COLLEGIATE SCHOOL AND CHRIST’S COLLEGE TO PLAY IN RUGBY FINAL

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 August 1950, Page 6

COLLEGIATE SCHOOL AND CHRIST’S COLLEGE TO PLAY IN RUGBY FINAL

NELSON, Last Night (Special).— Christ’s College and Wanganui Collegiate School will meet tomorrow in the final of the inter-collegiate Rugby tournament being played at Nelson. On Saturday, Wanganui beat Nelson College 16—13, in a thrilling match, while Christ’s and Wellington Colleges drew, B—all. Christ’s went into the final because of a tournament rule, covering drawn matches, which gives preference to the team which has not won the contest for the longest time. The matches were played in brilliant sunshine on the Nelson pollege ground, which was in perfect order after overnight rain. There was a crowd of more than 4000. The Wanganui fifteen played the brightest and mest finished Rugby of any team in the tournament. Nelson jumped into a s—o lead at the ■ ery start of the match and controlled the early scrums and line-outs, but when they did receive the ball, the Wanganui backs showed themselves to be a smart attacking 'orce. As the half progressed the Wanganui forwards settled down and with quick heeling from the scrums and rucks sent the backs away again and again.

Two tries, both of which were converted, were scored before half time. Nelson secured a penalty goal at the start of the second spell and, about 10 minutes before time, scored a goal from a try to lead 13—10. The Wanganui backs set up a series of strong attacks and before time scored t\Vb tries to gain a well-deserved win. G. D. Cameron, R. N. Baker, D. M. iK. Jones and D. G. Hamilton scored i tries for Wanganui, two being con[verted by B. W. McKenzie. For Nelson, G. Bowers scored a try, converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal, and D. Pomare scored a try. Christ’s and Wellington were evenly matched in both the backs and the forwards. In the first half, the Christ’s pack had the better of the scrums and line-outs and their backs saw a lot of the ball, but in the second spell the Wellington forwards began to get the upper hand. Both backlines frequently sent the ball out to the three-quarters, but the- movements were generally ended by sound tackling. Neither team had much punch on the inside. Wellington’s points came from tries by P. R. Hutana and T. Cooper, on? being converted by R. I. Murray. For Christ’s, J. K. Wardell scored a try and kicked a penalty, T. C. Henshall kicking a conversion.