FARRER Memorial Agricultural High School has retained the Dick Hodgson Shield for the second consecutive year against long-time rivals The Armidale School (TAS).
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The two schools went head to head in fierce competition in nine different sports on Thursday with both sides deadlocked on 11 wins apiece.
The draw meant Farrer retained the day's top trophy, but TAS did not walk away empty handed.
After a competitive First XV rugby union clash the visitors went away with the Guy Levy Challenge Shield with a convincing 31- 5 win.
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The match, under lights, was the culmination of an afternoon of competition that also included basketball, chess, debating, football, table tennis, tennis clay target shooting and mountain biking.
The first shots of competition were fired at Loomberah Gun Club, with Farrer taking the clays.
From there, the visitors out-debated their opponents in both junior and senior divisions, won the table tennis, narrowly secured the boards in chess and took out senior and junior mountain biking.
Farrer netted the junior and senior football and basketball with each school wining a division of tennis.
The rugby fixtures were split with Farrer taking out the under-13A, under-14A, under-14B, under-16A, under-16B and Second XV divisions.
Meanwhile, TAS took out the under-13B, thirds and first grades.
In a physical encounter in the ultimate game, TAS' stronger ball handling had enabled a 14-0 lead at the break.
After a penalty early into the second half, TAS amped up its play further to take the win convincingly.
In a reflection of the value both schools placed on the traditional fixture, Farrer vice principal Scott Baker chose to present the Guy Levy Challenge Shield to TAS fullback and former Farrer student Joe Baker (no relation), who made a spectacular dash more than half the length of the field to cross in the corner in what was a highlight of the second half.
"It is terrific that this competition has grown over the years and it is something both schools value and look forward to," Baker said.
TAS director of co-curricular Will Caldwell said one of the unique parts of the competition was the participation of some students in more than one sport.
"We thank Farrer for their hospitality and look forward to hosting them back at TAS next year," he said.
