FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7296, 29 April 1889, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The East Christchurch Club played * practice on Saturday between a picked fifteen and the rest of the Club. Thirteen players turned up for the Fifteen, and sixteen for the Club. During the first spell the Fifteen had much the best of the fame, scoring 4 tries, which wera gained y Forbes, Dow (2), and Lee. The play was of a very give and take nature, the forwards of both sides getting on some very good rushes at times. Several of the players have yet to learn that they can gain much more ground by a combined rush than by picking up as soon as the ball leaves the scrum. This was very noticeable during the second spelLwhen several good rushes were spoilt by the forwards attempting to pick the ball up and run with it. In the second spell only the forwards changed sides. The Clnb forwards having the assistance of the Fifteens' backs, made a much better fight of it, and succeeded in scoring 4 tries, 3of which A. Hobbs converted into goals. The tries were gained by A. Hobbs (3) and C. J. Atkinson. As the first round of matches start on May 11th, the Committee have arranged walks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. . The second practice match between the Sydenham and Addington Clubs was played on the old Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon. It resulted in a win for Sydenham by 16 points (3 goals 7 tries) to nothing. Mackay, Donnelly and Wattle obtained a try each, and the remainder of the scoring was done by Allardyce and McLean. Addington were at a great disadvantage by notbeing fully represented, and it is to be regretted that any members of a picked team should absent themselves from even practice matches. . The match Sydenham Fourth v the Boys' High School ended In a win for the Sydenham by 1 point to nothing. Asqulth scored the try. ___ .—,.'■ The match played at Heathcote Valley on Saturday, between teams representing Merivale Fourth and Lyttelton Juniors, resulted in a win for the latter by 3 points to nothing. A match was played on Saturday between the Lower College First Fifteen and Boys' High school Third Fifteen. It resulted in a win for the High School lads by 25 points to 3. ,-,_■» _*iA scratch match was played at North Park on Saturday between the CamWldge First and Sydenham Second Fifteens. Neither Club put their strongest team In the field. The game was well-contested throughout, and resulted in a draw, eacb side obtaining a try.