The Dunedin Schools' Football Championship

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 36, 3 September 1903, Page 19

The Dunedin Schools' Football Championship

This year ten teams played in the schools' competition. The airangement was that a complete round should be played by the ten teams. The four highest were then to play off for the senior grade banner, and the next four in order were to play 'for the junior banner. At the end ot the first round the Christian Brothers', Dunedin, and the Otago Boys High School were equal for first place, they having played a drawn game and won all their other matches Both defeated the other two teams in the senior grade, and on Friday last they me* on the Asylum Ground, each with an unbeaten record, to fight it out for the banner. Bryant kicked ofT for the Christian Biothers', and Strang, the High School wing threequarter, sent the ball into touch in the Gieens' twentyfive At once the High School set up a vigorous attack, and for ten minutes the Greens' had a lively time deiending their line But, thanks to their front rankers— liiggins and Loue,hlan— the Greens' generally got the ball out of the scium, and the backs by judicious line kicking succeeded in removing the scene ot hostilities into the High School territory. The Greens' now began to turn the tables on their sturdy opponents. Three determined attack on the High School line ended in the School forcing down The fourth attempt was successful, Bryant, at the head of the Green forwards, dribbled the ball over the line and scored a try . Christian Brothers', 3 points , High School, ml. No further score was registered in the first spell. In the second half the Gieens' did most of the attacking, James Collins, fiveeights, being very prominent. Towards the end of the a,.une the ball was thrown in from the touch-line, and Lynch getting posssession passed it on to Casey, who sent it to James Collins, who, running into his man, passed to Rossbotham. The latter perceiving himself within easy kicking distance of the goal, coolly took a shot, and landed the ball well over the crossbar (4 points*). The Cluistian Brothers were now seven points and the High School nil The game ended shortly afterwards without fin t her score, thus icturning the Christian Brothers' winners of a splendidly-contested game. Mr E Davis made an impartial referee A few words on the players may be of interest. Tarleton, the Christian Brothers' fullback, v\as always reliable. The wing three-quarters, Kmd and John Collins, had little to do, but they generally found the line when the ball came their way. Rossbotham (centre three-quarter), James Collins (five rights), and Smith (half-back) were the pick of the hacks Collins especially was a thorn in the sides of his opponents Casey " (five-eights), although a little slow, was very sine Amongst trie forwards the shininn light was Uivant He is a player of the bold, aggressive type, and is always where the other side does not want him Lynch, Dan Collins, and Sullivan were worthy mates for Bryant. Dick Thomas and Wilson did a man's work each. The High School backs who gave a Hood account of themselves were Strang (three-quarters), the fastest boy playing in the schools this year. Unfortunately for his side he got no chances ; Duthie, at

centre, was hard to pass ; Sim, half-back, was worth watching. The best forwards were : Blakey, Drummond, and Smith. In winning the banner the Christian Brothers' School played 12 matches, won 11, drew 1. They scored 223 points, and not a single point was scored against them. In 1900 the Christian Brothers' won the banner, having played 12 matches, won 11, drawn 1, scored 370 points, and had 11 points against them. The banner was withdrawn from competition in 1901 and 1902. This year the competition was resumed, two banners being offered The Normal School wins the junior banner.