FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9446, 22 June 1891, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The results of Saturday matches, to all appearances, leave only two Clubs in tho contest for the premiership, viz.. East Christchurch and Merivale. The defeat of Canterbury College by Merivalo to the extent of eight points to two, was quite unexpected. Linwood and Christchurch had a very evaa game, so far as the play was concerned, which ended in favour of the latter by nine points to five; while East Christchurch, after a rather unpleasant game with Sydenham, vton by seven points to two. The following tible.shows tho positions of the Clubs up 'to date :

The following are details of Bat.urday 5 s matches : CHRISTCHURCH v. LINWOOD. Christchurch won the toss, which placed Linwood, who started, with only fourteen, men, under the disadvantage of having to play in tbe face of the strong oun. After the kick-off there was a scrimmage or two in Lm'.vood 5 s quarters, a rush of Red forwards and Moir scored a try, which Turtou converted. Starting again, Wilson and Labatfc did some nice work, which carried the game into the Linwood twenty-five, where Laurie, getting the ball, ended a wcilesecuted run by scoring. Wilson converted, and thus, in the space of about five minutes, Christchurch had a credit balance of six points. Shortly after the resumption of play Wilson fell while running, and wrenched tho muscles of his left arm so badly that he retired. Ho came on tho field in the second spell, but was oniy a spectator. Up to this time Christchurch had had the boat of tho play, but the compulsory retirement of Wilson left a gap amongst the backs that told upon the play of the team for the remainder of tho game. Gordon, for Linwood, made a fine run to the Christchurch twenty-five, where a penalty kick was allowed the Greens, and Hobbs went very near placing a goal. Hawkea broke away and bowled over the Linwood full-bask, but, failing to pass, no advantage was gamed, and Linwood, sweeping down to tho Christchurch line, Gordon lost a certain score by throwing forward. Immediately after another grand chance was missed, when Price ran to the Christchurch f nil-buck and passed to. Hobbs, who knocked the ball forward over the goal line. In tho-second spell Linwood started with a Job of dash, and in the loose, open play that followed for some minutes had the best of it. Then Stokes and Hawkes dribbled to the Greens 5 twenty-five, a rush carried the play back to tha centre, and Hobbs, intercepting a pass, threw to Gordon when the latter was in a splendid ’ position. He failed to take it, and Scully headed a rush that put the Lmwood goal in danger. Pauli and Robbias dribbled back, and a Linwood rush ended right in front of the Christchurch goal, where a pretty and well-executed piece of passing between Gordon, Price and Hobbs enabled the lastnamed to score. He took the kick himself and converted. Following this, Gordon gave Hobbs a splendid pass, and the Linwood captain ran through the Christchurch hacks and scored a second try, which, however, Stapleton failed to convert. Christchurch after this had tho advantage for time, and the Linwood goal was frequently in danger. Finally Humphreys made a good run along the touch-line, and shaking off those who attempted to collar him, scored near the corner flag. Turtou converted with a magnificent kick. Linwood carried the play into the. Reds 5 quarters, but a rush transferred it to neutral ground.- An attempt by a Christchurch forward to pass from the line-out.was disastrous, as Hobbs intercepted, and rtmning straight down the ground without meeting with any opposition, scored between the posts! .He failed to convert the try, though within easy range, and the game ended in favour of Christchurch by three goals to a goal and two tries. MERIVALE v> CANTERBURY COLLEGE. This match attracted the attention of moat of the spectators who assembled at the North Park on Saturday, and it was pretty generally expected that tho winners would furnish the senior team for this year. The Merivalo men, slightly alarmed at the success of tho College over the formidable East Christchurch team, still expected that the result would be very close; the College supporters trusted to the forwards to hold their own, and were confident in the scoring ability of their tour good men behind tha scrimmage. To the majority the result came with something of a surprise; it was the Waterloo of the College team for 1891. Merivalo kicked off, and it was evident they intended to make the pace warm from tho outset. Tie fast following up of the forwards, among whom Joe Horner was conspicuous, slightly flurried the Beds, and they were forced twice within the first ten minutes. Then Garrard had a kick at goal, but tha ball went wide. Continuing the attack, George Homer and Lowry started a fine dribble, which was stopped by Cress well only just in time, and a scrimmage was formed just under the College bar. Cane, however, broke away with the ball at his foot, the Reds followed up fast, and play was shifted to the Blues 5 twenty-fives, and the College turn, for attacking came, Fine •passing between Cress well, Marshall and Craddock was only stopped by equally good defence. Baiche had a shot at gaol from a penalty kick, which-went close enough to convince most of the spectators that if was street ssful. A force-down only resulted. Then Lem another infringement of the rules the ball was placed for Marshall to try his hand. This time there was no mistake, and the crack threequarter, with that mathematical precision ior which he is fiinious, drove the ball straight-between the uprights. Two points ia favour of the College, and their supporters ware jubilant; but just before the call of time Evans fell-oyer the lino from a scrimmage near the'College bar. Hoar con--versed, and tha spell ended with Merivale three points. College two. ; -The second spell witnessed that brilliancy which the College had shown in their previous match, and occasionally in tho first half of this, fade away into the mildest flicker. The forwards were outplayed m the scrimmages and ia the open, CreaswellQ coolness and generalship, Marshall’s courage and brilliancy wore of no avail,- being rendered futile by the speed and dash of tha opposing team. From a loose rush Hoar potted a goal, placing Merivale four points ahead, and shortly afterwards George Horner, by fast following up, scored near the corner flag. The try was not converted, but just as darkness was settling down upon the scene Evans secured the ball, and travelling at a surprising pace down the line, got over. Through the gathering gloom Cress well was seen to intercept a pass, and come with a tremendous dash down the field; a splendid effort, but resultless. When tbe whistle sounded the scores were—Merivalo eight points. College two. EAST CHRISTCHURCH v. SYDENHAM These old opponents met at tbe old show grounds, and a splendid game resulted. Although the East won by seven points to two, wo think that Sydenham had somewhat the best of the game. They certainly had the worst of the luck. The unmannerly behaviour or a section of the onlookers who hooted and groaned at the referee all through tbe game and right up Colombo street to tbo belt on his way homo is quite unexcuseable, and exhibitions of fueling of this nature should not be tolerated for a moment. The play from the kick-off was very fast, the ball travelling up and down the field with lightning-like speed, and neither side

