Exciting College Rugby

Nelson College ran out of time in the final of the quadrangular Rugby tournament played in Nelson last month, but the team was glorious in defeat. Wellington College disposed of Wanganui Collegiate in the first game of the tournament in a very convincing manner and early in the final with Nelson College appeared set for a mammoth winning score. Nelson, however, recaptured the tremendous verve that characterised its second-half play against Christ's College, and the second spell of the final was a thriller. Wellington's first-half lead was overhauled but a further try by Wellington in this half gave the title to the visitors. The final score, Wellington 19, Nelson 17.

In both its games, Nelson began slowly, and this slow start undoubtedly cost it the title. Wellington piled on 16 points to Nelson's 6 before half-time, and most of these came from a scoring spree in the first 15 minutes of the game. There was no stopping Nelson in the second half, however, and Wellington cracked under relentless pressure. In this period Wellington scored 3 points to Nelson' s 11, but it was enough for victory.

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Nelson wing, G. W. Smith, gets his clearing kick away when challenged.

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Nelson's final try is scored by P. J. Hildyard.

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The Nelson backs swing into action. From left: B. D. Warren, A. R. Snowden, K. G. Oxnam, Hildyard, Smith.

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Smith finished the movement with a try in the corner.

Nelson's first game, against Christ's College, ended as it began - with a thrill. The game was not a minute old when winger Smith ran about 70 yds to score a runaway try. And only 5 minutes remained when Nelson poured on the pressure to score 8 points and snatch a 14-9 victory from Christ's. Much of the first-half play was filled with errors, with the Christ's team showing the greater enterprise. Not so the second half, and especially those last five minutes.

The top three pix on this page are of the final game.

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Nelson wing Smith slips his opposite number.

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Guy Russell's clutching hand finds a target.

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Into the lineout. Nelson players prominent are Russell, Andrew, A. Henderson, A. Freeman, J. McLennan, P. Wilson, D. Calleson.

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