FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9762, 27 June 1892, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR MATCHES. Tho state of tho grounds on Saturday, rendered wet and slippery by the fall of rain in the morning, was altogether against good football, and the games on the whole proved rather uninteresting. At Lancaster Park, the match between Merivale and Canterbury College produced, at times, some very good back work on the part of Merivale, which eventually won by twentysix points to nil. On the other ground at the Park, the Linwood-Christchurch match was a better all-round display, the game being faster. Christchurch won by twelve points to five. At Sydenham, Kaiapoi defeated the local team by nine points to nil —a great drop from the previous Saturday’s score, when Kaiapoi put up thirty-two points against Sydenham, at Kaiapoi. The following table shows the results of the matches up to date:—

Details of Saturday's matches are as follow: MERIVALE v. CANTERBURY COLLEGE. Canterbury College kicked off, and a Merivale rush carried the play into the Maroons’ quarters, where "some nicely timed passing between White, Horner and Scrimshaw enabled the last-named to score, within a minute or two of the start of the game. The try was not enhanced. Ward carried the play to the centre, where Cow broke through and dribbled to the College twenty-five. White ran to the line, and then threw to Lang, who made a very successful pot. Following the kick-off, Creaswell ran to the Merivale twenty-five, but Haskins and Evans headed a rush well down the field. Crasswell and Hiorna returning to the centre, and Ivens and Morris carrying on the play well into the Merivale quarters. White and Scrimshaw relieved, and the former getting possession from a scrimmage, wriggled through the College hacks and scored. The try was not converted. The College forwards carried the play to the Merivale line, a bard kick resulting in a force; but a little later a Merivale rush beat down the opposition, and Johnson secured a try, which Garrard converted. The second spell opened with an attack on the Merivale line, the play finally being shifted by Garrard, Johnston and Lang, the rush ending in Johnston scoring. Cresswell ran to the centre, and Gibson, Lee, Ward and Jack assisting, Merivale was forced. Scrimshaw and Lang went to the centre, but a kick by Marshall drove Merivale back. For some time the College had the best of the play, but failed to penetrate the defence. A splendid piece of passing between Horner, White, Lang and Menziea enabled the last-named to score, and a few moments after the kick-out Menzles took a foot-pass meant for one of the College backs and again crossed the line. Neither try was converted. Cresswell and Hiorns worked to the Merivale twenty-five, Lang returning to mid-field. Then a Merivale rush was stopped just short of the College lino, Ward relieving by kicking well down the field, where White threw to Lang, who worked his way through the College ranks and scored between the posts. White converted. After, a spell of play at the centre, Evans dribbled to the College twenty-five, and another piece of passing between Horner, White and Lang gave Menzies another opportunity, which he did not neglect to take advantage of. The try at goal was a failure. The kiok-out was followed by Cresswell running to the centre and passing to Hiorns, who was brought down by Scrimshaw at the Merivale twenty-five just on the call of time. Merivale thus won by two goals sis tries (twenty-sis points) to nil, CHRISTCHURCH v. LINWOOD. The play opened very inauspiciously for the old Club, and for some time it looked as if the Linwood team would score an easy win. Twice the wearers of the Red and Black were forced. Gordon quickly got over, and a goal was placed. Then fortune favoured .the Reds, and Morton secured a try after two or three of hia comrades had failed to touch the slippery ball dead. No further score resulted from this, but immediately after a fine dribbling rush was ended by Hawkes touching down almost ‘ between the posts. A goal was recorded, and Linwood was soon at. work in . its opponents’ quarters. The attack was continued . for some time, and though Mendelson made one or two good efforts, the Reds did not seriously threaten their opponents’ stronghold. Gordon got over the Christchurch line, but the score was disallowed. Tho same pla;?er was within an ace of getting over a for minutes after when an unfortunate knoeb-on spoilt hia opportunity. The second spell opened with slow play, relieved now and again by smart dashes by the Linwood forwards, and some good passing by Hobbs and O’Brien. The Red men got into their opponents’ twenty-five, and a scrambling rush left Laurie on the ball over the Linwood line. The goal was successfully placed, and Christchurch continued to have the best of tho play for some considerable time. Glennie, Hobbs and Price, by neat passing, got the ball to the Christchurch twenty-five, and Linwood obtained a mark almost in front of goal. From this they did not derive any benefit. Some smart following up by Stapleton was almost too much for the Christchurch backs, but Turton came to tho rescue with a nice run, and put play in the Linwood twenty-five.. Here it practically remained until time was called, when the scores were Christchurch twelve points, Linwood five. KAIAPOI tt. SYDENHAM. The return match between these dabs was played on the old show grounds, Sydenham, on Saturday. The players treated the spectators to a fine exhibition of fast and open play, notwithstanding the ground and ball being somewhat slippery. The Sydenham team played with very good combination, and in the second spell had all the best of the game. About ten minutes past three, Reece kicked off with his side two men short. Shortly after tho commencement of the game Halliday came on to the ground. Uru was not long in sending the ball well into the local men’s twenty-five with a splendid kick. The Kaiapoi forwards worked the