FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11277, 19 May 1902, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Fine weather was again experienced for Saturday's m.itche*, but the grounds wer>? heavy after the morning's rain. AX three of the senior games at Lancaster Park were quits 6ne-sided, Linwood defeating Albion by 27 points to nil, 'Christchurch beating Sydenham by 24 points to nil, and Mevivale proving victorious over the High School Old Boys by 14 points to nil. There was a fair attendance at the Park, the sum of £24 9s-beins taken at. the gates. Afternoon tea was provided by the supporters of the Merivale Club, Aleidames Drake, Garrard, E\aj» (2), and i{sad., and the Misses Mensks, B&ardsley, Thornton, Read,' and-Mar-riner attending to*the wants of the visitors. Linwood is leading for the championship with 5 points, and the following table shows the positions of the various teams: —

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES. CHRTSTCHtIRCH~v. SYDENHAM. ' This match was played on the east ground at Lancaster Park, and it was generally anticipated that Sydenham, after their meritorious display against Linwood the previous wtaek, would give • Ghristchureh all their work to win, but contrary to expectation, the Sydenhamites gave a very moderate display,* and -were easily defeated by 24 points (3 goals irom tries and 3 tries) to nothing. Mr F. T. Evans was referee. Christcliurch having lost the toss, kicked off against a slight sou-west wind, and after a scrummage or two in neutral territory, a passing run between Bice. Har-per-anil Martin placed Sydenham on, the defensive, and immediately afterwards Harper, receiving a pass from Rice, dodged over the line, and scored behind the posts, Raphael converting. After the kick-off! forward play in the centre was witnessed, and then (Sydenham, headed-by McPhail, got on a good rush to the Christchurch (Reds) line, but Rice responded with a fine dribble, nearly the whole length of the ground, and a couple of Sydenham backs making.fruitless, attempts to pick up the ball, instead of falling on it, enabled the Christchurch. man to score, Raphael again adding the major points. Sydenham now played up better, and for some time the Reds were kept on the defensive, although it must be added tiis Cardinals seldom appeared dangerous. A free kick to Sydenham gave Thomas a chance at goal, bub only a -force-down resulted. Shortly after the Jvick-ont z. good passing run between Harvey, Rice, Harper, and Martin, transferred the ball to the Sydenham twlenty-five, and Hills had a coup'.e of futile shots at goal from irurice by Harper. From thence until half-tiase,-the play was in favour of the Reds, hut no further score was obtained. On changing ends a passing run between Rice, Harper, and Keating saw the last-named elude the opposing backs, but he slipped and fell before .reaching the line. Scrimmages followed, from, one of which Irons obtained possession of the ball and scored, but Wilson's kick at goal was a failure. . The Christchurch forwards soon returned to the .attack, and a passing run between Harvey, Rice, and Martin ended in Sydenham being forced. Even play followed for a time, and Christchurch then became aggressive again, and from a passing run Keating scored, Hills's kick .at goal failing. After ths kick-out Sydenham invaded their opponents' twenty-five, but Rice and Martin relieved by serviceable kicks, and the ball was taken to the other end of the field and oviT the line, McPhail saving a score by kicking the ball over the dead-ball line. Christchurch continued to attack, and a few minutes before time Keating scored! from a passing run, Hills failing to convert, and just afterwards Rice made a fine dodgy, run, evading several opponents, and scored, Wilson, by a good Kick, adding the major points.

Club. Lin wood ':. Cbristchurch. Sydenham Albiou _ Merirale .i Old Boys.. u p ! *= "~T 5 ..5 4 .. 0 2 ..5 1 ..5 1 .. 5 — I I ■ C •? 2 tk, 3 j.S jB = » • &c § 2 c jo I^4 a |iu ;~ p ~TTiO5 6 1 5 1 — 98 16 i 4 2 1 23 50 2-i 2 2 50 46 2 3 1 36 47 14 5-6 |l39 0 i i