ITEMS OF SPORT

New Zealand Tablet, 13 November 1913, Page 31

ITEMS OF SPORT

MARIST BROTHERS' SCHOOL, INVERCARGILL. V' There was a large gathering of pupils and wellwishers of the Marist Brothers' School at a banquet tendered on Thursday evening to school senior and junior football teams. In the competitions under the auspices of the Southland Rugby Football Union this season, as in seasons past, the teams from the Marist Brothers' School have played a prominent part. As far back as 1900 the school senior fifteen first annexed the banner presented for competition among the public schools, and since that date have had their names inscribed on it on no fewer than seven occasions, a record which no other school has yet accomplished. This occasion the senior team scored a total of 179 to 3 points. They never had their line crossed in the whole of seven matches, a goal from a mark alone being recorded against them. The team has not lost a match during the past two seasons. The pennant which the Marist team won again this year has been competed for 17 times. The present holders secured it in 1900, 1901, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1912, and 1913. South School hold second place on the banner with five wins. J. Coakley, Marist captain, and Southland school representative for the past three seasons, has scored a total of 111 points in pennant matches, having scored in every match in which he has played during the past two seasons. The junior fifteen were runners up in the second grade competition among the public school boys. Their record reads:—Nine pennant matches played, won 6, drew 1, lost 2; points for 65, against 24. The record for the senior team is as follows: matches played 7, won 7; point for 179, against 3 (a goal from a mark). Rev. Brother Anselm presided at the banquet and at a suitable interval presented a framed photograph of the senior team to Mr. P. Scully, who had acted as coach to the boys throughout the season. The first toast of the evening was that of the ' Pope and King,' ably proposed by the Rev. Father Foley. Several other toasts were also duly honored. That of the school captains was proposed by Mr. W. Cook, and replied to by the respective captains, Masters J. Coakley (seniors) and J. Wells (juniors). The senior captain proposed 'Our Coach,' and Mr. P. Scully replied. Gold medals were presented to the best back (J. Coakley) by Mr. R. J. Timpany, and to the best forward (M. Sheehan) by Mr. G. W. Woods. Mr. G. W. Woods presented a gold medal to the best all-round choir boy, and the announcement that Master James Fogarty, by his splendid attendances at Mass and practice, and whole-souled earnestness in all that pertained to the choir, had earned this much-coveted medal, was received with enthusiasm by his schoolmates. The recipients suitably acknowledged the gifts. Mr. G. W. Woods made it known amidst applause that next year he would award two more gold medals for like purposes. A special word of thanks is due to the ladies who, by their excellent arrangements, made the banquet the great success it was. Among those who gave their valued services were : Mrs. Jas. Collins, Mrs. Dr. Collins, Miss Eileen' Collins, Mrs. and Miss Woods, Miss K. Kane, Mrs. . and Miss Mahoney, Mrs. Matheson, Miss Burgoyne, and Miss Maggie Barry. The room was most tastefully decorated by Mr J. D'Arcy and Miss M. Parker. The following contributed recitations— J. Coakley, W. Wills, T. Prendergast, W. Cook, and M. Sheehan, and the school choir rendered two choruses.

Several choice selections were given by a gramophone kindly lent for the occasion by Rev. Father Woods.