LINWOOD v CHRISTCHITRCH.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10381, 26 June 1899, Page 3

LINWOOD v CHRISTCHITRCH.

The second meeting of the above clubs drew, an attendance of some 2000 spectators to Lancaster Park .on Saturday, as had Chnstchurch repeated their jsuccess" of , earlier in the season, they would probably win the championship, but a win for. Lmwood would still leave the question of the premiership open, Christchurch, Linwood and Merivale all having a show. The game was evenly oontested throughout, Linwood eventually winning by 5 points (a goal from a try) to nothing. Mr P. T. Evans was referee. Linwood won the toss, and as the wind gave but little advantage to either side, they chose the northern goal, Christchurch thus ihaving the sun in their faces. Jack kicked off for Cforistchurch, and after a few scrums in neutral territory, the ball taken to Christchurch twenty-five, , - Dart, the Christcburoh full-back, being alow in getting in ibis kick. The ktter'e forwards soon rempved. the danger, but for some time the play was carried on in tlie vicinity of. the " Christehurcih twenty-five. Orchard and B. Fanning each got a mark, but E. O'Brien and Ward failed* in their respective kicks, and good play by Midd'leton removed the game to the centre. A dribble by the Linwood forwards was (responded to by a kick by Dart, but the ball was soon worked back again into the Christchurch quarters, and a passing run between Price, Cowper and Byrne ended in the last named scoring a tr~ wjmoh he converted. On resuming Christchurbh had "the better of the play, and a good chance of scoring wag lost by Pyne knocking on. Eventually Linwood were forced down, and after the kick out even play was witnessed, until the Linwood forwards took the ball to their opponents' twenty-five, and the latter, in turn, were forced from an attempt at goal, from a free, kick, by Byrne. Linwood now had a,lot the best of the play, and Christohurch were.-.twiice forced,, but after these escapes the latter pulled themselves together and for the of the spell kept Linwood on the defensive, Martin, on one occasion, all but scoring. On changing ends Linwood at once assumed tie aggressive, but the danger, was soon removed, and the ball being taken to the other end of the field, Christchurch were awarded a free kick, Fisher failing with Ms shot at goal, and a few minutes later the same player had a pot at goal, which forced Linwood. Christchurch were now having decidedly the better ;of the play, their forwards fairly beating the opposition, but the superior back play of Linwood saved them. The 'latter at length shifted the scene of operations, and from a passing rum tin *he Christchuroh twenty: five Orchard nearly scored, Christchurch being forced just afterwards. Even play followed, and each side had fruitless shots at- goal from free kicks. A passing run between the Christchurcb. backs threatened danger, but a bad pass by Middleton prevented .a score, and the Linwood forwards soon worked the ball into neutral territory. A rush by the Christchurch forwards took' the play back again, and Martin, made a dash for the line, but he was brought down within a couple of yards from the corner flag. Even play followed until the call of time.