Ashburton College Rugby Under 16 (Red) 1972

Statistics:

Games played: 12. Won 11

Points for: 790

Points against: 52

Only loss was the Methven High School 1st 15 which included mostly older players.

Taking the Methven College game out of the equation, results of games against "peer" teams would be:

Played: 11. Won 11

Points for: 776

Points against: 22

It's important to remember that in those days a try was worth only 4 points.

A "friendly" game was arranged against the Ashburton College 1st 15. The first 15 won but only after the Under 16 team was ahead at full time however the coaches agreed to play on until the 1st 15 scored (to save face for the highly rated 1st 15).

The team was so far ahead of one team at half time that the coach swapped the forwards and backs around., A little arrogant I guess in today's environment.

Number of College players picked to represent Mid Canterbury in the Under South Island Tournament held in Nelson that year: 11

Team from left to right (* denotes players to represent Mid Canterbury that year):

Back Row: Neil Donaldson. Paul Brand*. Steven Downward*. Robin Jamieson. Mark Walls*. Peter Sinclair

Middle Row: Ken Lynch (Coach). Grant Robinson*. Murray Kerr*. Jimmy Upton. Malvern Galletly*. Ross Sampson*. Lloyd Major

Front Row: Bill Calder*. Donald Campbell*. Richard Denley* (Captain). Jeff Banks* (Vice Captain). Mark Sinclair. Chris Cumpstone.

Kindly submitted by Bill Calder - 12 January 2018