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The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review October 1911

Canterbury College Match

page 64

Canterbury College Match.

The annual match against Canterbury College was played at Lancaster Park. Christchurch, shortly after the beginning of the second term, and resulted in a win for Canterbury.

The game throughout was extremely fast and open, the Canterbury men playing with great dash. Their forward division was superior to ours, but in the backs we had the advantage.

Canterbury started with an attack, Ryan clearing with a tremendous kick. Our opponents' back division kept things merry, and from a good passing rush Colthart scored at the corner. V.C. backs then took a. hand and forced the home team. This did not last long, and Smith, with a clever run, dashed for the line. O'Shea saved welt and was assisted by Ryan and Poananga, who were putting in some good work. Colthart, from some loose play on the half-way line, got the ball, and, with a great run, beat his opponent and scored a brilliant try. Our backs now showed some good combination and looked dangerous. A kick across the field enabled O'Shea to get a clear run, but he was overtaken near the line by one of the Canterbury backs.

On resuming after half-time Canterbury attacked, and an indiscreet kick giving Mansell a chance, he ran round behind the posts. He converted the try himself. The V.C. backs worked hard for the rest of the game. From a passing rush between Poananga, Stainton, Ryan and Dobbie, the last-mentioned player was enabled to score a good try at the corner. V.C. still kept pressing. Quilliam and Curtayne putting in some good work, but were unable to increase the score, the game ending canterbury 11, V.C. 3.

v. Petone, at Petone. Lost by 30 to 6. The first spell was closely contested. but in the second the good form of the Petone players proved too much for our untrained team. Faire scored a try for College, and Curtayne kicked a goal from a mark.

v. St. James, at Karori. Lost by 17 to nil. In this game College did better than had been expected of them, and put up a very good fight. As usual ill-luck was our fate, and St. James scored nine points in the first ten minutes. After this College became more aggressive, and kept hurling attack after attack at the red lines, but were unable to score. Our opponents, by securing two further tries and converting one of them, increased their score by 8 points.

page 65

v. Poneke, at Karori. Lost by 20 to 6. This game was more closely contested than the score would indicate, and for a considerable part of it College pressed hard on Poneke's line. However, the College backs blundered badly, and allowed our opponents to score two or three easy tries. For College, Ryan kicked a nice goal from a mark, and Curtayne scored a try front a clever centre by Faire.

v. St. James, at Karori. Lost by 28 to 6. With six of our senior players in Sydney, and the vacation on, College were forced to put in the field a team composed chiefly of junior and third-class players. They must, however, be congratulated on the good fight they put up, particularly in the first spell, when they kept St. James busy. Poananga, was the shining star for College, playing his best game to date. He kicked a splendid goal from a mark. Anton scored a good try as the result of a passing rush.

v. Southern, at Athletic Park. Lost 31 to 3. College again had a very weak team and were easily defeated. The first spell was evenly contested; in fact. College made the pace merry for the opposing team. Some clever play by Poananga enabled Salmond to cross the line. Duncan, who was making his first appearance of the season, had to leave the field early in the game with an injured collar bone.

v. Old Boys, at Karori. Lost by 13 to 3. College were unfortunately unable to put their proper team in the field against Old Boys. On the play our opponents deserved their win, although College pressed hard for a considerable part of the game. Stainton, who had captained the team for the three preceding Saturdays did yeoman service. Our only score was a penalty goal, kicked by Stainton.

v. Oriental, at Karori. Lost by 25 to nil. With our players back from Sydney we expected to make a better game for our opponents, but that was not to be. College played a miserable game, and were fortunate the score was not more. Stainton, at half, put in some good solid work.

v. Athletic, at Karori. Lost by 19 to 3. This game was fairly fast and open, the backs throwing the ball about in good style. The Athletic score was chiefly the result of good individual play. The only score for College notched near the close of the game, was a surprise to the Athletic men. It was the result of a good passing rush. O'Shea, scenting a score, dashed down the line, transferred to Ryan who passed to Curtayne at the critical moment, and thus enabled him to score a brilliant try.

v. Melrose, Won by 3 to nil. If College had played throughout the season as they did against Melrosa, some of the teams who stand high on the championship list might have been occupying different places. This was the first victory for College this year. The game was pretty fast, and our backs frequently indulged in good passing bouts. The Melrosians were a little superior in the forward division. The opening stages of the game were wholly in our favour. A good passing rush initiated by Ryan, and carried on by Poananga, enabled Faire to score a good try at the corner. Two or three times after this rake made great efforts to increase the score, but each time he had hard luck. In the early part of the second spell Melrose assumed the offensive, but page 66 our defence was too sound to be easily broken down. During the latter part of the game College attacked strongly, but missed two or three certain tries through small mistakes.

v. Poneke, at Rayon. Lost by 12 to 8. College, encouraged by their victory of the previous Saturday, had more confidence, and played a very good game. The team played a fine, vigorous game; in fact, no one would have been surprised to see them leave the field victorious. In the first spell play was of an even up and down character. The reds placed a penalty goal, and secured a try. The second spell was opened by College with a strong attack. The upshot was that Daniell had an opportunity to score from a loose rush, and took it with alacrity, Ryan converting. A few minutes later Faire scored the Seal try. The game became more willing, and strenuous efforts were made to score. Poneke were awarded a free kick, and by placing a goal succeeded in establishing a lead. Soon afterwards they crossed the line again.

v.Wellington, at Athletic Park. Won by 11 to 6. College deserved their victory over Wellington, as they did show some combination. However, the game as a whole was not up to standard—there was no dash about it. Early in the game Ryan kicked a penalty goal. In the second spell College indulged in one or two passing rushes. From one of these Quilliam secured a good try at the corner. Passing between the backs enabled Ryan to cross the line, Curtayne converting.

The match against Petone was abandoned by mutual consent.

Matches played. 17; won, 2 lost. 15; drawn. 1; points for, 61: against, 303.