" Weekly Press aud Referee." After the numerous fine Saturday, experienced in Christchureh this season one roust expsct unfavourable weather now and again, but although a slight drizzle fell towards the close of last Saturday's games there was but little to complain of from a player's point of view. The south west wind made it rather cold for spectators, however.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9143, 29 June 1895, Page 4

" Weekly Press aud Referee." After the numerous fine Saturday, experienced in Christchureh this season one roust expsct unfavourable weather now and again, but although a slight drizzle fell towards the close of last Saturday's games there was but little to complain of from a player's point of view. The south west wind made it rather cold for spectators, however.

By Dropkick.

After the numerous fine Saturday, experienced in Cbriatchurch this season one roust expsct unfavourable weather now and again, but although a slight drizzle fell towards the close of last Saturday's games there was but little to complain of from a player's point of view. The south west wind made it rather cold tor spectators, however.

Remembering the closely contested game between Chris, church and Mori vale earlier in the season, when the latter won by 14 points to 9, it was generally anticipated that another good game would be witnessed. Such proved to be the case too, a* at the call of time each side had scored a try, the match thm resulting in a draw. As an exhibition of scientific football, the gime proved disippointincr, neither team allowing anything approaching their usual form, the forwards having almost entire possetsion of the ball from kick off until no side was called. Such being the case tho g.tms does not call for ao extended criticism. Christchureh with tho wind in their favour had a good deal tho best of the pity iv the opening spell, but when Merivale had the advantage mentioned they kept their opponents chiefly ou the defenn've. On the form displayed, there was but little to choose between the two teams and a draw was a fitting termination for an even game.

Craig played a safe, if not brilliant game as full-back for Christchureh, his kicking being good and his tackling sure. L. W. and F. S. Harley, who usually pl«y centre and wing three-quarter respectively, were unable to represent their club owing to accidents. Thomson and Glodhill filled the vacancies. The f jrmcr did not have many opportunities of displaying his powers, but what little fell to his lot was peiformed ia a satisfactory manner and his passing and kicking were good, while he proved safe on the defence. Gledhill showed to greater advantage thai whon formerly playing in the senior ranks, some of his runs being very good and his handling of the oval showed considerable Improvement. F. I. Cowlishaw on the other wing had but few chances of distinguishing himself, but he nevertheless put in a lot of useful work, and his tackling wa9 first class. J. S Mlddleton aud Glendinning, at five-eighths and half respectively, aiso had but few oppor tunlties of shining. What they had to do however, was well executed. Taylor and C. Smith, on the wing of the scrummage, both started numerous forward rushes and each hampered tho opposing backs by their smart following up. The other forwards all played well, T. CowlUhaw, Frost and Appleby, perhaps, being the pick of an even lot.

Fountaine, the Merivale full-back, had a good deal to do, and on the whole he acquitted himself well, although once or twice he lost ground by fumbling. Lawrence, as centre three-quarter and Mason and R. Cook on the wings did fairly, but the Merivale play in this department is far below the standard of reoent years, when Lang and P. Meuzies were such towers of strength. There Is, perhaps, not so much difference between the present trio and the others when defensive work is required, but when on the attack the short-comings of the former are very noticeable, and one looks In vain for the dodgy runs and clever passes of Lane: and the determined runs of Menzles, White and Cook are as good as ever In the positions of five-eighths and half respectively, but most of their work is nullified by the weak men behind them. Johnstone and M'Gulre did fairly well as wing forwards, and of the others Soffa, Geraid, Fraser, Marrinor and Haldane did best, the last named showing up to much better advantage than when playing on the wing the previous week.