able to boast much. Palpable hand-ball by M'Guire led to the Baat 5 s first score, Forbes and Heyward touching-down together,- arid Quinn placing a goal. Then the centra of the- field sustained moat of 'the play, until some good combined play on . the part of :Sydenham let Reid off, and ho ran in. No goal waa kicked, aad the play raff along’very even, with a force or two hero and there, until just on half-timo, when Lee got over and Quinn again converting, the score was six to one against Sydenham. The opening incident m the second spell was a good pot shot by Petrie, which went very close and farced the Yellows. Then followed a series of brilliant dashes of the Sydenham forwards, which harassed the visitors very considerably, aad in one of these Donnelly appeared to get, a fair try, which was only registered as a force-down. Not to be denied, however, the Cardinals came again, and Gerard scored an undoubted try near the corner. Petrie made a good but ineffective effort to convert.—Six to two. Back again came the Suburbans ready, willing and determined, and tbe East had to strain every nerve and sinew to keep back tbe attack. Force-downs were plentiful enough, but nothing further. Then all of r sudden the East broke out of bondage, and like lightning tho ball went to the other end and over tho line, and a scramble amongst several of both sides who had followed up fast resulted ia M'Guire scoring. No goal was kicked. Scores—Seven to two. Forces at each end followed, and then East had tho advantage. This they could not hold, however, as the Sydenham forwards were playing a magnificent combined game, and time was called with play in front of the East goal. The players, in epita of tho fast play, and the feeling stirred up by the behaviour of a number of tho spectators, kept their tempers well, and a first-clsas game was fought oat in splendid spirit. JUNIOR FLAG. Canterbury College v. Lyttelton Juniors, —After a very pleasant game, this match resulted in a win for the College by four tries to one try. Immediately, after the kick-off. West secured tbe ball and scored near tho corner flag, but no goal resulted. The Juniors then came with a good rush, and, after a maul, scored a try. Soon after this Allison scored for the College, bub no goal was the result. In tho second spell. Garland, who played a fine game, and Cromie, scored for the College. Besides the above, Piteaitfaly, Bennetts, Ronalds and Page for Lyttelton, and Cookson, Cocks arid Gibson for the College, played well. Stewart,, of Lyttelton, had to retire through an injury to his shoulder. Cambridge First easily defeated Merivale .Second by sixteen points to nil. The game was very fast, nud devoid of any wrangling. Merivala went all to pieces after the first ten minutes of the game. Scrimshaw was watched too well to do anything. Neilson (two), Johnston (two), and M'Kendry scored. Owens potted a goal and placed four from tries. Besides the above, Shaw and Gveig (backs), Gair, Ware and C. Morrison played well for Cambridge; as did Horner, Richards and Ashby (backs), Vembertby, Defeu end Soper for Merivale. The North Canterbury Club defeated the Sydenham Second Fifteen at Eangiora on Saturday afternoon, by five points to nil. The game was pretty evenly contested up to within a quarter of an hour of time, when Anderson scored a try for the Blues, but the bail dropped wide of tbe goal. Almost immediately afterwards Barlow completed a splendid piece of dribbling with another try, but the kick at goal was again a failure. Directly after the ball was put in play again W. J. Moir made the most brilliant run seen on the ground this season, and dropped over the line between tbe goal posts. bad no difficulty in placing the ball over the bar. The match Christchurch Second v. Chriat 5 a College First was played on the College ground, and resulted in an easy win for the former by twelve points (one goal nine tries) to ml. The School played a plucky game, and made several good attempts to score, but the defence of Christchurch was too strong. W. Wilkinson (three), Craig (two), Rees, Broughton, Papprill and H, Wilkinson scored tries for the winners. East , Chbistchubch v. Addingt.on.— This match resulted,'after a very-- even game, in a win for East Christchurch by three points to two (a goal from a try scored by Marshall to a penalty goal). For the Easterns Whitley, Marshall; Roberta, Partridge and De Mans showed good form. For the Addington Thompson, Hepburn, Shackieton and Larcombe were most prominent. Linwood Second v. Kaiafoi. These teams mot on the ground of the latter on Saturday, when, after a hard-fought gams, Kaiapoi was declared the winner by five points (a goal and two tries) to one point (a try). G s Erien, Orchard aod Sutherland worked hard for Linwood, as also, did Evans, Price, Bowlker and M‘Gain. For Kaiapoi, Higgins, Hanna, Famham and their three three-quarters were moat prominent. Kaiapoi was completely lost without the service of Uru, find had the teams met on a dry ground there ia no doubt things would baveresulteddifferently. other matches. The Svcienham Third defeated Christchurch Third by fourteen points to nil. Tho scorers were Rowe, Robson (two tries each), Osborne, Brown, Thiel and Bastion (one try each). Forrester placed two goals and Rowe one goal. The Sydenham Fourth and Boys 5 High School match resulted in a win for Sydenham by seven points to three. For Sydenham, Skelton scored one try and M'Guinuess four, and Petrie placed a goal. For the School L. Yangioni scored a try, which T. Yangioni converted.

