INTER-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: CHRISTCHURCH . TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, 3 October 1918, Page 37

INTER-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: CHRISTCHURCH . TIMARU.

Last Friday week the Christchurch Marist School boys arrived in 1 imam to play the return annual Rugby football match, and were met at the i ail way station by the local boys, who were billeting them. In the evening a welcome social was tendered them in the Sacred Heart School, where a most enjoyable programme was presented ; and, thanks to the. kind and generous forethought of the ladies a first-class supper was provided. Dean Tubman, S.M., presided, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the work done in our Catholic schools. He also extended a heai ty welcome to the Christchurch representatives. Next day (Saturday) the return match between the Marist pupils of Christchurch and Timaru took place in the presence of a record gathering. On taking their places it "was too evident that the visitors had the advantage of weight, although complimentary comments on the physique of the home team, too, were heard. The appearance of both teams certainly afforded evidence of the fine physical training received in the Brothers schools. The match from start to finish was full of interest. For a start Christchurch gave a sample of the dashing play that gained for them the grand aggregation of 224 points to nil in the Cathedral City competitions. This had the effect of putting the southern players on their mettle, both teams being thus brought into their stride, much to the satisfaction of the enthusiastic onlookers, who were from this on given a treat of scientific Rugby. After 1 ‘orange spell” play became faster, and from the loose McKay (Christchurch) kicked through, beating the full-back and touching down behind the posts, but near the dead-ball line. At the change, for the final 15 minutes, with Christchurch 11, 1 imam 3, it might have been expected that the hefty northerners would have brought their lighter opponents to a standstill, but it was not so. The Timai uvians came with their characteristic dash, practically taking possession of this spell ; when a short throw in was penalised and the dash for the line stopped by the keenly watchful referee. With Christchurch defending. Redly, with a fine dash added credit to his side by the unique performance of crossing the Christchurch line the first time this season. Then play became fast and furious, the stamina of neither side yielding. Timaru pressed, but Christchurch line was impregnable, so that the final whistle found Christchurch leading by 11 to 8, and in possession for another year of the much-coveted inter-school challenge banner.