FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9398, 27 April 1891, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Only two senior matches were played on Saturday, owing to the Addington Ciub having dropped out. At the North Park, Linwood gained thoir first win as a senior team by defeating Christchurch by a goal and two tries to nothing, while at Sydenham, Canterbury College scored five points to Sydenham’s one. Details . LINWOOD v. CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch took the field a much weaker team back than on tho previous Saturday, as both half-backs, Berneyand Smart, aud Wilkinson, three-quarter, wore unable to play, being temporarily disabled. But the forwards were undoubtedly strengthened, aud mention of the gallant struggle they maintained when short-handed, against a much heavier and more powerful team, is made below. Linwood won tho toss, and Hawkea kicked off for Christchurch with a heavy rain driving in tbo faces of fcia men. At tho start Christchurch had the best of the play, and twice forced their opponents down, tha result of forward rushes. Neither team showed a wonderful amount of combination, but Linwood most certainly were a great deal more together than the others, and good forward play, assisted by smart and accurate passing by Gordon and Price, gave Hobbs, Ormandy and Cox ample work in running and kicking, and kept the opposing three-quarters ever on tho alert. From a scrimmage inside the Christchurch twenty-five Gordon secured the ball, and, bluffing the men who should have collared him, ran to the fullback, and, passing to Hobbs, the latter touched down between tho posts. Stapleton’s try at goal resulted in the ball striking the crossbar. Shortly after this Hobbs ran through the Christchurch backs and gained a second try, which, however, he railed to convert. Just about this time La Cron badly hurt his shoulder, and was forced to retire, while, a few minutes later. Burners had the misfortune to break one of his fingers and also left the field. The Christchurch forwards were thus reduced to seven, and it was very unfortunate for them that tho players who were hurt wore two of the most serviceable men in the team. The remainder of the spell was played without any further score being registered. In tho second half Wiglet, who had been playing at half for Christchurch, went back to three-quarter, Thomson taking his place. For some time tho play was pretty even. Then Christchurch began to get tha upper hand. Wilson, whose form in the first spell was very poor, put in some excellent work; so did Labatt end Thomson, while Wiglsy stopped the speedy Ormandy every time in fine style. Amongst the forwards Laurie, Humphreys, Scully and Hawkes were moat noticeable in the rushes which kept their opponents so busy in defending. Just at this time the forwards decidedly outplayed those of Linwood, and for at least a third of the spell the latter bad the appearance of being disorganised. When they got together again, however, the play was up and down the field, with Linwood playing the stronger game. Finally a rush of the forwards carried the ball over the Christchurch line, and J. Stapleton scored, and taking tho place himself, he converted with a splendid kick. The few minutes of the spoil that remained resulted in give and take play.

CANTERBURY COLLEGE v, SYDENHAM.

Much to the discomfiture of our longsuffering “war correspondent,” the above teams decided on Saturday that, although a steady downpour of rain was on hand, their game should be gone on with. The game was a wonderfully fine, fast one, especially when the atmospheric conditions are considered ; and both teams are to be congratulated upon the scientific and skilful game provided for the delectation of the few hundred spectators who were brave enough to visit the Old Show Grounds. The game was won by the College team by five points to one, but the score does not give a fair idea of the respective merits of the two teams, as the play throughout was very even, and mostly up and down the field. At the start of the first spell, the game was very even for a long time, first one side and then the other having the advantage. Then the College asserted themselves a hit, and only magnificent tackling by Young kept Craddock and Cresswell out, and the home team was hard pressed for a long time. At last Sydenham's “little wonder,” Gerard, came to the rescue, aud by some- splendid dribbles quite altered the aspect of things, and a penalty kick forced the Collegians down. Even play followed until a penalty kick gave the Maroons a goal—two to nil. The fight afterwards was waged in every quarter of the field, until a fine sweeping charge of the College forwards fixed the warfare on tho Sydenham line, and only heroic efforts by Reesa, M'Lean and Young prevented a score, and a long pot by Mellis forced the College. Cane came away with a good run, which was immediately beaten by an answering effort of M'Lean’s, hut Cane, not to be outdone, broke away from a lino-out, and got clean away as far as Young, who of course upset him, and the play was wonderfully fast and exciting, the unfortunate ball being bandied about now here and now there without a moment’s peace. Half time was called, and the teams changed ends without stopping. Soonaf ter the kick-out Gerard passed unselfishly to M'Lean in front of the College line, and “Jam” easily shook off Craddock's attentions and went over. Gerard took tho kick, and just missed. Score —two to one. The next feature in the play was a sensational dribble from tho centre right over the College line by Gerard, aided by Pender, Thomas and Morrison, and a force resulted. The home team now played well together, and kept up a long but unsuccessful attack on the College line. At last Ward broke away and passed to Cresswell, who got as far as Young, who upset him skilfully, but not before he had passed splendidly to Craddock, who had a clear run in, and, as Marshall improved the try to a goal, five to one was the record. Prom this out the College had somewhat the better of the play, and Young had his hands pretty full. Ho never made a mistake, however, and hia exhibition of dead-sure tackling has never yet been beaten in a Club match here. No further score resulted, and a very creditable game was concluded with the score as above stated.