The match between the Christchurch and Linwood Fourth Fifteens resulted ia a win for tho former by seven points to four. Prankish and Watson scored for tha victors, while Stringer, Townaly aad Clarkson worked hard for the losers. Merivale Third beat Cambridge Second by one try to nothing. Tho try was scored by Parquhar. Tho Shamrock v. Albion match was won by the former by eleven points to six (three potted goals and two trice to two goals).

CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON. [Per Press Association, i WELLINGTON, June 20. Tha football match under Association rules between Canterbury and Wellington was played at Newtown Park this afternoon. Tho day was fine, and there was a fair attendance of the public, but nothing like what is seen at Rugby matches. The ground was very rough, and ail against a good display of the game, as it was found impossible to judge where the ball would bounce. Maude captained the visitors, and Johnston tho local team. Rees umpired for Wellington, and Harper for Christchurch, while Gibbs was chosen referee. From tho kick-off the visitors rushed the ball into the Wellington territory, bub the backs were equal to tho occasion, and gradually worked to the other end. After some neat passing by the left wing, the leather was rushed through theposts, bubagoal was notallowed on the ground of off-side play. Shortly after the kick-out by Canterbury, the Wellington forwards were again successful in getting past the full-back, and a goal resulted. Half-time was shortly after called, with tbe ball in mid-field. For the first half of the second spoil Wellington made a series of attacks oa their opponents 5 goal, but, in tha majority of these, lost tbe advantage through kicking too hard. Towards tho end of the game Canterbury made several good rushes, aad on more than one occasion were within an ace of scoring, but by sheer hard work the local backs relieved their side, and "No aide 55 was called without any further score. Wellington thus won by one goal to nil, The visitors were, enteitained .at a smokti, concert ti-night. ■ .......... DUNEDIN, June 21.'' Kaikorai beat, tho University .by sixteen uoiuts to nil , Dunedin beat the Pirates by two to one, Alhambra beat Zingari by seven to nil, aad Union beat Tsieri by three to nil. '

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