FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9428, 1 June 1891, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The final matches of the first round were played on Saturday, under most favourable conditions. At the North Park there was an immense attendance to witness the match between Merivale and East Christchurch, which tho latter won by two points to one, after a very close and interesting game. On an adjoining ground Sydenham somewhat easily defeated Christchurch, while at Lancaster Park Canterbury College gained a most decisive victory over Linwood. Details•

MERIVALE v- EAST CHRISTCHURCH. This match was the principal attraction, on Saturday. Merivale kicked off, and immediately the ball was rushed into their portion of the ground. Fast forward work, and plenty of it, was relieved by some pretty and effective passing amongst the Merivale backs, F. Horner, Cook, White and Menzies, which drove the Yellows back. But the attack was well sustained by the East, almost entirely by the forwards though; for Leo injured his knee shortly after the start, and was almost useless for the remainder of the spell, while Plavell was playing so streakily that Hobbs, the East Christchurch captain, wisely refrained from throwing the ball about. At times Merivale improved considerably upon mistakes made by their opponents, and on several occasions got well into the Yellows’ quarters. Once M‘Arthur made a nice run, which ended quite near to the East goal-posts. But the advantages thus gained were momentary only. Merivale undoubtedly had much the worst of the play in the first spell. Their line was often in danger, and only tha combination and splendid defence kept it from being crossed. P. Hobbs intercepted a pass intended for White, and, running to Pearse, the Merivale full back, “ kneed ” the ball over his head. Pearse committed a foul by charging Hobbs, and a penalty kick was awarded to the Yellows, but it was fruitless, though within easy range of the goal. The teams crossed over without any score being registered. The second spall opened with East Christchurch still aggressive, but the Blues soon pulled themselves together, and for something like twenty minutes, played with a dash, vigour and enthusiasm that was altogether too much for thei r opponents. Horner and M'Guire charged over the East line, but between them missed the ball, which was forced down; another brilliant Merivale rush had a similar result, through tha over-eagerness of- the players, who interfered with one another. Some passing between White, Cook and M‘Arthur was stopped in the nick of time, a few yards from the East goal - line, by Heyward and Spring. The latter kicked the ball up the field past Pearce, and in the chase that ensued secured it over the Merivale line. Hobbs failed to convert. Immediately afterwards Merivale was allowed a penalty kick, which Garrard very nearly succeeded in changing into a goal, the ball dropping under the bar. A mistake on the part of one of the East backs gave Merivale an opening, which was not neglected, and Evans secured a try, which, however, Garrard failed to improve upon. Then Plavell made a good run up to the Merivale corner flag, where Pearse pushed him into touch. This was followed by some give and take play, and finally just before time an East rush enabled Samuels to score. The place was again a failure. Thus a pleasant and wellcoatested match ended in a win for East Christchurch by two tries to one try. The Rev J. Hoatson was referee, and had the assistance of two line judges. CHRISTCHURCH v. SYDENHAM. The match between the First Fifteens of these Clubs came off in the North Park, and although it was thought the teams were almost evenly balanced, very little public interest was taken in the trial of strength,„ the match, Merivale v. East Christchurch, which was played on tha adjoining ground, absorbing the attention of the crowd. Christchurch played one man short. Play was merry from the kick-off. The Reds, with a dribbling rush, carried the ball well within their opponents’twenty-five. Here it did not long remain, Sydenham removing the danger, and in turn invading the Christchurch quarters. Within ten minutes from the start, Donnelly secured the leather, and with a smart run got across the Reds’ lino between the posts. Gerard took the kick, and placed an easy goal to the credit of his side. After the Reds had succeeded in forcing Sydenham down, the ball was again taken into the Christchurch quarter, and, after some good play on the part of the Sydenham hacks, Donnelly again gob in, and Gerard, being entrusted with the kick, placed a second goal for his side. For an infringement of the rules, Sydenham was awarded a free kick, and Gerard, for the third time, although the angle was difficult, sent the ball fairly between the posts. Play for some time was carried on in neutral territory, and at half - time the score .stood Sydenham eight, Christchurch nil. On resuming, the Beds rallied, and play was centred in Sydenham's quarters, Laurie at last running in and securing first try for his side. Wilson took the kick and placed the major score. Almost immediately the Beds obtained another try, but Turton’s kick at goal was a failure. Before many minutes elapsed a third try was secured by Wilson, but the kick did not further augment the score. Sydenham then rushed the ball to the Christchurch quarters, and Riley getting possession, secured a try, which Gerard converted. A fourth try for Sydenham was scored through the instrumentality of Riley, M'Lean and Reese, the last-named being the one to cross the line. Gerard failed to place the goal. No further score was made, the leather at call of time being close to the Christchurch goal line. Sydenham thus won by twelve points to five.

