IN THE BOOM

NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 14

IN THE BOOM

Varsity Shows The Way Home (From "N.Z. Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) For the first time since Varsity entered the Canterbury Rugby Union's senior competition the students are headed straight for the championship. W/ITH a lead of one point and three " games to play Varsity are now going better than ever; the best first grade club team that Canterbury has seen out since Marist withdrew from the code. There were about 12,000 people at Lancaster Park to see the Varsity — Merivale battle, and they were given a wonderful exhibition of high-class football. With the ground soggy after the heavy rains, and the ball treacherous and greasy, both sides tossed the leather about m vivid, unorthodox dashes. There were no beg-pardons about the play; probably it was the hardest game that has been played this season m Canterbury, but there , was very little of the rough stuff. ' Chesley^s Checking All this season Merivale have had g-aps In their defence, a weakness m position, play that has enabled the weakest teams to put on points against them. It took Varsity the best part of the first spell to find those weaknesses, and m the second spell the students used their knowledge to the greatest advantage. In the end the. Merivale forwards were played to an absolute standstill, and, despite the difference m the scores, the game held interest from start to finish, for most of the tries scored were spectacular. C. D. Chesley was played once more at full-back, and, with the exception of 'one or two mistakes, gave a fine exhibition. More than once he raced up alongside a wing-three-quarter, making an extra man m the attacking line. It was a successful move. Monty Calder, on the left wing, Was right on form, and he made some

spectacular dashes down the line. He was m the picture all the time. J. H. F. Sugden was another who came m this category. The manner m which he set his backs going made him look like a prospect for the reps. L. G. Loveridge, on the right wing, played easily his best game this season, tearing into attack with a determination that has been lacking hitherto. J. B. Jackson and A. Y. Montgomery were the best of the pack, and S. Fookes gave an exceptionally fine exhibition of wing-forward play. Merivale; were unlucky to lose T; Davies m the first spell, necessitating a re-arrangement of the backs, but the backs started the day off badly. Stands Out . , C. Oliver was m form, and for the greater part of the play was. well marked out for the crowd by a big bandage round his head. Time after time he turned defence ' into attack with a strong run. Bill Oliver worked like a tiger behind the Merivale pack. Strong m defence he went down to the burly maroon forwards like a hero. Dick-Norrie was overshadowed by Fookes at wing-for;ward, but he showed continued improvement m this position, and frequently broke away m good style. With several changes m their backs Christchurch were still able to put it, well across Albion, whose pack put up a good battle for the first spell, but found the weight handicap too much m the second. The Christchurch backs went well, their passing being right up to standard. The red • and blacks have found a first-class full-back m J. Mills* who improves with each game. He made no mistakes on Saturday. Christchurch won by 33 points to 15, only three of nine tries being converted. Old Boys ateo threw the heavy ball about. in smart fashion to beat Linwood, 20 — 0. The . green and blacks started off the season well, and at one stage were unlucky not to be at the head of the list. Dave Hay was the pivot of the white attacks, . and his handling was little short of marvellous. He was collecting the ball from all angles.