JUNIOR FLAG,

Merivale Second beat Christchurch Second by one goal five tries (eight points) to one goal (three points). The day was very unfavourable for football, the backs having little to do. Christchurch had much the best of the first spell and Merivale had matters their own way in the second half. White potted a goal and Rides (2), Penberthy, Hiddlestone and Scrimshaw secured tries for tho winners, while Rees scored the try for Christchurch and Rutherford placed tho goal. The game between East Christchurch and Sydenham resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. Good form was shown by Quinn, Izett (2), Shaw (2), Samuels and Spring ; for Sydenham, Petrie (2), Bstts, Asquith and Denham. It is only fair to say that the East Christchurch were at a di ’advantage, four of their men being away. The match between the Lyttelton Juniors and the Kaiapoi First was played on Saturday afternoon on the ground of the latter, resulting in a win for the local team by seven points to nil. The 'North Canterbury and Linwood Second met at the Rangiora recreation ground on Saturday afternoon, and North Canterbury scored a win by nine points to four. In “the first spell the northerners scored four points, Fitzgerald and James obtaining tries, a goal being kicked from the latter by Fitzgerald. In tho _ second spell A. C. Wilmot scored two tries and U r „ one, which was converted into a goal by Fitzgerald. For Linwood King and O’Neil obtained tries, and Orchard kicked a goal from the hitter’s try, tho scoring bein'-* doae inthasecondspell. The Linwood team’ did better work than their opponents in .the scrimmages, but North, Canterbury

had the advantage in passing and dribbling, two"departments' of the game they have been giving special attention to. The passing which led up to Urn's try would have done credit to a senior team.

Cambridge First defeated Christ’s College First by eighteen points to one. Tries were obtained by Gair, M'Kendry and T. Owens (two each), Morrison, Wright, Hamilton, Williams. Neilson, Collins (one each). Owens, Neilson and Wright placed one goal each. Murphy scored for the losers. OTHER MATCHES. Cambridge Second defeated the Boys’ High School First by nine points to nil. Dardis, Fraser, Fisher, Nixon and White scored, and Hendron and M'Callmn placed a goal each. Carrdock and Lee played well for the losers. Morivale Fourth beat Linwood Fourth by three goals two tries (ten points) to nil. Mason (2), M'Farlane and Farquhar scored tries, two of which Lambert converted, and Tovey kicked a goal from a penalty kick, Merivale Third beat Kalapoi Second by one goal to one try. Ohisnall secured the try, and Barry placed tbe goal. Sydenham Third met and defeated Christchurch Third by fifteen points to nil. Osborne two tides one goal, Bastion two tries, Forrester one try two goals. Burgees and Brown one try each. Rowe placed a goal.

CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION, SENIOR FIXTURES.

A meeting of Club Secretaries was held on Saturday evening at the Commercial Hotel, at eight o’clock. The first round of the senior matches was re-arranged as follows :

May 3.—-Christchurch v. Merivale, East Christchurch v. Canterbury College and Linwood v. Sydenham.

May 9.—Canterbury College v, Merivale, East Christchurch v. Sydenham, Christchurch a bye, Linwood a bye. May lb.—Merivale v. Sydenham, Canterbury College v. Christchurch, Linwood v. East Christchurch.

May 30.—Merivale v. East Christchurch, Linwood v. Canterbury College, Christchurch v. Sydenham. The above matches will be played on tbe grounds of the first-named Clubs, with, the exception of the Canterbury CollegeMerivale and tbe Merivale-Sydcnham matches, which will be played, through the courtesy of the Christchurch Club, on, their ground.

LINWOOD FOOTBALL CLUB.

A farewell, tendered by the above Club to Messrs P. C. Triggo and J. Cusack, who are leaving for the Tasmanian silver mines on Tuesday next, was held in the L.F.C. Club-rooms on Friday evening last. The fine large room was filled with members and visitors. Mr P. C. Trigga was one of the three gentlemen who started the Club some four seasons back; he has been Treasurer for the Club ever since it was started, and baa taken an active part in the field every season, being one of the best forwards the Club has had, Mr Cusack also took a prominent part In the Club; he has been a Committeeman for the last three years, and played up till last season. Messrs C. Reid, Woodward, Maurice and G. H. Mason (visitors) contributed songs, as also did members of the Club. The evening wound up by the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne,” after Mr Arthur Hobbs, Captain of the Club, had presented to the gentlemen mentioned a handsome, silver-mounted pipe each.