The match North Canterbury v. Sydenham did not attract many spectators to Sydenham Park, probably on account of the weather. On the form there was not very much to pick between either team, the game being even throughout. The play was confined chiefly to the forwards, the ball being so greasy that (he captains of both teams realised that dribbling was the game to be played, although the North Canterbury backs were individually superior to their opponents (Reese being an exception amongst the latter), and their forwards were heavier, the Cardinals (Sydenham) made a game flght of it, and made up their deficiencies from their lack of weight, by strong dribbling rushes, and consistent following up. As a display of scientific football the game was a failure. From start to finish it was little more than a promitcuous scramble. The tries gained by North Canterbury were the outcome of Individual runs, the absence of any combined play in the back department being a feature of the game. An exception to this was a pretty piece of combined play between M'Arthur, and Reese, which ended in the latter scoring a well deserved try. Mr Richards made an efficient referee, though at times some of the spectators did not seem to think so.

Efford, the North Canterbury full-back had little collaring to do; his kicks were made with few mistakes. Duncan, tbe centre three-quarter, played a fine game. He is fast and very strong, and the try he gained was the result of a strong run, from a hard pass out from the line. Miller was suffering from an injury received in the match against the College, and consequently was not seen to much advantage. Moreover, as there was little passing done, he had few chances. Allison on the left wiug kicks well, but, as pointed out last week, is rather too light to be a dangerous scoring man. Wilson, as usual, made some useful kicks into touch. He confined himself chit fly to this style of game, leaving the offensive play more to the forwards. Anderson, at half, was particularly good, he is strong and makes some good dodgy runs. He has also, with Wilson, picked up the trick of punti_g into touch, over his head. This, it will be remembered, used to be practised by Helmore with great effect. In fact it seems to be a privilege specially given to North Canterbury teams. Of tho forwards Roebuck and Wilmot in the loose, and Marshall and Fitzgerald in the pack were about the beat.

Young, the Sydenham full-back, did all he had to do well. His collaring powers are evidently well-known to theNortherners.as almost invariably they got rid of the ball, as soon as possible when nearing him. Forester, the centre three-quarter, did not play well. He is rather small tor the position. Reese played bis usual good game, and is undoubtedly the mainstay of the team. The way be gets through his men is very clever. Halllday on the other wing bad little to do, bat, like Forester, [he is scarcely up to Senior form. Glennle, at five-eighths, also did not show np much. He tried to start some passing to his backs, but was generally unsuccessful. M'Arthur gets the ball out well, and otherwise played a good game, but should not stand so near the scrummage. The forwards all played a hard game, and it was owing to them that it was such an even game. Their footwork was better than the Northerners, gaining them ground every time. There was little to pick from as regards the superiority of one over the other, though Hail, Dardls and Meikleham may be mentioned as playing a particularly good game. The contest between Linwood and Katapol was a most exciting one and splendidly contested throughout. The Eaiapol team gave their best exhibition so far this season, but Linwood were far and away superior In their back play, as tfcey rarely fumbled the ball, whereas the Kaiapoi backs hardly took any of their passes cleanly. Kaiapol, on the other

hand, had the advantage forward and managed to carry the scrummage nearly every time, and thny were also superior to their epponents in the loose dribbling rushes.

Orchard played another fine game as fullback for Linwood. He took the ball in any position and had a lot of tackling to do, and he always brought his men dowa. J. O'Brien played very well a* wing threequarter, but he was too well watched to do much. The try he got, which won the game for bis side, however, was a smart piece of work. Hobb- at centra had a lot to do, and he got through a heavy afternoon's work in a satisfactory mannsr. Stiinger, on the other wing, was very in and out. He made some nica runs but at times he was clean off. F. O'Brien at fiveeighths had plenty of work, and considering tbe stale of the ball he give his other backs plenty of passes. Price played ahout as well as ever he has done. The wet day seemed to suis him aud, although opposed to two of the best wing forwards iv the district, he did an immense amount of work. Of the forwards Fanning, M*Farlane and Kerr were very conspicuous, but all played well.

