MERIVALE v EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8781, 30 April 1894, Page 6

MERIVALE v EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

The above teams met at Lancaster Park, when Metivale won easily by 31 points (2 opals and 7 tries) to nothing. Mr C. W. Garrard was referee. East Christchurch were without the services of F. Hobbs, Page and Forbes, and their places were taken by Pavitt, Neilson and Owens, while Merivale played their advertised team. Merivale (Blues) kicked off. and after a scrummage or two the Yellows worked the ball into their opponents' territory, but it did not remain there long. A pretty piece of passing between the Blues' half-back, White, Lang, and Mason, enabled the last-named to score, Lang failing to convert On resuming the Blues returned to the attack, and after East Christchurch had been twice forced down Menzies scored, the kick at goal again proving futile. A lot of even play in neutral territory followed, and then Spring broke away and looked like scoring for East Christchurch, but he was well tackled by Lawrence, the Merivale full-back. The Blues soon removed the danger, and after a passing rem Menzies scored, Lang kicking a goal, and before half-time the latter obtained a clever try, which he failed to improve upon. On changing ends the play was very e\en for a time, the Yellows having if anything slightly the best of it. After Merivale had been forced down they pulled themselves tof ether, and Lansj, getting possession in the r ellows' twenty-five, scored a try, from which a goal was kicked. A few minutes later Merivale Again invaded their opponents' quarters ami Menzies scored, but no goal was kicked. Mason scored a couple of tries in rapid succession, neither being converted, and just before the call of time White secured still another try for the Blues, no goal being kicked. East Christchurch then put iorth an expiring effort, and Lee reached the Alerivale fullback and the Yellows had a fre.s kick,- but nothing came of it, and a moment later time was called, Merivale winning as above stated.