HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18135, 26 July 1924, Page 15

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

WAITAKI T. CHRISTCHURCH LOCAL TEAM SUCCESSFUL. The annual match between the first fifteens of the Waitaki and Christchurch Boys' Iligh Schools was played on the Oval at Lancaster Park yesterday afternoon before about 3000 spectators. The Christchureh team were the winners by 12 points to 3. The day was an ideal one for football, but the ground, n.s might be expected after the recent rains, was very heavy and militated against bright and spectacular play. Even making allowances for this the contest was disappointing, and there have been many better games. Both teams were below full strength, however, the Waitaki captain, A. Duggan, and C. Fleming being spectators, while the Christchureh team was without the services of Taylor, Skipworth, and Nansen. Waitaki were also unfortunate in losing the services of Oiorgi, who retired at half-time, for he had been playing well up to the time of receiving a head injury. Brewnlce, who replaced him, had already played in the junior team, and. under the cireunnstances, did very well. While the Christchureh boys deserved their win, as a team they were not sO immeasurably superior to the visitors as the scores might indicate. Individually the Waitaki players were in many cases as good, if not superior to, their opponents, but they seemed to lack finish, and this, as much as anything, contributed to their defeat. Possibly the experiences of the competition amongst the local schools helped the Boys' High School team.to win ' yesterday's match. The forwards on both sides worked hard, and as is customary in matches of this kind when the players are not. familiar, it is Jiard to individualise. The backs of both . teams showed only flashes of bright play, and the attempts at passing -were a long way below standard. The match ' started punctually, both teams giving very creditable hakas prior to the kick-off.

The Teams. Waitaki (Red and Blaek). S. Faulkes. G. liart, E. M. Hunter, J. Gilkison. M. Wright, E. Giorgi. D. Loder. M..Wylie, M. Houston, R. Thomas, Jv. Trotter, J. D. Trotter, 11. Douglas, R. McGregor, J. Eadie. • Christchurch (Blue and 'Black)'. R. A. Buxton. E. P. Sullivan,; W. Merritt, M. C. Calder. G. Melirtens, J. R. Crawshaw. G. C. Harper. F. J. McMillan, J. 11. Pickles, M. W. Simes, C. G. Chambers, A. G."E. Stirling, 11. T. J, Thacker, C. H. Perkins, , C. If. Williams. The Rev. W. B. Scott was referee. The Play. Cliristcliurch lost the toss and Merritt kicked off against the sun. The Blue 3 set up an attack, the ball going out in the W'aitaki' 25. Faulkes was safe, however, and returned play to neutral territory. Form a scrum Harper sent his backs away and Calder was just pulled down in time. Waitaki were penalised for picking out of the scrum and Mehrtena, following through well, was within' an ace of scoring, but hung on too long. "JVaitaki were penalised right in front of the posts and Meiritt kicked an easy goal. ' Christchurch | .. ••.. 3. Waitaki .. . 0 Christchurch attacked from the kick out and Douglas went down to the Blue forwards, marking smartly. The Reds then took a turn and WrigKt made a I splendid run,.but the Blue defence was sound. A minute later Wright's transfer to Hunter went astray when a score seemed certain. Loder sent the ball away on the blind side to. Hart, who made a determined f® down the line but went out. The Blues we're.'.penalised right on their line and Faulkes from wide out had an unsuccessful shot at goal, p. mihnte later having another unsuccessful attempt from the other side., Calder charged'down a Red re-, turn and the Blues held play' at half way. Harper worked the blind side to Calder, but a good, mark by Hunter gavo relief. The local boys were penalised just outside their own 25 and Giorgi took the kick, but the ball fell short. After a spell of dull play in midfield Merritt broke through and Gilkison just saved by falling-on the balli The Blues were within an ace of scoring but a bad pass from a scrum by Harper lost a good opportunity.' Mehrtcns attempted a ppt at goal and Waitaki foreed. From a scrum at halfway the ball travelled along the. Blue backs to Sullivan, who lacked the necessary pace to finish off a goou movement, being pushed out at the corner.. From the line out Calder received, and attempted to pot without success. Waitaki worked their way back to Blue territory, but Wright hung on too long. Harper sent Sullivan away oh the blind side but the threequarter was pushed out before he had travelled far. liarper, Crawshaw, and Calder made a good rr.n but Calder was well tackled by Hart, Merritt then, had a feeble pot at goal, and W'aitaki cleared to half way. A Waitaki passing rush was intercepted by Mehrtcns, who transferred to Merritt. The latter outpaced the opposition and raced round to score behind the posts. He; failed to convert his own try. The bell then rang for . half time with the scores: — ■ . Christ church .. 0 . Waitaki 0

SECOND SPELL. Tlio Waitaki team was altered owing to George receiving an injury in the first spell. Hart went to first fiveeighths, and Brownlec came on as right wing-three-quarter. The Blues attacked first, and a passing rush broke down at Merritt. The Iteds then took turn, but' indifferent passing saw Gilkinson tackled without making much headwav. The Bine ba.cks set up a hot attack by loose'rushes, ending with Mohrtens picking up and diving over. Merritt failed with tlio kick. Ohrislchureh • - . . 0 Waitaki •• -• 0 The Blues were penalised just outside their twenty-five, and Hunter attempted to drop-kick a goal, the haU going just outside the posts. Pickles led a Bine rush to the other end of the ground, and the Beds oemg penalised, Merritt kicked a good goal. Christchurch ■ • " "*n Waitaki ■ • . • 0 The Beds attacked, but Hunter gave Brownlec a bad pass. Calder broke nwav, but was well tackled by Hunter. Harper sent Crawshaw awny, the ball going to Calder, who passed m-fleld, o scramble ensuing. The Reds looked like breaking away, but McMillan came across and kicked out. N. Trotter led a Waitaki forward rush to the Blue twenty-five. Tho Waitaki backs made a determined run, Wright passing to Hunter to Wvlie, the last-named just being collared b}' Merritt in. time. The Waitaki back* continued to press, and Wright was tackled when in a-good position, with two men; outside hini, A speculator

bv Mehrieus relieved the local team, iiiid play went to the YTaitaki end. Waitaki again came to the attack, and the ball travelling along backs, Loder to Jlart to Brownlee, rno lastnamed passed in to Wright, .who scored at the corner, carrying away the corner flag. The. try was unconverted. Christchurch • • ~12 Waitaki - • • • 3 ■ ■ The final bell sounded just after with the scores unaltered.

the junior game. Tlia match, between the second fifteens of the schools-was played prior to the senior- match on the south ground, which cut up badly. Waitaki were superior, and at half-time led b\ li points to nil. On changing over the local bovs did better, but Waitaki a)bO improved their score, the Jiuiil points being: Waitaki, l'J; Ohristchurch, tf. McCallant {-) and Brown ce (-> scored for the visitors, Blundell converting two, while Bilcliff, Corabie, and Webster scored for the Christct.urcii team. '