failed, and the whites got back to a drop-out as Hie result oi the ball going dead. There were fifteen minutes left to play and the Christ College pack were making strenuous effoils tu get over, but the home defence was game and effective kicking for the line raved their goal time after time. Terrific barracking on The touchline told u4‘ the exceptional public interest. Women as well as men were calling on the teams to belter effort. The deciding move of the tournament came when Fierce worked the blind side at half-way for Dernier to play Williams up. He gathered the ball in nicely and made a nice run down the left wing. Dernier was racing behind him and accepted the infield pass, when the fullback was draw’n x and outpaced the opposition to a great try. Aleuli’& kick failed.—Wanganui 6, Christ’s Cc-llcge U. Another try came "Wanganui’s way jusl in the dying moments of bhe game. All the backs handled to the centre, and with Sherratt racing beside him Aleuli scored. The kick failed. —Wanganui 9, Christ’s College 0. Thus a great game ended! Air. W. H. Ivowe was the referee. NELSON’S “WOODEN SPOON” WELLINGTON BACKS TOO GOOD It fell to Nelson’s lot to take the “wooden spoon” home. The teams were:— Nelson (dark and light blue). —J. K. Ward; A. H. C. Boxer, N. 8. Afaxwell, B. W. Bailey; A. H. Grindle, A. E. Mitchell; G. 8. Henry; C. W. Newman, M. Gomez, G. 8. Walter, D. 11. Corbin, 11. L. AlcLareii, 11. F. Blair, A. 11. C. Dodson. # Wellington (black).—D. R. Alexander; 11. W. Robertson, D. J. Pocknall, J. W. AlcArthur; P. A. Ongiey, G. K. Young; J. J. Bradley; T. J. Doole, A. W. Gillies, L. 8. Barrett, K. W. Tait, A. 11. Harding, L. T. Woodcock, A. V. Cadwallader, L. W. Gandar. Dominating the play up in front Nelson attacked from the first quarter of an hour. Bradley, receiving the ball from a nick, cut in instead of passing to his backs, and was supported by the WclUngton breakaways. An endeavour to bring the left wing (Robertson) into action failed when a pass went astray. Wellington then had Nelson in their own twenty five and a penalty against the defenders enabled Alexander to take a shot at goal, but the ball fell short. Welling ton were dominating the ball at this stage and just when the crowd was ex peeling a Wellington try, tho Nelson first five-eighth, Alitchell, intercepted a pass and transferred to Maxwell, to KJorbin, who passed to Grindle, who just managed to elude Alexander’s dive for his feet, and reacih the goal. The move had transferred the play almost from one end of the field to the other. AlcLarcu goaled.—Nelson 5, Wellington 0. Nelson attacked solidly in the for.wards, but the Wellington backs were gelling possession ami beatiiig wuu.dbe tacklers rather badly. A promising Wellington move in the backs came away to AlcArthur's wing. The winger slipped over as be took bhe ball and Alaxwell picked up and transferred to Bailey, wno was tackled when in full Hight for the line. Following a for ward rush by Wellington, Ward line I nicely, and, following the throw in, Hansen, won a great deal of ground with a challenging run. The Nelson backs opened out, ami Mitchell, trying to cut in, was collared. The ball trickled out to Alaxwell, however, ami a ral'iier clever pick up enabled him to give. Bailey a clear run in. AlcLaren's Kick failed. —Nelson 8, Wvllington U. * Wellington moved into action, 10l lowing the breakdown of a Nelson passing rush, and McArthur, played u.p cn the blind side by Bradley and Ong L’y, gathered in well after his insides had hung on too long. He ran infield and was tacklvd. Immediately afterwards Wellington were awarded a free kick. They elected to up and under instead of try the goal. The for wards closed with lhe ball, ami, from a scramble on the Nelson line, Doole scored. Tihe kick, from within easy jange, was not successful.- Wellington 3, Nelsen 8. This was the score at half lime. Wellington attacked at the opening of th > second spell, a free kick enab ling the side to line in Nelson's territory. From such a position the Wei linglon backs were able to pierce the defence. Ongiey ran in find drew the Nelson defence into the centre of the field. When that mc-ve broke Bradley got bhe ball away on the right wing ami AlcArthur finished tine attack oil with a try. The kick failed. W’el lington 6, Nelson 8. Wellington had a eluince to a id a further three points with a penalty kick, but the ball went xv ide and Nel son cleared. Wellington maintained tho pi'essurc in the forwards and what looked like a try. and was appealed

