50 Years On – Continued Fifty years on from captaining the 1st XV rugby team, Andy Nurse (7997) and 12 members of the 1971 team were back at College together on 3 June to reminisce and watch the 2021 College–Christchurch Boys’ High School game. Watching this legendary annual battle brought back great memories for Andy, who has long hung up his boots. “We were a team which combined well,” recalled the Harper House Old Boy.
60 Years On – 1st XV 1961
“And although we lost 13-12, we played a great game.”
A flanker, he subsequently played rugby for Lincoln University, and represented both Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay. He also co-coached the College 1st XV with Andrew McLennan from 1996–1998, and had the pleasure of seeing the side beat CBHS in 1996. Andy, who these days cycles and walks to keep fit, also had three sons at College and was often on the sidelines watching them play. Another of the original 1971 team at the reunion was Chris Dampier-Crossley (7938), who remembered there being seven Jacobs House boys in the 1st XV in 1971. His son, Hugh Dampier-Crossley (11556), was also at the reunion – in the 25 years on group. Hugh, who played for two years in the 1st XV, remembers the annual fixture with CBHS clearly – he broke his collarbone in the first clash. Happily, College won both times he played against Boys’ High. These days the Cheviot farmer doesn’t have time to play but coaches his nine-year-old son’s team. Other Old Boys and rugby enthusiasts catching up at the reunions before the 3 June game included former New Zealand cricketer John Wright (8043), former staff member Peter Hewson (7962), Black Caps coach Peter Fulton (11423), Ben Dormer (11410) and CCOBA Vice President Angus Dysart-Paul (14434).
Back row: MJ Henshall, RFVB Lewis, RG Gunn Middle row: TR Lowe, RA Spence, GA Hargreaves, RL Cordery, CR Gresson, TH Parson Front row: SC Nichol, WN Scales, JS Baird (Vice-Captain), ETS Ormond, (Captain), KJS Prain, PR Black, NA Lester
Back row: MJ Henshall, RFVB Lewis, Middle row: GA Hargreaves, TJ Toddhunter , TH Parson Front row: TR Lowe, WN Scales, JS Baird (Vice-Captain), ETS Ormond, (Captain)
Once we were 15, and lost 9–3. Now we are nine and witnessed a great win. Pre-game, and with Lizzie snapping at our heels, we took coffee, were photographed and dined (team photo placemats a great idea) before watching our ‘XV’ head off to Boys’ High, smartly dressed in sponsor’s gear in two comfortable coaches. In our 60-years-on fading memory, we think we had to bike to the game. A brilliant Christchurch day and seated comfortably, we watched an entertaining and exciting game, openly admiring the athleticism of today’s superbly coached players. Faced with afternoon tea or Fat Eddie’s, the consensus was for the latter – and thanks again to the Old Boys’ Association for our drinks.
Andy Nurse (7977)
Christ’s College Canterbury
92
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