And each time by hook or crook, by a short, weak punt or a clever, dashing run around end, did Hillton win back a portion of her lost territory, only to lose it again at the second or third attempt to advance the ball.
The halves were twenty-five minutes long, and in that first twenty-five minutes St.Eustace scored but once, though near it thrice that many times.

Allen, St.Eustace's right half-back, had plunged over the line for a touch-down at the end of fifteen minutes of play and Terrill had missed an easy goal.

Then the grand stand was silent save for one small patch, whereon blue flags went crazy and swirled and leaped and danced up and down as though possessed of life.

And over the field sped, sharp and triumphant, the St.Eustace cheer.

And the score stood: St.Eustace 5, Hillton O.
The first half ended with the leather but ten yards from the north goal, and a great murmuring sigh of relief went up from the seats and from along the side-lines when the whistle sounded.