AMONGST THE JUNIORS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9763, 26 June 1897, Page 2

AMONGST THE JUNIORS.

£Bt Trtjh BLu-t.J

A. Dobbs, who for the past two seasons has been playing for; the Linwood Junior/ Flas team, leaves for the West Coast this week. He will be greatly missed in the forward ranks of the Green and Black.

The Flag match, Linwood v. Merivale, which excited considerable interest, was played on the North Park in the presence of a good concourse of spectators. The game was of a very, fast and exciting nature from start to finish. Both teams were evenly matched, and a draw was a fitting termination to an even game.

E. O'Brien's display as full-back for Linwood left little to be desired, though lie might with advantage kiok into touch more, instead of kicking up the ground. MeLennan, centre three-quarter, was in fair form. His tackling was a little weak, though, at times. G. Glennie, on the wing, played a splendid game. This player (who is a brother of Glennie, the $ew Zealand "rep.") should have a future before him on the football field. He has plenty of Sash, ia fast, and takes the ball well, ancf thoroughly deserved his promotion from the President's A team. Ormandy also showed up well, his play being characterised by great dash. Bultivant, Phillips, and MoNamara were all in good form, and worked together in fine style. Tho forwards, though a light lot compared to their opponents, played most determinedly, their taokling beinir firstclass. Oliver, J. Pearce, Pegg, Dennis, Dobbs, and McNamara were "the moat prominent, the two former especially. Simpson, the Merivale full-back, was in good form. He is, however, inclined at times to rim too much. Sykes and Low were the wing three-quarters, theformer being much the best. He is possessed of a fair amount of speed, and is hard to stop when once going. Or-Bird and MoCree were the eentro three-quarters, Bird's play being much the better of the two,, In the first spell his tine dodgy runs and well judged play were a source of .trouble to the Greens. He was too well watched in the second spell to do muoh.L. Forbes,, the Blue five-eighths, showed improved form. V. Fraser behtnd the scrum was, without doubt, the best back in the Merivale team. I am inclined to think, though, that he carries his screw kicks into touch a little too often, to theduiadvantageofhißcomrades. Farquhar and Lester, on the wing of the scrum, were very smart in getting on to their opponents, but ■ both are inclined to play offside rather much and were penalised repeatedly. The forwards in the pack are a grand lot, their combination being of a

high order. Their line out play wa3 particularly good. It is hard to pick out any one as being better than any of the others ; but Lewis and M'Farlane seemed about the best. "■' ..•'.'

JR. MoFarlarie had a chance of winning

the match for Merivale, as he had a kick fi om a penalty close to the goal, but he did not manage to put the ball over the bar.

E. O'Brien seems a "mascottc" for the Linwood team. _ Ort Saturday he made the (gcore3 even by kicking a penalty goal. The spectators encroached a good deal on the field of play in the Merivale-Linwood match, and the game had to be stopped continually in consequence. This is a drawback of the North Park.

In the match Christ's College v. Linwood A., the College boys beat the Greens easily. Williams, the College full-back, had not a groat deal to do, but what little he had he did well. Overton was the best of the threequarters, scoring several tries. Louisson, at centre three-quarter, was in fine form. He was a great factor in enabling his wing men to score, his passing being w«dl judged. Weston, at five-eighths, and little Pascoe, at half, played splendidly together ; as, indeed, did the whole of the College backs. Pascoe was very smart in getting the ball out to the man behind him. The forwards all played well, and it is unfair to individualise any in particular.

Henderson, at full-back for Linwood, played another good game. He keeps up, his reputation for consistency. The team would fare very badly indeed without him. The three-quarters seemed out of place entirely. Jlale, behind the scrum, played well, being farticularly good in stopping rushes. W? earce took a turn at five-eighths, but was not a great success, and he seems a better forward than a back. Amongst the forwards Pearce, Rutledge and Bush were about the best, the combination of this department being very poor. Merivale B defeated Christchurch A in the Cup contest by 6 points to nil. For Merivale Bilcliff was the best of the backs, and Mason and Burrcll were most prominent of the others. Forward Marriner, Rodgers, Cornish and Carter were conspicuous for good play. For Christchurch Garsia and Harper were the best of the backs. Seymour, Jewiss, and Prendergast were about the pick of theforward department. The Cup match Sydenham Third v. Linwood B, played at Sydenham Park, efeded in a draw, neither iiide scoring. The Sydenham forwards were better than Linwood, but the backs of both teams fumbled, and should look to their passing. Taylor, Pearson, Rowe and Muir, among the backs, and Green, Jacobson, Allen and Brown, in the forwards, played well for Sydenham. Of the Linwood backs, Pentecost, Lawrence, Wilson and Graham were best. The forwards lacked dash, and were slow in packing.