FOOTBALL, 13 FOOTBALL, Scion v. OxFoRD AND CamBRInGE OLD EDWARDIANS. This match was played at Bristol Road on Thursday, December 15th. Fortunately the rain held off, but the ground was in a very wet condition. For the Old Boys H. G. Bache and J. D. Crichton were unable to turn out, while the School were again without Totkien and Sands. Cottrell won the toss and the Old Boys started against the wind. After some scrambling play Alabaster fonnd touch far up. Almost immediately afterwards the same player took a good pass from Higgins, and scored wide out. Cottrell failed with the kick (3-0). The School continued to press, and shortly afterwards, Greaves, taking a high kick on the run, ran on to the line where he was stopped by Muncaster. He passed, however, to Cottrell who ran on and scored between the posts, and also placed the goal (8.0). The Old Boys did not gain much ground, and though they often secured the ball in the scrums, they failed to make much use of it. At last Hemming got away and passed to Ball, who rushed over near the flag. The kick failed (11-0). Shortly after this Higgins appeared to dribble over and score; unfortunately, however, he crossed the dead bail line before touching down. Afier a free kick the Old Boys’ “threes” got away, but Greaves brought down Harrower. Wiseman then dribbled right up the field but was stopped on the line. From the scrum the ball came out quickly, and Alabaster got over. The kick was unsuccessful (14.0). Shortly afterwards Cottrell again scored, and converted (19-0), Half-time was called leaving the scores unaltered. In the second half the School did not show up to such advantage, the forwards especially not appearing to play with so much dash. Sanger, however, was prominent for vigorous though unscientific tackling, and Cottrell and Wiseman’ were good in the rushes. The Old Boys were also more frequently pressing the School than previously. A free kick was given them in front’ of goal, but they failed to take any advantage of it; almost immediately, though, T. Trought nearly scored. Serums were frequent in the School 25, and the Old Boys several times looked dangerous. Hili, however, dribbled right up the field and scored, and Cottrell had hard lines with a fine kick from the touch Tine (22-0). The Old Boys again took the ball into the Schoot's territory, till from a five yards serum, Curle got away on the blind sidé, and eluding Muncaster, scored a brilliant tr after having ran the whole length of the field (25-0). Time was then called leaving the score at 2 goals and 5 tries to nil in favour of the School.14 FOOTBALL. The School did not show as good form in this mateh as the score would suggest. No doubt the state of the ground was in Sere Way Fesponsible for this but the forwards packed badly and did not beel and break up with sufficient speed, Consequently the backs did not get as many opportunities as usuald Tho threequarters were generally good; Higgins always drew Ie man, and passed at the right moment, while Alabaster took his passes with bis customary certainty. "Teams -— School: A. L. Crouch; E, L. Hill, H. L. Higgins, E. B, Alabaster, H. Greaves ; F. J. Hemming, G. Curie; GF, Cotircll EOP A Ball CL. Wiseman, E. “A. Fiddian, W. | Sanger, S. F. Dixon, F. T. Faulconbridge, E. L. Hopki Qrford and Cambridge O, I's: E, Muncaster ; 0. P. Revely, A. FH Saunders T. Trought, C. "J. S. Pritchett; W. 2 Kings, ©: Coley ; R. M. Gibson, J. B. Teather, E. D. ‘Tyndall, >: B Harrower, D. L, Finnemoré, H.S. Astbury, 1. F. Gibson, L. P. W. Renouf. After the game F. T. Faulconbridge received 2nd XV Colours. SCHOOL v. BinMINGHAM University Isv xv. This match was played on Saturday, February 4th, on the Phiversity Ground, and resulted in a victory for our opponente, fhe School were unfortunate in having to find substitutes for Fiddian in the pack and for Hill in the three-quarter line. Pattman kicked off for the ‘Varsity from the lower end, but the whistle was at once blown for a scrum back, and play settled flown in mid-field for a time, “Though at first the Sehool got the ball iu the scrum the “Varsity pressed hard and, in spite ofa wood five by Higgins and some capital tackling by Crouch at back, tle School were forced to carry over, Patterson got the ball from the scrum which followed, and the University scored thete first try. Pattman failed to convert (0-3).FOOTBALL. 