CANTERBURY COLLEGE v. LINWOOD. This match was played at Lancaster Park, and resulted in the utter discomfiture of the Linwood team by sixteen points to nil. This result was mainly brought about by the magnificent combination, unselfishness and skill existing amongst the College backs; and we are not afraid of contradiction when we assert that their display of Saturday was one of the finest expositions of true and scientific Rugby football yet witnessed here. Linwood, according to its lights, played uncommonly well for a long time; but at the finish fell all to pieces before the unusually powerful attack of the Maroons; After the kick-off the College at once asserted itself, and Hobbs and M'Gregor were very noticeable in defence. Then the College was a little bit troubled, and by tbe work of Baillie and Stapleton Linwood got over, but was called back for a pass forward. Then for a long time the ball gravitated between the two twenty-fives, 'the Linwood forwards equalising the work of the College backs. At last Jack broke the ice and darted over, end J. Marshall converted—-three to nil. For a while Linwood kept up and held its own, but as a result of pome splendid passing, J. Marshall got over, but failed in his effort to improve. Four to nil. Beautiful passing again ended in Craddock being enabled to run right behind the posts, bat no goal was kicked, and at half-time the score was five to nil in favour of tbe College. The second spell went on for a long time in the centre of the ground, the Green forwards by fine, dashing play and fast following up, keeping tbe formidable Maroon backs well in check. Later on, the Linwood backs, beaded by Gordon and I Hobbs, attacked the College line, and for some time the home team held its own, manfully and well. The spell was nearly ...gone without a score,, and'. iiiawood.

supporters were looking for the finish without expecting any further disaster; but in about as many minutes eleven more points were added by the College by most brilliant play and combination. Ward scored first, rather a lucky try, but Oresswell failed to convert-»»six to nil. A fine dribble by Jack, well taken up by Pitcaithly, took the ball over the line, and Lloyd, Clarkson and Jack touched down simultaneously, and Marshall converted—-nine to nil. At once a magnificent passing rush of College backs let Balche score under the bar, and Marshall again piloted the leather over—twelve to nil. Then Clarkson sprinted over at the corner, no goal being kicked, however, from his try. Score—Thirteen to nil; and just on time. Cress well executed, with one hand, a brilliant interception of a Linwood pass, and went in close to the posts, leaving the Greens’ standing open-mouthed at his dexterity. Marshall easily converted, and the game ended with the College four goals and four tries (sixteen points) to the good. JUNIOR FLAG MATCHES. Christchurch Second v. Linwood Second, which was played at the North Park, resulted in favour of Christchurch by thirteen points (three goals and four tries) to one goal, placed by M'Lellan. Tries for Christchurch were obtained by Wilkinson Bros., Wigley, Smith and Broughton. Cambridge First defeated the Lyttelton Juniors by nine points to nil. The following scored: —M‘Kendry two, Gair two, T. Owen one. J. Owen and Shaw placed a goal each from tries. East Christchurch Second played Christ’s College on Saturday, on the latter’s gronnd, and won by nine points to nil. Izett two. Partridge, Cooper, Griffen and Hart scored tries for the winners, from one of which a goal wa3 ticked. For the College Grigg, Quill and Williams showed good form. Merivale Second beat Addington Second by three tries (three points) to nothing. Scrimshaw, Richards and Marriner scored. OTHER MATCHES. The match Christchurch v. Eangiora Second, played at Rangiora, resulted, after a very even game, in a win for Christchurch, by five . points to nil. Hallamore, Hewitt and Muter scored for winners. The Merivale Third won, by default, owing to Addington failing to turn up. . Merivale Fourth also. won, by default, the match arranged with Cook’s School. Christchurch Fourth v. Sydenham Fourth resulted in a win for the latter by three points to nil, tries being scored by Phillips, Maddren and Forrester. For Christchurch Prankish, D. Matson and Watson played well, while for Sydenham Harrison, Petrie and M’Gninness worked hard. Linwood Fourth v. Shamrock resulted in a win for the former by five points to four. Robbie, Cornwall and Carmichael secured'tries, and Duncan kicked a goal from a penalty kick for the winners, and Rainey scored a try and Hughes potted a goal for the Shamrock. The match between the Kaiapoi Second and the Sydenham Third teams, played at Kaiapoi, resulted in a win for the visitors by four points (a goal and a try) to nil. Phoenix (Addington) v. Excelsior was won by the former by three points to one. The match between Cambridge Second and Canterbury College Third resulted in a win for the former by seven points (one goal and five tries) to three points (one goal). For the winners White (3), Nixon and M’Parlane scored tries, one of which Nixon converted. Fergusson potted a-goal for the College. The Association Club held a practice on Saturday, sides being picked by Hall and Maude. The game was fast throughout, resulting in a win for HalPs team by the narrow majority of one goal. Johnson, a new member, showed to best advantage amongst the forwards, whilst Blatkstou and Hall were the pick amongst the backs. The match against Wellington has been arranged for June 20, and members willhave to show a little better condition if they wish to be again successful this year, as it is stated that the Wellington team, is in very good training, having matches -arranged tor every Saturday.

[Feb Pbbss Association/} WELLINGTON, Mat 30.

Wellington defeated Melrose this afternoon by six points (a goal and three tries) to three points (a potted goal). Poueke and Petone resulted in a draw, each sooting a try. The first round for the Senior Championship was finished to-day, the Wellington Club leading with three wins and one loss; The Athletics have lost two games and won two, while Melrose has been defeated in all the matches.