AMONGST THE JUNIORS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9431, 1 June 1896, Page 2

AMONGST THE JUNIORS.

[By Trux B_u_.] In reply to Mr Gully's letter, which appears below, I must say that the point in question was viewed from the touchline, and there appeared to be a lot of disputing, but as Mr Gully says it was not at the referee's decision and he was in a better position to hear, I will stand corrected. As regards tho other point in his letter, however, I still stick firmly to what I wrote regarding Mitchell, and am perfectly satisfied that he did a deal of unnecessary talking. There was nothing of great note last week in the Junior matches to chronicle excep the beating of the Linwood Flag team by Richmond, a report of which I give. Christchurch beat Canterbury College by 63 points to nil in their Flag game. A week or so back Merivale beat the College men by 49 to nothing, so if they keep going on in tins way, they will have a bad record at the end of the season. I was very much surprised at the result of the Richmond-Liuwood LT. match. Taking into consideration the matches won by Lin. wood against superior opponents, I should have thought that at the hands of Richmond, Linwood could not have suffered defeat. It is often the case when a team fanoy they have an easy thing on, that they treat the game with far too much indifference. Richmond won by 9 points to 8. Dunn, full-back for Richmond, proved himself a splendid kiok, finding the touoh-line every time; his tackling was not of the best though.

Low and McEweti on the wings played up well, the first named showing very prominently now and again.

Newton at centre and Taylor at fiveeighths were perhaps the mainstay of the backs, the last-mentioned being very quick on his opposing backs. Gainon playing at half hadn't very much to do, but his kicking was good. Of the forwards Douglass, King, and 'Lloyd played the best games. The form of Linwood's full-back, O'Brien, was not so good as on former occasions. He made several bad mistakes. Hoare and Cornwall on the wings did not play any too well; the little they had to do did not afford them muoh scope, however, to shine. McNamara and Phillips played hard to avert defeat, but their opponents' tackling was too good for them in this division. Bullivant at half played bis usual game, but was handicapped by the opposing forwards nearly always coming through the scrum. Campbell, Gaw, and McMillan played the best games among the forwards. To thk Editor. Sir,—l must take exception to "True Blue's" remarks on the Linwood—East Christchurch Junior match. He says :— "True lovers of football must have felt sorry to ses the way in which the referee's decisions were accepted." Now sir, there was a certain amount of unnecessarily rough play on both sides, but I have the referee's authority for stating that not a single decision of his was disputed. " True Blue " also says:—" Once the game'was practically stopped, owing to the Linwood players gathering round the referee and arguing about his decision." In fairness to the Linwood men I would like to explain that matter. Linwood had obtained a try, and the man walking out with the ball to place it for the kick dropped it, I gave our men the word to charge, which they did. The referee stopped our charge, and the Linwood men naturally came round to hear what the referee would decide. He ruled that they should take the kick and we could appeal if we thought we

were right in charging. This satisfied both aides, and not* word of dissent was heard. Micthell is charged with talking too much. This is also a mistake, as Mitchell is one of those few players who never opens his mouth when playing, and certainly did not do so in this match. Trusting yon can find space for at least part of this letter.—l am, &c. B. P. GrjL-y. Capt. East Christchurch Junior Fifteen. Christchurch, May 19.