For Kaiapoi Featherston at full was completely " off colour." At times he took the ball well, but as a rule he fumbled ; his kicking was good. A. Pearce played excellently, although he seemed affected by the weather, and failed to take the ball a lot in the first spell. After this he did better, and made a few very fine runs towards the finish of the game. In fact, had he gone straight ahead he would probably have scored on one occasion. M'Grejstor, at centre, did not show up. He took the ball well, but was tackled before he could cret rid of it. Robiliiard, on the other wing, simply could not hold the ball. He had some nics passes, but as far as I could see did not hold one of them. Renaldi at five-eighths, on Saturday's form, .3 an improvement to the club. Gray, at half, fully upheld bis reputation, aud was wondeifully good at getting the ball away. Of the forwards, .7. Moir and Dicky seemed to be the best. They were always on the ball, and the former is playing a fine game. Of the others, Forre3t, Lynaky, Oram and Simpson were very conspicuous, aud they must all have played very well to have pushed a strong set of forwards like their opponents. The senior matches to be decided under the auspices of the Canterbury Rugby Union ou Saturday next are Christchureh v. North Canterbury at Rangiora, and Merivale v. Eist Christchureh and Linwood v. Sydenham at Lancaster Park. The first-named contest should be closely contested, but I prefer the chances of Christchureh, while the other games should result in favour of Merivale and Linwood respectively. There was a greatdeal too much talking on the part of the players in the North Canterbury-Sydenhara match. O'Brien scored his usual try on Saturday, and Reese, the Sydenham player, also added another try to hi* list. Anderson the North Canterbury half is Improving rapidly, and last Saturday he scored a good try against Sydenham. C. Menzieo was unable to play for Merivale on Saturday owing to an injury received while playing against Linwood the previous week. There are three Menzies in the Merivale Club and each is now on the injured list. It is time that Senior Championship contests were started punctually. Although advertised for 2.45, the North Canterbury-Sydenham match did not start until three. The rough play of Rides, of the Merivale team, on Saturday was the subject of comment at Lancaster Park and the manner in which he threw F. I. Cowlishaw, when the latter was in touch, was unfavourably criticised. There is a great deal of difference between hard play and rough play. bydenham Park was in very fair condition last Saturday despite the bad weather we have been having. The drawn game between Merivale and Christchureh on Saturday is the third of the present season, the previous ones being between East Christchureh and Sydenham and East Christchureh and Merivale. Last season the only drawn game was between Linwood and Merivale. The small boy nuisance was happily absent at the match North Canterbury v. Sydenham on Saturday. lam glad the authorities have seen to keeping the youngsters out of the ground. The Linwood First, Second and Third Fifteens won all their matches on Saturday by a try to nothing. Sydenham had hard lines in having four points scored against them from a mark, just on the call of time on Saturday. Wilson and Fitzgerald landed a good goal each, playing against Sydenham on Saturday. In reply to a letter asking the Otago Rugby Union In tbe event of their touring the North Island this season, to play at Wanganui, the hon. secretary of the former body has been instructed to answer that they would not send a team north.

The West Coast Rugby Union have offered the Nelson Uniou £20 to play two matches, one in Greymouth and one in Hokitika, next month. I notice the former body have disqualified a. member of the Brunner Club for the rest of the season for using abusive language to the referee and disputing his decisions.

M'Laren, the New Zealander, who was expected to play for Balmain this -eason (says a Sydney paper) has been elected captain of the Brisbane Wallaroo Club, and will, therefore, take up his residence for a time in the northern capital. This I* a disappointment to Balmain, who are sorely in need of good men. This afternoon, a chance, is being given to Sid Hayes, a Goulburn player, who will be placed as a wing three-quarter. Hayes was a considerable success In country football. It remains to be seen what he will do here.

At Sydney on June Bth the Senior Badge matches resulted in Paddineton defeating Wallaroo by 12 points to nil: Randwick beat WeDtworth by the same margin and University defeated Balmain by 16 points to nothing. F. Warbrick was unable to play for Wentworth owing to a bad cold, and Whiteside played in his old place at three-quarter for Randwick.