COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 180, 31 July 1936, Page 12

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

MATCH AT PALMERSTON COLLEGIATE SCHOOL LOSES i HOME SIDE B—6 VICTORY By eight points to six, Palmerston North Boys’ High School defeated Wanganui Collegiate School in the annual Rugby fixture played at Palmerston North Showgrounds, yesterday. Each side scored two tries, the winners gaining the deciding points from a conversion. It was a fast and entertaining game, both sides handling with great freedom, Wanganui were actually superior in this department, but School showed more forward enterprise and at the same time kept their opponents’ score down by delightful tackling. Wanganui, though securing from the majority of scrums, were unable to translate this advantage into points. The day was sunny, with a brisk wind blowing diagonally across the field. The teams were:--Palmerston North (black and white)).—E. Edwards, E. Davidson, G. Annear, K. Robbie, R. Law, A. Rose, J. Scott, D. Beard, J. Barrett, L. Whibley, R. Carter, C. Baigent, A. Langley, R. Moor, K. Sutton. Wanganui (white). —G. Bertram, D. G. Bradley, J. Sherratt, J. O. Williams, J. Palmer, J. Meuli, J. S. H. Jackson, I. Mackenzie, J. C. Dowding, D. Vallance, E. H. Smith, J. Hislop, R. Murphy, W. H. Green, D. Barker. Palmerston North kicked off, and the forwards promptly launched a sweeping attack that disconcerted Collegiate, the visitors stemming the rush on their goal-line in the nick of time. Several scrums were ordered, but Collegiate eventually retrieved with a long kick into touch. The first fifteen minutes of play were almost entirely in Collegiate territory until a penalty was awarded. Green attempted a shot at goal from half-way but a good attempt fell short. Collegiate now showed something of their attacking prowess and several thrusts all but found a way through the defence. From a scrum, Jackson got the ball away, and when it reached Sherratt, the centre made a brilliant run and after passing several men he appeared set for a try. Edwards, however, stepped into the picture, and in evading his tackle, Sherratt was thrown into touch by the corner flag. The College rearguard was handling splendidly and threatened School with several movements in succession. High School recovered ground and were prepared to handle as freely as their opponents, if less accurately. They turned on a surprise, however, when the forwards invaded in concert, getting through the defence with the ball at their feet. With Sutton and others in support, Moor went to the front, secured possession, and dodged across for a. try close in. Beard raised the flags with a good kick. The home team was soon attacking again, Beard, Sutton and Baigent going through a lot of good work. Robbie, when the ball came his way, attempted a field goal, missing narrowly. Half-time found the forwards toiling hard in midfield. The Second Half The Collegiate were called upon to face the sun on resumption, but their handling lost nothing, and School had to maintain a crisp display of tackling to repulse the speedy backs. Using the touchline to advantage, School went deep into foreign territory, but were bustled in the scrums so that their attack was crippled. Sherratt led the visitors away in a dangerous handling movement, and although repulsed on one occasion, he was soon in the picture again, cooperating prettily with Meuli and then Bradley. Sherratt ran round outside the wing to accept the final transfer and score. The kick failed, and the home team retained the lead by two points. There was a stoppage wnen a Wanganui player was injured as he went down in a tackle, but alter receiving attention he was able to continue. At once the whites wheeled away in an open movement and Palmer cut in in clever fashion to beat the defence and hand on to Sherratt, who went across to register Wanganui’s, and his own, second try. Green’s kick was unsuccessful. Collegiate 6; High School 5. High School made a brave attempt to regain the lead. Storming the line with a series of thrusts by the rearguard, Robbie and Davidson each tried to find a passage down the sideline, but they were cramped for room. Law made a great attempt to beat the defence, cutting ouc several men with a stylish run. He could not pass Bertram,"however, and there were no supports in reach to accept his transfer. The forwards tooic up the running, seeking to carry tne ball before them and their tactics were rewarded when Barrett, with the whole pack in support, won his way over to score. Beard’s kick was unsuccessful. There were several stoppages for injuries, both sides feeling the effect of the fast, hard play. Meuli and : Palmer launched Wanganui on an- ‘ other rush, but the defending backs > got among the line successfully, and I then Robbie transferred the venue with a kick down the wind. The High School vanguard was over-eager and infringed several times in the tight. Bradley made an enterprising incursion along the outside and threw off several tacklers before he was hauled down a few yards short of the line. Beard led the School forwards back in a combined sortie, pushing their opponents off the ball and keeping it close before them. School kept the game well in hand, and when the bell sounded they were attacking strongly. The ' final tally was:— High School 8; Collegiate 6. Mr A. A. Gordon was_the re'eree.

Repairs to Town Wharf. Repairs to the piles and decking of the Town Wharf at Wanganv’ are 1 now being effected. Considerable progress has been made since the work bommenced about a week ago and the mooring piles are being strengthened. The Wanganui Harbour Board has a small punt with mast and derrick for lifting the beams into position and the little vessel is now doing good service. Owing to the delays caused at other ports through rough weather, few coastal boats have been moored at the Town Wharf this week and the absence of shipping has enabled the work to be advanced to a stage nearing completion.