FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16617, 23 August 1918, Page 2

FOOTBALL

HIGH SCHOOL BENEFIT. The programmo arranged by the Rugby Union in aid of the High School team's touring fund proved decidedly popular, and the largest attendance of the season crowded the lines at tht Athletic Grounds yesterday. After expenses and amusement tax have been paid, it is estimated that !>etween £2o and £3O will bo handed over to the School. The ground was in good order, and the weather lino, except for n strong westerly wind which interfered considerably with the play, particularly in the last qiunter of the senior match and the first half of the primary schools game. DRILL DISPLAY. Tho programme was commenced punctually with the maze march by the boys of the Hi#h School, to tho accompaniment of tho School Hand. This was followed by a short exhibition of Swedish exercises, and both performances wero greatly appreciated. It was rather a pity that it was not possible to arrange the exhibition for a later hour, as many of the spectators arrived too late to witness it. STAR V. HIGH SCHOOL.

j The senior match commenced soon after the appointed time. Star won the toss, and decided to take last assistance from the wind, which proved a wise decision. With the wind be- [ hind them School made most of the | play in the first quarter, and half way through the spell a pretty passing rusfi by Buxton. Earl, Mee. Fahey and Morrison ended in a dashing try near tho corner. An attempt to repeat the performance later on just failed. With the wind Star had much the bettct of the early part of the second spell, though School made two or three good looso rushes. Star indulged in one or Wo good bouts of passing, but theii only score came from a mark by Cooke, ,who judged tho wind nicely and steered the ball between tho posts from near tho half-way mark. Tho third term produced some fas.t play. A Star forward crossed tho line, but lost the ball, and Sdhool back went to tlio other end. From tho Star 23 Coppiu made a fiuo solo dash, but Boys stopped it and sent play back again. Star put in some lively back work, and School replied with good loose rushes, and at three-quarter timo the score was still 3—3. In the final quarter, a freshening wind and the superior weight of the Star pack told their- tale, and tho premiers attacked for most of tho spell. After Cooke had failed at goal from a penalty a Star passing rush went to tho corner, and just after Sqyb was nearly across. From a forward rush Percy was awarded a try in a.scramble, and Gunn converted, leaving Star victors by Sto 5. Mr H. Fraser was referee.

MAIN V. MAKIST. There was a hum of anticipation when Main and Marist took the field just before 4 o'clock, to endeavour to reach a decision after three drawn games, and the excitement grew as the game nrogressed. Main showed much more attractive football than had been displayed in any.of tlio previous contests, but in spite of this had to submit to a defeat by two points. AVith the wind in their favour Main dominated the play in the first quarter, and were within an apq- of scoring: two or three times. One' of thenforwards crossed the line, but lost the ball a few inches from the ground, and soon after from a penalty against the Greens for nutting in the scrum unfairly Boys made a fine shot at goal, the ball swerving in the wind nndrroing over the outside post. ''Mars'st made a better stand in the second quarter, but Main were still sliowiusuperiority. Just hefore half, time a Bed forward crossed the lino, but the ball was held vp, and at the interval no. score had been recorded. The third spell Main made good use of the wind and kept the Greens hard av work. After a good rush the ba:' t Immediately aftorwadrs Dodd dashed near the posts, but the kick failed Immed'atoly afterwards Dodd dashed over again, but ; had picked the hall out of the sorum. On changing ovar for the last time the Reds again attacked, and with' seven or eighth minutes to go appeared to have Tin. game well iu hand. Then a kaleidoscopic change took place. A Main passing bout broke down, and following a kick through Reilly fielded outside his 25 and /streaked for tlio line, scoring in a good position. Dickio added the extra point:-,, placing Murist two points in front." This" success bad a galvanising effect on the Greens, who gave Main no chance of regaining their ascendency. Reilly almost scored again after another slashing run, and play was in neutral territory when tune was called, with the score Marist 5, Main 3.

Iheir win gives Marist the right to play the winners of tho country section for the South Canterbury .school? premiership. Tho game brought to - close an unexampled series of contests, only two points separating the teams in tho aggregate scores of tho four matches, ■ and it was literally only a question of inches—the difference ' between a. goal and n -"poster"—bv which fortune, favoured the winners yestcrdav.