15 eC The ‘Varsity recovered ground immediately after the kick out and renewed the attack in spite of the determined opposition of the School backs. They were, however, unable to score, but Were gradually forced back to the half-way line, where’ play continued for some time. At last the School got the ball from the scrum and a fine run by the three-quarters resulted, but no material advantage was obtained, for the ‘Varsity, who were Passing excellently, soon resumed the attack. They obtained a mark in front of the goal but failed to score. E. L. Gray obtained the ball from the serum and scored after a tricky ran. ‘The try was converted (0-8), After the half-way kick the School again pressed and carried the game down into the enemy's twenty-five, Where they might have scored—when the whistle blew for half-time. Score at half-time Birmingham University— points. K.E.S.—Nil. Cottrell kicked off for the School, who began to press hard but they were slowly forced buck in spite of a good ‘run by the three-quarters. The ‘Varsity then made a fine combined rush and scored in the corner. The kick failed (0-11). After the kick the University again pressed hard: Patterson got over the line but was held up. A free-kick to the School, followed by a long punt by Ball, put the School on the offensive, when they forced the enemy to touch down, In spite of another free-kick the ‘Varsity had a good run and nearly scored. They kept up the pressure though Tolkien broke away once with the ball at his feet and gained a good deal of ground. Directly after this Patterson obtained the ball from the scrum and scored. The kick failed, and when the whistle sounded for ‘ No-side’ the score was : Birmingaam University —1 goal, 3 tries —L+ points. K.E,S.—Nil, Scnoor v. BIRKENHEAD ScHoOL. This match was played at Birkenhead on Tuesday, February 44th, The School were without Fiddian and Higgins, Faulcou- bridge and Nicholls taking their places, The ground was in «16 FOOTBALL. ee very wet condition, and rain fell most of the time. Cottrell won the toss, and Birkenhead kicked off against the wind. The School forwards at once began to make ground both in the loose and in the tight; Ball being conspicuous for clever dribbling, Good kicking, however, by the Birkenhead backs, took the bail back into our territory, and after some loose play Chester rushed over and touched down, although Greaves appeared to have kicked dead just previously. A'try, however, was awarded, which was converted (0-5). After the re-start, several serums Were formed in the Birkenhead ‘twenty-five,’ and Curle got the ball away well from the scrum, but the wet ball, andthe clove tackling of the Birkenhead backs, made combined movements almost impossible. At last Cottrell picked up and got over, but failed with the kick (3-5). The Schoot continued to press, and Ball scored aft tricking the Birkenhead defence (6-5). Cottrell I. The School backs were showing good t’ but at last the Birkenhead three-quarters got away, and Pemberton raced over. The kick was successful, and almost immediately afterwards half-time was called (6-10). Play in the second half was chiefly confined to the forwards ; the School had the advantage in the scrum, but the Birkenhead forwards tackled and saved well. The School backs had little to do in the way of attack, and got cold and numb with standi still in the rain. Alabaster, however, did a lot of good tackiings and Crouch was always safe. Afier'a scrum in our half of the field the ball came out to the Birkenhead three-quarters, and Pemberton dropped a good goal (6-14). This was the last score of the match, although we were often close to the Birkenhead line, and the forwards made desperate efforis to get over. ‘No-side’ was called leaving Birkenhead the winners by 3 goals (1 dropped) to 2 tries (14-6), The score indicates pretty well the run of the game. The wet ground doubtless handicapped the School, and the absence of Higgins was felt in the three-quarter line. The forwards played a good game on the whole. The School team was +A. L. Crouch (back); E. L. Hill, E. B. Alabaster, H. Greaves, T. L. Nicholls (three-quarters); F. J. Hemming, G. Curle (halves); G. F. Cottrell, J. F. A. Ball, C. JR. R. Tolkien, H. A. Dixon, L.'K. Sands, W. Ti. Payton, F. I. Fauleonbridge (forwards). Annual Subscription, 2/- post-free 2/6 BIRMINGHAM CORNISH BROS aa a PRINTED BY LAWRENCE AND CO. 47, NEWTON SrRERT, ULesINGHAR