The Armidale School won the trophies but the spoils were shared across the fixtures when Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School hosted the tablelands visitors for competition in seven sports for the Dick Hodgson Shield yesterday (Friday 12 May).
With the absence of several players on rep rugby league duties, a depleted Farrer First XV went down to TAS 64-0, the visitors retaining the First XV Challenge Shield. TAS also won the 2nd XV 21-10 and the 15As, 14As and 13s, with Farrer getting up in the 16As, 16Bs and 15Bs.
In the football, the TAS First XI scored four goals to two; the 16s won 3-0 while Farrer was victorious in the 13s.
Farrer dominated the tennis winning eight matches to two; took out the clay target shooting at Loomberah Clay Target range (573-530) and got up in the Firsts basketball 68–53.
In other tournaments, the hosts won the chess two boards to one, with a draw on the fourth, while debating was added to the competition for the first time in many years, TAS securing narrow wins in both Year 7 and Opens debates.
Ultimately TAS reclaimed the Dick Hodgson Shield (named after a former TAS sportsmaster), won by Farrer last year.
“The Shield has been contested since 2011 and it continues to be a highlight on the sporting calendar of both schools who value the opportunity to give opportunities to students in a breadth of opportunities,” TAS Director of Co-Curricular Will Caldwell said.
