SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1924, Page 6

SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

HELENSVILLE V 1 SI TO i.\H

•SUCCESS AT HIGH. SCHOOL. The primary school boys from Helensville who have been visiting Whangarei played their second Rugby football match at the High School ground yesterday afternoon, defeating the Fourth Fifteen of the High School by 11 points to 3. There v.as quite a large gathering of interested spectators. High School won the toss and played with the sun at their backs. After the return, from Helensville's kick-off High School attacked vigorously, with the result that Helensville forced. Crawford' missed from the drop-out and plav hovered for some time in midfield. Each side was penalised in quick succession for offside play. High School again attacked strongly, but the opposing forwards met the challenge and worked the ball back to past their twenty-live. High School next instituted a nice passing bout, in which Campbell took a prominent part, but the visitors were not to be denied and negotiated successfully a

strong counter-attack, Millward being mainly responsible. From loose play the ball reached Webster, who van strongly to Williams, who made no mistake in his tackle. The High School forwards, who had so far been getting the ball, heeled out smartH, and Collins transferred to Crawford, who cut in nicely, but lost his own backs. Gibb was instrumental in shifting play to neutral territory. High School worked the ball back to the visitors' 25, but Sellars relieved the pressure with a smart mark. High School returned to the attack, but Smith relieved with a nice kick. Webstar shortly afterwards got possession near half-way and, running strongly, beat the opposition and scored a line try, which he himself failed to improve upon. —High School 3, Helensville nit.

The same boy shortly afterwards essayed another dash for the line, but was thrown out by Smith when dangerously near. Helensville were penalised near their 25, but Webster's kick went wide. The second quarter opened with a strong offensive by the Helensville forwards, but Crawford stopped them. Helensville returned to the attack, but a smart kick by Collins relieved the pressure. Give and take play, in which Campbell was prominent, ended in favour of the local boys, play reaching the opposing 25. A nice kick by Smith brought the ball back to halfway. High School again attacked, but Sandin marked smartly and relieved. Millward shortly afterwards gained a long stretch by a well-judged kick, and Cushman was instrumental in getting the ball to near the High School line. Cooper made a dash for the line between the posts, but was overwhelmed before he could ground the ball. Crawford relieved and Brainsby, following up smartly, smothered the return. Sandin, kicking hard and following up, put High School again on the defensive. From a lineout Helensville worked the ball over the line, but failed to ground it. High School were penalised near their 25, and Strange made a fine attempt, the ball just falling short, (rive and take play in which Crawford and Collins (High) and Williams (Helensville) were prominent, ended the first half.

After the kick-off, Helensville attacked with much determination. Smith ran strongly to near the opposing 2H, but Collins and Campbell cleared. Helensville continued to be aggressive and Strange put in a strong run, but spoiled it with a forward pass. Helensville carried play to the opposing line, when from a scramble McGarvey scored. Strange made no mistake with the kick. —Helensville 5. High School 3.

Helensville continued to attack, and Webster, Mullins and Wilson relieved in succession. Smith ran strongly to near the corner, but was thrown out

in touch-in-goal,

The last quarter found the visitors the better-conditioned team. High School attacked spasmodically, but the visitors' defence was sound, while their attack was well sustained. Halfway through the quarter Cushman marked in a good position and placed a nice goal.—Helensville 8, High School o

Helensville continued to attack until Hughes commenced a counter-at-tack, which resulted in High School working to the opposing line, but the ball found touch-in-goal. Shortly afterwards and thanks mainly to the mulling of the local backs, Strange smartly obtained possession and scored a really brilliant try. Taking tlie kick himself, Strange missed an easy goal.— Helensville 11, High School ?>.

High School made a last effort, but found the defence too good.

1 Generally considered, the ■display was disappointing, particularly that of the local boys, whose defence was very weak. The Helensville boys defended well, but their backs were weak in attack. Their passing and taking Tvere right, and had they run straighter they might easily have doubled the score. Sandin ("half), Smith (wing) and Sellars (five-eighths) were the pick of the visitors' backs, while among their forwards McGarvev and ; Strange were fnost conspicuous, though, j the visiting forwards all played hard. ' For High School Crawford was nut- : standing among the backs. E. Brains- j ■

by and Thompson wore very weak in defence. Of the forw.-irds Wilson and Mullins were easily the best. The boys appeared to thoroughly enjoy their game and their conduct left nothing to be desired. Mr H. Smith had control of the game.