for as sucih, resulted in a live-yard scrum. Play hovered on the Nelson line, the Wellington forwards calling the tune. The attacking backs were atlempling to pierce the defence, but tne five-eighths were hanging on too long and the passing was not accurate. Nelson retaliated by effectively find ing the line, and, for a period, play centred in the Wellington twenty five, only to be sent back with a long kick by Gandar. Wellington were close to Nelson’s line 15 minutes before the end of the game and a penalty went against the defenders. Alexander, from wide out, made no mistake with the kick and put his team a point in in tho load. —Wellington 9, Nelson 8. Wellington’s backs were asserting themselves at this stage, and the ball was passed through the line to Kobertson, who challenged in a strong run. Ward tackled him gamely and was hurt. Wellington had a definite superiority, however, and the black backs moved away with precision. Bradley, Ongiey and Poeknall handled, for the last-named to cut in nicely and ground the ball under the cross-bar. Alexander goaled.—Wellington 14, Nelson 8. Nelson came away with a spirited passing rush, the whole line handling to the left wing. When there was a clear run in the pass was dropped. Wellington attacked solidly in the dying stages and, following another spirited run by Robertson, the ball was taken by several pairs of hands right over the line. Another five-yard scrum ruling had to be given. A minute later the game ended with the scores: Wellington .12, Nelson 8. Mr. George Thrush was the referee. ACTION PHOTOGRAPHS Players in the College Tournament should see action photos at Winstone’s, chemist, opposite Imperial Hotel.* WANGANUI REPS. PREPARING FOR HAWKE'S BAY Wanganui’s next representative match will be against Hawke’s Bay tomorrow week, lu view of that encounter the solo selector (Mr. G. H. Pownall) desires the representative players to keep in training. A practice is to be held at Spriggens Park this afternoon at five o’clock, and all the players who toured south, together with thoce who were selected originally but were unable to go, are to put in an appearance. RUNAWAY VICTORY HIGH SCHOOLS’ MATCH. TIMARU BEAT SOUTHLAND. ( F«r Presj Association ) TIMARU, Aug. 26. In the annual match to-day Timaru Boys’ High School scored a runaway victory over Southland Boys’ High School by 44 points to 3. Timaru were much heavier all round and the whole team were too fast for the Visitors, who battled gnmoy. Southland were superior in the set scrums but the fast Timaru forwards consist ently smothered the visiting five eighths, who had a gruelling time. Timaru scored twelve tries, lhe majority as a result of slashing back move nients, but. had an off day kicking, only four tries being converted. The superiority of the homo team was evidenced by lhe fact that the full back, who was the Timaru captain, scored two tries. The ground was very hard, due to the absence of rain over a «ong period, ami the visitors were not accustomed to the conditions encountered. AT NEW PLYMOUTH QUADRANGULAR TOURNEY. R A NGITIK EI DEFE AT EI >. ( Per Press Association. ) NEW PLY MOI TH, Aug. 26. The primary schools’ quadrangular tiurnainent was continued to day in tin.) weather. Hutt Valley defeated Rangi tikei by 1G to nil. and Taranaki beat Horowhenna by 22 to nil. Taranaki's backs showed great improvement on previous games, though the lighter Horowhenua fifteen played more solidly than against Hutt Valley. Hutt’s speedy back line was subdued aganst Rangitikei, making many mis takes, while Rangitikei’s forwards played like Trojans. Hutt, and Taranaki have four points each and Rangitikei and Horowhenua nil. The final ganifis will be ployed on

Wednesday between Hu\t ami Ta anaki, and Horowhenua an 1 Rangitikei. RUGBY LEAGUE VISIT FROM AUSTRALIA SYDNEY. Aug. 26. Following a letter from the Xew Zealand Rugby League, the Australian Board of Control has decided to send a tram of twenty players to New Zealand. They will leave Sydney on B;qteinber IS. The selectors will choose the team to-night. TOURNEY AT MASTERTON WANGANUI AND WAIBARAPA TWO TEAMS LEVEL IN RUNNING t Per Press Association. 1 MASTLRTON, Aug. 26 The result of the second day’s play in the Wellington district primary schools’ Rugby tourney is that Wairarapa and Wanganui, with three points each, are leading r rom Mana.vatu (2) and Wellington (nil). Manawatu showed improved form today to hold Wanganui to a G all draw, while Wairarapa downed WelLngtou by Wairarapa will play Wanganui and Manawatu will play Wellington in the finals on Wednesday. STRENUOUS TUSSLES ISSUE APPEARS UPLN (Special to “Chronicle”) MASTERTON, Aug. 21 Both games to-day were very strenuous tussles aud the issue of the final appears likely to be very open.