MERIVALE v ALHAMBRA.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7872, 25 May 1891, Page 6

MERIVALE v ALHAMBRA.

The match Merivale (Christchurch) v Alhambra was started on the Caledonian Ground before a large attendance. Merivale invaded the Reds' quarters, but play was soon shifted, and Restieaux got over, but the try was disallowed for an infringement of the rules. After some fine play, a free kick was given to Merivale from naifflag. Garrard had a place, the ball striking the crossbar. Another free kick caused Alhambra to force. The play was very even for a time, and then the Alhambras' quarters were invaded. F. Homer got a mark near the twenty-five flag, and Garoard placed a goal. Grand passing by Alhambra nearly resulted in a try, Homer just collaring McCleary on the line. Alhambra kept up the pressure, aud Restieaux's place from a free kick just fell under the bar. Merivale invaded the Reds' quarters, but play was shifted back, and Merivale were forced down. Restieaux had another place from a j free kick, but it fell short again, and halftime was called, with the score—Merivale 3, Alhambra 0. In the second spell, after about ten minutes' play, in which the visitors quite held their own, Restieaux placed a goal from a penalty kick, ana this appeared to put heart into Alhambra, as shortly after that a fine dribble resulted in Crawford scoring a try, which was not con- j verted. The scores were now 3 points each. The game had not been started long before Alhambra swooped on the visitors with a fine passing ran, which ended in .Cunningham getting over the line, and Restieaux placed the coveted goal, bringing the score up to 6 points. The Merivale played up remarkably well for the remainder of the spell, but the Alhambra were fairly satisfied to maintain a stubborn defence, and no further score resulted, the game ending in a win for the Alhambra by 6 points to 3. The match was a most interesting one, and the visitors showed that they were but little behind their opponents in the science of the game, their vigilance and smart collaring being greatly admired.