ball within a short distance of Sydenham’s line, but Forrester relieved with a kick out of touch. Bslch got a mark within range, but Uru’s kick at goal went wide. Hadley passed splendidly to Ealch from a scrimmage near the half-way flag, and that player made a fine run, but, being collared by Denham, passed to J. Bate, who scored. Balch took the kick, and landed a fine goal. By good forward play Sydenham worked the ball into the country team’s twenty-five, but Uru relieved by a long kick down the .field. H. Uru and Moir got the ball back to tho Cardinal and Blues’ twenty-five, and Boyce forced. After’ the kick-out the ball travelled up and down the field, neither side claiming any decided advantage until some good work by Ryan enabled the local men to press their opponents for a while. A scrimmage was formed in front of the Yellows’ goal, and Reece threw the hall to Denham, who was within an ace of scoring, Balch pushing him into touch-in-goal. The next noteworthy feature of the play was a long kick by W. Uru from the halfway_ flag, which resulted in Sydenham forcing. On resuming, some pretty passing between Moir, W. Uru and Balch took place, only to be cut short by off-side play on the part of one of the forwards. Ritchie and Thompson in turn threw the ball to Reece, who gained a deal of ground by his dodgy runs. Uru, with a long kick, again forced Sydenham, Waddell next started a dribbling rush, which was nipped in the bud by Bate,-who kicked well .down the field.

and Widdowson, fdloving no splendidly, scored near the corzier fi.ag. Uru took the kick, a poster resulting. Half-time was immediately called. It was soon apparent afiter the kick-off that the Cardinals were going to make things merry for their opponents, as the, ball was at once taken into the Yellows’; twenty-five. Sinoock and Duncan put ini some good work, and Reece bad hard luck ; in punting the ball over tho bar with afoot pass which wag meant for Denham.. Sydenham wag now playing with greati dash and determination, and Reece was! loudly applauded for a pretty ran throughi the Kaiapoi forwards. In the tight sedm- j mages the Kaiapoi menfairly shoved their ■ opponents down the ground, but the CaW dinals were not be denied, and equalised] matters by their fine dribbling rushes. Balohat last was given a pass, and he was not! stopped until within a few yards of the; line. Reese, Denham, Forrester and; Petrie brought the ball back, and centre play was the order for a time. Duncan emerged from a scrimmage with the ball; at hia toe, and got as far as the full-back,' but as he was unsupported, a splendid piece of play came to nothing. Some more, passing between Balch, Moir and the Urn brothers brought the ball dangerously near the home team’s line. Reese saved a score by giving Denham a neat foot pass. Denham, taking the ball splendidly, made a long run towards the Kaiapoi line. Bote was there, however, and with a grand kick, wbich be followed up smartly, prevented Petrie’s return, and a scrimmage took place near the Sydenham line, where Forrest got over. The kick at goal by Uru was fruitless. The Sydenham forwards, headed by Sincock, Ryan, Betts and Duncan, dribbled the ball well in to the Yellows’ twenty-five, and Hadley averted! a score by falling on tbe ball. Sydenham had now a long way the best of the game, but was unable to score, and Kaiapoi thus won by nine points to nil. The game was ! played in a very friendly spirit, and no mishap of any kind occurred to mar what was a very enjoyable game. Mr A. M. Labatt officiated as referee, and his decisions met with general approval. JUNIOR FLAG. Christchurch Second met and defeated Canterbury College by nine points (one goal and two tries) to three points (one penalty goal). The ground was rather greasy, which interfered with any_ passing, so the. game was principally carried on by the forwards. The first spell was evenly contested, but the second spell saw the College on the defence all the time. For Christchurch Hallamore, Marchknt and Papperill forward, and Wilkinson and Middleton back were beat; and Craddock,' Haast, Pemberton and Allison were the pick of the College team. The match between the Cambridge First Fifteen and Kaiapoi Second Fifteen was played on the ground of the latter on Saturday. The game was very alow and uninteresting, and Cambridge won by two’ tries to nil. Dardis, Ware, Greig, Morrison, Owens and Johnson played well forthe winners, while Hyland, Simpson and Lynskey showed up prominently for Kaiapoi. Lyttelton First and Merivale Second, met at Lyttelton, and to the surprise of everybody Lyttelton, with only eleven men, defeated Merivale by nine points to six. Merivale started, and made things, lively. Cook scoring two tries in quick succession. Lyttelton, however, with only four forwards, was not to be denied, and with the help of Page, Kelly, Anderson and Loader, took the ball down the ground, and by a smart piece of play. Loader scored, and Berry, with, a good kick, con-, verted, making Lyttelton one point to the. good. In the second spell the game was made very fast, and Merivale, through the! agency of Cook, again scored, but no goal resulted. Then Lyttelton came, and after, a good bit of passing among the backs, Anderson scored, but no goal was kicked, The game now was particularly fast, bat Lyttelton was not to be denied, and Anderson again scored, leaving Lyttelton victors by nine points to six. East Christchurch Second Fifteen beat Christ’s College by nine points to five. Tries were gained for East Christchurch by Marshall, Dnnn and Griffin, from one; of which O’Neill placed a goal. Naldet scored for the College, and placed a goal. Griffin, Ebert, Marshall and Forbes played; well for East Christchurch, and Lingard and Nalder for the College. The Linwood Club forfeited its match with the North Canterbury Club on Saturday, making the third match that has fallen to the latter, through its opposing teams not being able to play. The! northerners on Saturday played a practice match.

