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ling and an overdose of blind-side attacks spoilt many chances. One good three-quarter movement on the open side ended in a try by Pearman near the corner flag. Further tries were added by O'Leary, Grealy and Collins.
Final score : Cotton 43 points (2 goals, 10 tries, 1 penalty goal) ; Newcastle H.S. nil.
SCHOOL v. OSCOTT COLLEGE. Played at Cotton, October 22nd.
Lost 9-17.
The School attacked strongly at the start against a fast Oscott XV and Bolton went over in the first few minutes for a good try. The kick failed. Play was confined to mid-field exchanges for some time, both sides defending well. However, several bad lapses in the School defence resulted in three runaway tries by Bouchier (2) and Gavin from movements in mid-field. Before the interval, Bolton cross-kicked to McLoughlin who picked up smartly and ran with determination to score a good try for the School. The kick again failed. Half time score : Cotton 6 points ; Oscott it points. Shortly after the interval Oscott scored two tries through Thornton and Bouchier. Cotton retaliated but failed to penetrate a sound defence. The School forwards more than held their own against the heavier Oscott pack and the School hacks were given a fair share of the ball. A welljudged cross-kick by Bolton might have given McLoughlin a good chance to use his speed, but lie failed to reach the ball. Ultimately bad handling on the part of the Oscott backs enabled McLoughlin to get possession of the ball and he scored under the posts. The kick however went astray. For the rest of the game play was mostly confined to mid-field, both Gavin and Bolton taking good advantage of the cross wind to get in some long defensive kicks to touch.
Final score : Oscott 17 points (1 goal, 4 tries) ; Cotton 9 points (3 tries).
SCHOOL v. FLEET AIR ARM CADETS' XV.
Played Away, October 25th.
Won11-6.
The early stages of the game saw the School pressing hard against a solid defence. The Cadets soon retaliated and maintained a strong attack on the School line for a considerable time. The pressure was relieved by a determined rush by the School pack. Then the forwards obtained possession from a scrum, and a good movement among the School three-quarters resulted in a tryfrom Bolton. Later the forwards again took the ball up the field and Grealy scored. Both tries were unconverted. Half-time score : Cotton 6 points ; Cadets nil. Favoured by a considerable slope, the Cadets began the second half with a series of dangerous attacks, and their pack forced the ball over the Cotton line to score a good forward try. Soon the Cadets equalled the Cotton score with a penalty goal. These reverses spurred the School to greater efforts. Bolton took advantage of poor handling among the Cadets' backs, took the ball on with his feet and McLoughlin, following tip, touched down for a try. The kick was successful.
Final score : Cotton ii points (r goal, 2 tries) ; Cadets 6 points (2 tries).
SCHOOL v. AN O.C.T.U. XV.
Played at Cotton,
Lost 5-9.
Conditions were perfect for this interesting game against a fast, heavy O.C.T.U. XV (R.A.). The School was quick off the mark, and after an excellent passing movement among the backs, McLoughlin went over for a try, which was converted. This initial success put the O.C.T.U. on their mettle, and their very agile scrum-half began some very spirited attacks which frequently looked dangerous. The School defence, however, remained sound, except for one lapse of which the visitors were quick to take advantage to score an unconverted try. Half-time score : Cotton 5 points ; O.C.T.U. 3 points. The superior weight and speed of the visitors began to tell in the second