SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11876, 25 April 1904, Page 10

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

ALBION" v CANTERBURY COLLEGE. The match between Albion and Canterbury College was pluyedj on the south ground at Lancaster Park. Albion won easily by a goal from a try and eight tries (29 points) to nil. Albion (Blacks) kicked off against a slight easterly win, and mc opening scrummages were fought out near the Colleae twenty-five. The Collegians were awarded a free kick, which removed play to the centre, but a forward rush by the* Blacks took the ball back again, and the Maroons were forced down. After the kick-oat Albion quickly returned to the attack, and a passing run between Burns and Henry enabled the latter to ecore, the same player, by a good kick converting the try. " After this the College held their own for a time, and most of The play was witnessed between the halfway flag and the Maroons' twenty-five. Kicks by Henry and Weston, and a rusti by Wilson, placed the College line in danger, but tlie Hitter's forwards, Cook being to the fore, -soon shifted the ball to safer quarters. Shannon headed another rush to the Maroons' line, and passing to the backs, a score seemed likely, but Pengelly failed to take the greasy ball, and Sellar responded with a good kick out of touch by the Albion's twentyfive. Tho Blacks quickly rvturned the ball to the College quarters, but a fumble by Turner, the Albion full-back, gave Seller a clear run. Tlie latter passed to Furness, who should have easily scored, but he hesitated, and allowed himself to lie tackled. The Maroons were awarded a free kick just afterwards, and Sellar's attempt at goal forced Albion down. A lot of fast forward play between the two twenty-fives followed, and then the Albion forwards got in a rush, from which Atkinson scored, Henry's kick at goal failing. A few minutes later Albion were awarded a free kick, and the College were forced by Henry's attempt at goal. Half-time was then called. On changing ends a fumble by Turner at once placed Albion on the defensive, but the scene of operations was quickly removed to the other end. and the Blacks looked like scoring. Acheson intercepted a pass, and ran and kicked to past the centre. The Albion forwards worked the ball back, and, after two or» three players had made futile attempts to cross the line, Burns scored, Henny failing at goal. Turner returned the kickout well, and the College were hard pressed. A mark by Henry saw Weston make a good, though unsuccessful shot at goal, the College being forced. Henry all but scored a few minutes later, and from the scramble on the line which followed, Pengelly gained a try, Henry's kick" again failing. Tlie 3laroons then got on a passing run, in which Sellar, Sykes, and Acheson took parts the last-named nearly scoring, but the Blacks soon removed the danger. From now to the finish the College defence broke completely down, and after they had been, forced two or three times Gillespie scored a try, Weston's kick at goal being fruitless. At short intervals Burns, Wilson, Henry, and Phillips gained additional tries, but, owing to the wet and preasy ball, none were improved. At the call of time the Maroons were still defending their line. Ma: R. W. Barry | was referee.