ALBION v. MERIVALE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8674, 14 July 1906, Page 5

ALBION v. MERIVALE.

Merivalo kicked off and the forwards rushed the ball to the Albion line, H-enry saving \rdiih a lucky flying kick. Reajjjjshad a pot at gc<al, and me ball , going just ' outside tie post Albion j were forced. Getting the better of an ! exchange of kicks Albion carried the ball' paisfc half way. but Ford broke' through and dribbled well down the field. Shanks and W. Menzies led a strong Merivale .rush, but Peairce and | Tyn^ 1 cam© to the rescue and Merivale ! were placed on the defensive. Albion had the better of loose forward play for a eihoTt time, but a free kick improved MerivaJe's position, and the forwards made a fine rush to the Albion lino. Read made another good attempt at goal from tbe field, forcing Albion. Mefrivale returned «to the attack, but lost ground through being penalised, and Tyn© started a passing rush which gave Gray a chance to make, a fine- opening. He passed badly to Meadows, however, anid the Merivale backs got possession of the ball. Play continued fast between the two twenty-fives, Read helping his side by some splendid lin ©-kicking. Near halftime Albion worked their way to the Meorivaile twenty-five, and Stevens had a, -shot at goal .from a free kiok, just failing. The second spell opened well for Albion, but Read' and Piki did sognie good saving work. The ball at last got away from the forwards, and the Albion backs got on a passing rush, | but Meadows- was well tackled, and Rush ted the Merivale forwards to the Albion twenty-five. Line play follow- ; ed until Burns, Butler, Weston and Gray tried' another passing run., (reaching the half-way flag. Albion secured a free kick in a good position, but Weston Bailed in the shot a* goal, and Merivale were forced. Stevens kicked across t&e field, and Weston securing the ball made an opening for Peairce, who was tackled on the line. Albion got the ball from the resulting scrum and Meadows was pujshed into touch-iii-goaJ. Rush, Young and Sharks at-tempt-edl to raise the -siege, but Weston marked cleverly, and Stevens kicked a fine goal-. Albion still had the better of the line play, "Merivalie being apparently afraid "bo make the game open. Short rushes by the forwards and much ineffectual kicking by the baoks oharaoteirised the remainder of the play. Merivale tired towards the findeh, but saved 1 any furthier score, and ttbe game ended 1 in a win for Albion by three points to nil. Mr P.. T. Evaais was referee. CHRISTbHURCH v. SYDENHAM. Sydenham kicked off and a weak return by O'Brien placed Chostchurch on the defensive. Hutcbens attempted a pot at goal, but Fryer saved and a good kick by Jones gained ground for ■ Christchuroh. Even play followed until fryer marked and O'Malley had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Sydemham forwards, with a dribbling rush headed by S. O'Brien and' Alexander, attacked and Christchurch were forced from a free kick. Sydenham again attacked and only good kicking by O'Brien and Jones averted a soore. Fryer cleared by a free kick and line-out play in the centre ensued. A free kick to Christchurch was well followed up by Fryer and play was taken into, Sydenihain territory. The Sydenham forwards returned and H. Love missed a. good opportunity by failing to pass. Christ church gradually worked the ball to half-way, bat, as a result of a mistake by Fitzgerald, Christchuroh w&re • again defending and were compelled to force. An interchange of kicks between the rival backs saw play at half-way, where uninteresting line-out play followed. R. O'Brien broke away and invaded Chrsfechurch quarters, where Thomas had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a mark. Chrstchurch next attacked and Denfoam forced Sydenham by & pot at goal. After the interval Christchurch wer© first to attack, Fryer being prominent, with a good run. Dr-ury and H. Love returned to half-way with a good dribble and from a mark by Doell, Thomas's kick at goal was charged. Walters, aaid Denham headed a Christchnroh forward (rush to Sydsnbam twenty-five, but R. O'Brien breaking away firom ' a line-out (returned play to half-way. Th© Sydemham forwards gained further ground, but a knock-on spoiled a good chance, and Jones cleared the line with a fine line kiok. .Sydenham again- attacked, and Hutchens had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Fryer put in a good run and centred, but Keating missed' a .chance of scoring by over-running the ball. Christchuroh forwards attacked with a good rush, and Bea-ucbsimp^ obtaining j possession finished up a capital run by sooring a try, Which Fryer converted. After the kick-out O'Malley made a dodgy run which placed Sydeaham on the defensive, but O'Brien and Alexander (returned to hajf-way, and Gray and Hutebens headed a rash to Christchurah twenty-five. Time was then called with the score Christchurch five points, gydenham nil. Mr J. T. Weston, was referee. LINWOOD v. CANTERBURY COLLEGE. , This gam© was played on the south

ground at Lancaster Park, which was a trifle slippery, owing to the morning's frost. There was no wind, and the Linwood team had all the beet of a slow and uninteresting game throughout, and won easily. In the first spell Egan scored two tries, one of which wee conerted by Fraser, and Walker scored a try, from which no goal resulted. In the second half Fraser, M' Donald, Ornfandy and Kelly scored tries, Fraser and Newton kicking goals. Final score: — Linwood, three, goals and four tries (twenty-seven points) to nil. Mr Charles Read was referee.