FOOTBALL.

Northern Advocate, 2 July 1917, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

HIGH SCHOOL v. BIKURANGI.

Last Saturday Whangarei High School football team journeyed by train to Bikurangi to meet a Hikurangi team. The ground was rather sticky, and in one part of the playing field a miniature lake was very prominent.

The visiting team won the toss and kicked up, against the wind. The ball was quickly followed up, but it was soon found that the forwards of the visiting team were unable to open up to thieir backs, as the opposing forwards were heavy and quick, and in consequence the game was mostly a forward one, a slight advantage being with the Bikurangi team.

After twenty minutes of hard play for both sides, the teams changed over, and the school made endeavours to open up to their backs, thus giving them the to score; but the opponents were too strong. The home team made several sharp rushes, but by good kicking the school broke them up, and so managed to defeat their purpose. Half-time was called and th| ? , teams had a much-appreciated rest.

High School again kicked off, and the game was mainly in the miniature lake, which by this time had become thoroughly mixed with the Bikurangi mud. In the last twenty minutes the play really commenced, and the groups of small boys who were ex. citedly watching the match, gave voice to their feelings with the noble expression, "Put the boot in, Biker!" And Hiker did. With a smart dash A, Lamb scored, but the try was not converted. By th's/ir combination, the school forced the play out of their own twenty-five, but still the .school* backs could not be made use of as they should have been. A kick from quarter-way, brought the ball out to the wing three-quarters, and E. de Tcurret, with fine dash from half-way, dodged the backs .and bn account of his spired got through and scored. This try bucked up the few supporters the school had, and their shouts encour aged the players, and in suite of the vigorous opposition put up by the home team, the visiting team forced the ball over, and ,C. Lambly scored and converted. Soon after this the referee (Mr Quinn), who had render ed good service, blew the whistle and the .game ended, the High School defeating the Bikurangi team by eleven to ml.