PRESIDENT’S CUP. The match between the Third Fifteens of the Christchurch and East Christchurch Clubs went to the former by default. The Linwood Third Fifteen beat the, Lyttelton Second Fifteen by six points to nil. Moses (two tries) and Berry (one try) scored for the winners. The North Canterbury Second being unable to come to town, the Pirates First won by default. The match Lancaster v. Canterbury College Third was won by default by the former. Sydenham Third defeated Christ’s College Second by twenty-four points to nil. Southern, defeated Linwood Guild hy thirty-five to nil. The match Union v. New Brighton First was won by tbe former by five points to four. The best players for the winners were French and M'Namara, and for the losers Foster (2) and Patterson. A goal was placed by French for the winners. The match Albion v. Lancaster Second resulted in a win for the , Albion by ten points to nil, Collins and Hendy scored tries, Patterson converting the former’s try, Petrie kicked a penalty goal. For Lancaster, Robbie, Fraser and Saxton played well. A match was played at Kaiapoi on Saturday between the Durham First Fifteen and the Kaiapoi Juniors. The former won by six points to nil. The match Linwood Fourth v. Kaiapoi Third resulted in a win for Linwood by twenty-seven points to two. For the winners Carl scored three tries. East, Carmichael, Doban and Coombs one each. Brocket potted a goal. Moses placed two goals and Carmichael one. Bates scored the try for Kaiapoi. A match was . played on the Richmond Domain on Friday afternoon between teams from the Richmond and St Albans public schools. After a very pleasant game the boys from the Richmond school succeeded in lowering the colours of their opponents, the score being five points to nil. W. Boyce scored the try and H. Richardson placed a goal. For the winners E. Carpenter, G. Stoddart, C. Bell and W. Chaplain played well, as did F. Allan, Pyke and Bowbyea for the losers. [Pee Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, June 25. The first round of the senior matches for the football championship was completed yesterday, the positions being:—Poneke, 4 wins, no losses, 8 points; Melrose, 2 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, 5 points; Wellington, 1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses, 3 points; Petone, 1 win, 2 losses, 2 points; Athletics, 2 draws, 3 losses, 2 points. In their matches against Wellington, Athletics and Petone the Ponekes had not a single point scored against them, while they defeated their opponents by 10 to nil, 13 to nil, and 21 to nil respectively. HOKITIKA, June 25. The West Coast Rugby Union Cup matches, Hokitika firet and second against Greymouth first and second, were played at Cass square, this afternoon. The weather was showery, and the ground was very soft. Hokitika had the best of the game in both matches. The First Fifteen scored nine points (two tries and a goal) to Greymonth’s nil. The Second Fifteen scored six points (three tries) to Greymouth’s nil. DUNEDIN, June 26. The Alhambra Football Club’s First Fifteen sustained their first defeat for about three years at the hands of the. Kaikorai Club, who defeated them by eightpotted goals, to nothing.

S Soora in Club. fl o H i E Points. o h a £ o 5 For. Agsfc. East Christchurch 6i 7 5 i 66 7 Merirale ... ... ... 5* 7 5 1 i 93 27 Kalapoi ... 4 7 4 3 — 72 43 Canterbury College ... 3 7 3 1 — 77 109 Christchurch 3 7 2 3 2 58 63 Linwood « 7 i 5 I 37 48 Sydenham * 6 - 5 1 £8 124