CHRISTCHURCH v. ALBION

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13466, 5 July 1909, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH v. ALBION

Christchurch defeated Albion, on tho west ground at Lancaster Park, by 17 points to nil. Albion were playing with ten men for the greater portion of the first spell, but they succeeded later in increasing this number to a dozen. They opened fairly well, as if they were going to hold their own, but the numerical strength of Christchurch began to tell, and Albion could do little better than play a defensive game. Despite the fact that tho ball was greasy and the ground worse, tho Christehureh backs played a very "heady" game, and to this their substantial win ia attributable.

Good forward work by Walter and Button soon after the kick-off took play into Albion's territory, but a freekick to Albion allowed Weston to centre. Christchurch, however, again forced their opponents back to the goalline, whore a scrum ensued. Tosswill got the ball and passed to Morrison, aud the latter kicked across to Jacobsen, and ho scored. Morrison failed to convert. A rush by Fryer, Anderson, and Button looked dangerous, but good work by Burns and Weston shifted operations bo'the centre. A little later Albion were awarded a penalty kick and Weston had an unsuccessful shbt at-goal. Harper was prominent in some loose work, which eventually ended in Albion having to force. The game was then shifted to the Christchurcli line, and Weston was given another opportunity to place a goal, but the ball went wide. Even play followed for the remainder of the spell. After changing ends Albion took play into their opponents' quarters, but _t forward rush removed danger, and later the game settled in Albion's twenty-five. Button secured possession and passed to Fryer, from whom the ball went to Harper and Jacobsen, and the last named scored. Harper's attempt to convert, though a good one, went wide of the posts. Walter later broke away with the ball at his toe and took it to Albion's line, where he lost it. Tonkin, who was following up fast, snapped up the leather and scored. "Morrison converting. Miller secured the ball shortly afterwards and a passing rush between Fryer, Harper and Jacobsen resulted in the last named scoring another try. Morrison was un. successful in his attempt to convert. Another passing rush was indulged in by Fryer, Morrison and Harper, but the ball was thrown forward, and from th® ensuing scrum Christchurch were penalised and Weston centred. Christchurch, however, returned to the attack, and Jacobsen secured the ball and passed to Button, who scored. Miller failed to convert. Mr A. E. Fuller was referee.