PRIMARY SCHOOL INTERPROVIN CIAL MATCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2529, 3 September 1902, Page 52

PRIMARY SCHOOL INTERPROVIN CIAL MATCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

INYERCARGILL, August 27

With a view to further popularise Rugby football in the primary tcliools the Otago Union has this year made a notable departure in promoting an intcrpro\im lal match between primary fchool representatives of Otago and Southland. Tho expeiiment has proved an unqualified succest. The Otago boys, under the control of Mr^isrs Da via (interprovincial representative, of the High Street School), and M'Donald (Ravensbourne School), came down by yesterday's express and found admirable arrangements made for their accommodation. A sysieni of billeting had been arranged, and representatives of the Southland Union aud the boys' hosts wore present on arrival of the Dunedin express, and the Otago representatives were at once conducted to their quarter*. Tiu« morning they were shown over the town aid taken up to the ■water tower, vhere they groatly enjoyed the splendid outlook to be obtained from this point of vantage. The weather was mo«t favourable for the match, and the ground in splendid order.

The Otagana, in dark blue jerseys and white knickers, and the Southland, in maroon and white, were franctically cheered by the schoolboys, who not only were present in largo numbers within the giound, but, where unable to produce the indispensable sixpence, occupied the neighbouring fence* and housetops. Play etaited punctually at 3 o'clock, when Williamson kicked off for Southland. The ball was returned up to Southland's twenty-five, and a passing rush resulted iv Southland forcing down. During the first quarter of an hour the play was pretty oven, and then Pound (Christian Brothers) passed to Collin=, of tho same school, who got over, but the tiy was not converted. Otago 3 points. Southland nil. Following up their success, the Otago forwards redoubled their efforts, but they could not break through the Southland backs, and the nr=t spell closed without further score. From half-time to nearly the end the game wa» anyone's, Southland making determined onslaughts, but during- the last quarter Otago scored two tries, one of which Pound converted, and Otago remained the victor with 11 points to nil. The Southland backs played weH, Galbraith (scrum half) and the centre three-quarter being specially prominent. Otago's three-quarters "were a fine lot, and it is a pity that Nicholson, who ifi very fast, wae not made more use of. The forwards, also, were remarkably good, and it is safe to predict semcr representative honours for Talboys at no distant date. The cithers who stood out prominently were Abbott, Lynch, and Low.

The teams were well matched, except that Otago had a alight advantage in weight. The game was played in a most friendly fpirit, and the behaviour of the Otago boys has everywhere been exemplary. They were enteitained at Ralside's this evening by the Southland Union, and several of our best \ocal performers helj>ed to make a most enjoyable eveuiafi.