FOOTBALL IN CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 31

FOOTBALL IN CANTERBURY.

(FROM OHR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Christchurch, May 7Saturday was a lovely day for football. It was the first fine day we have had for 20 days, and although the grounds were very wet, the bright sunshine almost made the players forget that, and the spectators too warmly applauded any good play.

East Christchurch had a really tight go with Canterbury College, It was thought that the 'Varsity team would be unable to make the cracks extend themselves, and very few spectators looked at the game ; however, it was noticeable that the reds were more than holding their own, and there was soon a crowd watching the game. I am afraid the yellows underestimated their opponents, as they played up much better the second half, and they finally won by 12 points, to nil. Their forwards were not on their best behaviour, and so the backs had more defensive work to do than usual, and not being used to it were not seen to advantage. I have often wondered where the team would be when their forwards are badly beaten. F. Hobbs played well at full, and Forbes and Spring as half were ail there, but Lee was not at lis best, while Page fumbled badly ut times, and Scrimshaw had little to do. The forwards in the first spell were not in their usual form, but warmed to their work later on, and McGuire, Ebert (3), and Crosbie were all.th.ere. The passing, or attempts, at;

passing, however, by the whole team, was very poor; there was a lack of decision and promptness, which is so necessary to make it effective. On the College side the backs showed what they have never shown before, viz., good defence ; Buchanan, at full, being excellent. Bannister, Ward, and Marshall were also good, and Bhowed some combination at times. The forwards showed surprising form, and frequently gave their opponents all they knew to beat them. Gray was verv prominent, and Alloo and Rutherford showed up well. The all-round good play of the College team was the chief topic after the match, and only goes to show what fine players some of the clubs have amongst their juniors if they only give them a chance. Considerably more than half the College team are last season's juniors.

The Christchurch-Merivale game was a particularly even'one, especially forward, but the backs of the winners—Merivale—were much superior, taken as a whole. I say taken as a whole because the Christchurch Club have Mendelson, who, on his form at present, has no equal as a back in Canterbury. He is simply invaluable to his team, and with all due respect to the other backs, I havo no hesitation in saying that the score would have been doubled but for Mendelson's splendid display. Li a good back passing team it is hard to say how good he would be.

J. Fraser, on the wing for Merivale, Bhowed a lot of improvement, and Lang and Cook were fairly in their element on the heavy going. White was not at his beet, and a severe knock early in the game did not tend to improve his play. The forwards showed up much better than usual, aud appear on tho improve, Evans being very prominent, also C. Menzies and Childs.

On the Christchurch side the backs were Mendelson, the rest, very second rate. Robinson, the amateur runner, who competed in the Championships iu Wellington, is fast and dodgy, but cannot take the ball with certainty. Smart played fairly, but was too selfish, and Appleby at full, has had insuffi. cient experience for a firec class fixture. Forward the old club seem to be improving, as they infused considerable more dash and go into their work. Humphreys is just getting into form, and Hallamore, Marchant, and Craig did some good work.

Sydenham went to Kaiapoi and got beaten by fourteen points to 5. lam told the chief cause of their defeat was the magnificent dis. play of Balch. An old footballer, who is a good judge, said he had hardly ever Been any one play such a game as Balch did on Saturday. His kicking and running were first class, and his defensive work was also of a high order. The Kaiapoi held a slight advantage forward, but had very little the beet of the game. Oram, lam told, showed up well. This player has only to keep in his present form to obtain a place in the 'reps ' this year. The Sydenham, with the infusion of the defunct Cambridge Club players, appear much stronger than was at first anticipated, and now the clubs are fast getting into working order some good' games should result. A special word of praise is due to Reese, the Sydenham back, who played one of his sterling games, likewise Young, at full back, was iu good form. .

The Christchurch Club are unfortunate in losing Frost, their skipper, and Laurie, through injuries which happened in the praotice matches, and Craddock has not yet made a start for the old club.

A lot of amusement was caused by nearly half the players in the ChristchurchvMerivale game ' performing ' with the wrong ball, which had been kicked over from the other match on the adjoining ground.

Next Saturday Merivale and East Christchurch try conclusions, and already the public are estimating the chances of each. I shall vote for the East Christchurch, feeling that their heavy forwards will outplay the clever backs of the blues.

Alloo, of the Otago University team, is now here, and plays for Canterbury College.

The favourites for the junior flag—North Canterbury—only just managed to scrape home by one point against their fellowcountrymen—the Kaiapoi.

Christchurch and Merivale visit Dunedin on May 24th to meet the Pirates anc Alhambra, these being annual fixtures.