WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL v CHRIST'S COLLEGE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9818, 30 August 1897, Page 3

WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL v CHRIST'S COLLEGE.

The schools' tournament was opened on Saturday afternoon on the Christ's College ground, when the Wangatsui Collegiate School met Christ's College. The former won by 9 points (two tries and a goal from a penalty kick) to 8 points (a goal from a try and a try). The day was beautifully fine and the great interest takeu in tho j contest was shown by the large number of spectators present, a great number being ladies. The game was right to the end a fine exhibition of fast open football in which the interest was kept up throughout, while the excitement shown by both sides was most intense. On the teams lining out it was evident that the visitors had a great deal of the advantage in the matter of weight, though the Christ's College team were very sturdy and nuggety. Waiigantii kicked off, and a mull by the College full-back placed Christchurch on the defensive. Good play by the latter's forwards carried the game back to the halfway, but a-series of passing rushes by the visitors pressed the College very hard. Weston, Louisson and Cotterill relieved, but Beetham and Livick carried play back again, and a scrum took place on the College lins, where Montgomerie, Beetham and Livick made stroug efforts to score. Blunden relieved by following up well a kick by Louisson, and play was taken to the halfway. Johnston carried the ball back to the College twenty-five, and Wanganui were awarded a free kick, which was taken by Hewitt, who placed a goal. After the kickotf the College came away with a strong dash, headed by Lindsay, Holderness, Orr and Overton. From a loose scrum Weston got the ball and passed smartly to Louisson. The latter sent it on to Cotterill, who made a splendid run from the half-way with tha Wanganui men in hot pursuit. He outpaced them in fine style, and touched down amid tremendous cheering. No goal was kicked, and the score of both sides was thus equal. Shortly after Cotterill raised more applause by getting away again, but was called back. The spell ended shortly afterwards. On resuming the Wanganui began on the attack at once, and some good runs and passing rushes were made by Beetham, Livick, Johnston and others, from one of which Beetham fell over the line. No goal resulted, and on kicking out Beetham again got away, but was beautifully collared by Louisson. Overton (College) kicked well down the field, but Johnston, the Wanganui half, who was playing a hard, plucky game, carried play back, and shortly after he got over the line from a pass by Livick. No goal was kicked from the try. JTjjfl College forwards then buckled down and fine play by Holderness, Lindsay and Overton took the play to within fifteen yards of the visitors' line. Weston secured the ball from Pascoe and, making a clever feint, beat the opposing back and quickly passed to Cotterill, who again dashed over, and running on scored near the goal posts. Weston tuok the kick and landed a goal. This made the College only a point behind the visitors, and they made desperate efforts to make up the deficiency. A Wanganui attack was stalled off by Fryer, and when the whistle sounded play was near the Wanganui lines. Mr W. G. Garrard was the referee.