The annual Winter Sports Exchange between Timaru Boys’ and Waitaki Boys’ took place in Oamaru, a successful outing for Timaru. 

There were good wins across all sports on a day when the weather really turned it on.

Timaru Boys' High School Rugby 1st XV gave their Waitaki counterparts a rugby lesson with a record breaking 85-12 victory in Oamaru. TBHS ran rampant, scoring in fourteen tries to two, having led 40-7 at the break, to retain the Sel O'Neill Shield. Waitaki did score the first try of each half but were largely starved of the ball by the TBHS dominant pack. Prop Thomas Edwards earned TBHS's first try, waltzing in after a quick tap. TBHS then started to spin the ball wide with lock Hamish Robertson appearing out wide to score, followed by wing Tevita Eukaliti and fullback Hayden McNulty. Tevita Eukaliti then made a great run down right wing before left wing Hamish Smack finished off in opposite corner. 

The Waitaki Exchange, in its 134th year, is the longest uninterrupted inter-school rugby duel in New Zealand. Despite TBHS's comprehensive win, Waitaki still hold the overall advantage with 68 wins to TBHS's 56, alongside 10 draws.

Cam Anderson now has the Timaru Boys’ goal scoring record for 1st XI Football, sitting in front with 39 goals after bagging two in their 4-0 win over Waitaki in Oamaru. Anderson was tied on 37 with former TBHS star Tom Deeley, who is currently playing football at Lees-McRae College in the United States, and needed just one more against Waitaki to move to the top of the goal scoring charts. Cam passed the record in style as Taylor Donaldson, himself and Mitchell Skudder-Dey all combined beautifully to help him break the record as he guided one past Waitaki Boys' keeper Joel Brosnan in the second half. Harry Pierce and Henry Baxter were also goal scorers on the day.

The Timaru Boys' HS Senior Basketball side had an impressive win in this traditional, hard- fought encounter. The team managed to reverse last year's big loss at home, winning 72 -64. The win is a good lead up for the team as they will compete in the South Island Premiership Tournament in Dunedin this week. The win was accomplished with a solid team effort, led by rapidly improving play from centre, James Watt. He anchored the defence with his rebounding and shot blocking. Timaru Boys' full court pressure defence worked well and scoring opportunities opened up. Oli Browning connected on three long range three point shots during the second quarter, giving our side an eight point lead which they then maintained throughout. Todd Phillips and Ben Aicken also made key baskets and James Watt added to the highlights with four impressive dunks.

The Junior Basketball had a hard loss against the impressive Waitaki team which will be one of the favourites in next week's South Island Junior Premierships in Ashburton. The Timaru side struggled against their larger, well drilled opposition and eventually lost 107 to 44.

The Timaru Boys’ 2nd XI Hockey came up against the Waitaki 1st XI. Timaru went out to a 3-0 lead at half time but could not extend it in the second half as Waitaki came back with a second half goal. Reuben Dockrill, Hayden Kennedy and McGregor Isbister stood out for Timaru in a good hit out before tournament.

The Junior Football had a convincing 7-1 win over their southern counterparts. Bailey Chambers was lively up front with Flynn Linton controlling the game in midfield, while Peter Rawlins was impressive every time he touched the ball

Archery was a new comer to the exchange and Timaru were particularly convincing in winning 224 to 170. The targets were set up outside which is unusual for inter school archery. Competitors shot from a distance of 10 metres with the sun in their eyes and a slight cross breeze. As the bows had open sights it took the competitors a few shoots to ‘get their eye in’ and adjust their aim to be on target. Two rounds were shot, consisting of three arrows each. After this, each competitor had one final shot in order to elevate their team’s scores. The top score of the day went to Jack McLennan.

Debating also resulted in an impressive win to Timaru. The moot was that the current bill on Euthanasia in New Zealand should be passed. Timaru took the negative response. The winning margin was 327 to 301. David Ellis was confirmed best speaker.

Stephen Garner cemented himself as the best Squash player in the school, whilst being the youngest player in the team. He won well against the WBHS #1 by playing to a predetermined game plan and sticking to it. He showed discipline, maturity and skill in doing so. And led the team to a 2-1 win.

The 2nd XV Rugby had an easy win by 65-7 to cap off a great season for the team. Jack Millar and Jaydon Phillips looked particularly impressive with the ball in hand.

The 16s Rugby had an equally comprehensive win over the Waitaki counterparts by 63-0. George Guerin showed good pace in a great team effort.

Hugh Cameron, Jed Syme, Jack Pudney, George Mulder were the standouts for the Colts who were inconsistent in their 41-38 loss. The team will need to work on a better all-round effort with tournament coming up.

The 14s were outclassed by Waitaki losing 62-12. The team struggled with injuries throughout the game.

Chess won by 9 and a half to 6 and a half. Badminton lost 6 0.