FOOTBALL IN CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1107, 19 May 1893, Page 27

FOOTBALL IN CANTERBURY.

(from ottr own correspondent.) Christchurch, May 15

Saturday was almost perfect for football. The warm weather and winds of the week dried up the grounds and made them in firstclass condition, and seldom has Lancaster Park been in such good order at this time of the year.

All the interest was centred in the East Christ-church and Merivale game, which was the talk amongst players all the week. Some 2000 people were present at the Park, and of this number, on -one occasion, I counted only 22 witnessing the other game.

East Christchurch were the decided favourites, and 2 to 1 was freely laid by the betting ones (and there are a good number) that the Yellows would win easily; and much more was wagered as regards how many points they would put up. However, once more the knowing ones were left—badly left—as, after one of the hardest fought games ever seen at the Park, the Merivale won by one try.

The chief features in the game were the inability of the East to score when in a splendid position—they had their opponents defending their goal-line for 30 minutes of the second spell—and the splendid defensive work shown by the Merivale backs, who, up till now, have never been considered anything but attacking players, but on Saturday they fairly excelled themselves in tackling.

The first spell was evenly contested, and each side lost chances of scoring, but the piece of work which resulted in Merivale's score was brilliantly executed. P. Menzies, by a smart run, got to the East's twenty-five flag, where he was tackled, and from the scrum the ball was transferred swiftly through Cook, White, and Lang, to J. Fraser, on the wing, who dodged over at the corner. The second half saw East with a decided advantage, as they kept Merivale defending, and only through their unwillingness to pass can the loss of the game be' attributed, as on no less than three occasions did Page, at centre three-quarter, reach Lawrence, the Merivale full-back, and Scrimshaw and Lee were waiting for the ball, which never came. The last quarter of an hour the East collapsed, but, with a lead, their opponents did not take any chances, and here, I think, their skipper made his only mistake, as some fine openings were lost by kicking into touch.

On the call of time the cheers of the spectators were heard on the Sydenham ground over a mile away. It was a most popular win, as the public dearly love to see a ' dry thing' go under, and it reminded me of the time when Linwood beat Merivale last year. Of the players, Lawrence, the Merivale fullback, a lately promoted junior, fairly excelled himself, and never made a mistake, and this was all the more pleasing as his previous displays had been none too reassuring. As a facetious ' barracker' remarked, 'He should be carpeted by his committee for "stiff" playing in the past.' The other backs were good, Cook, behind the scrum, deserving special mention. The forwards, the weakness of the team, were on their best behaviour, and to these must be given the credit of winning the game, and they are the first club team who have been able to cope with the East Christchurch in this department. Evans and Corsbie were very prominent. F. Hobbs, the East fullback, was not so good as usual, and when ' in a tight place' fumbled the ball—an unusual thing with him. Page worked hard, but his display was nothing like his previous ofl'orts, and he appeared to forget he had ' wings,' as he threw out no passes, consequently Lee and Scrimshaw were idle nearly all day. The forwards for- once met their match, and although they worked hard, did not show up UP prominently as usual. The Ebert brothers, Samuels, and Oorsbie appeared the best. Mr Cotterill, as referee, had a big job on hand, but got through his work with satisfaction to both sides.

The other games do not call, for much oomment. Linwood easily beat Christchurch and their play was much admired by the few spectators. The back play of the winners was brilliant, O'Brien, Hobbs, and the Price brothers playing together with fine combination, and the first-named had a field-clay, scoring no less than 21 points out of 26 secured by his club. Mendelson, played his usual good game, and as usual was not well supported behind. I was pleased to see popular Harry Frost once more leading the old club, his leg, which has been troubling him for some time past, having got all right again.

At the Show grounds Canterbury College-,, in an even game, just beat Sydenham by 1 goal to nothing. The College team appear to be improving, and an informant tells me their play reminds him somewhat of their style in 1890, when they made such a big bid for tho championship. Cresswell again played and was in good form and was well supported by Bannister and Ward behind, while Buchanan again showed excellent work at full-back. The forwards have improved beyond knowledge, Morris, in particular, being very good and is one of the best forwards we have here at present.

Sydenham afso played up remarkably well. Reese, as usual, playing one of his best games, and Young, as usual, at full-back, was all thep. Dardes Duncan appeared the best of the* forwards. a ..»■

Next Saturday Merivale and Linwood meet, and as both are unbeaten a good 'go ' should eventuate. Should Merivale play up to form, I predict a win for them by a small margin.

References are scarce here. Hence Mr J. Collins, who acted in the Canterbury CollegeSydenham match, and gave every satisfacrion, will be gladly welcomed by the clubs who have to secure the services of same gentleman willingly to control the game.

The grass, which has been allowed to grow at the Park, rendering the ground very slippery in the past, has been cut down, and the improvement was much appreciated by the players on Saturday.

Messrs Garrard, Leach, Cow, Matheson, and Haskins all ' rep ' forwards of the Merivale Club, and who played against East Christchurch last year in the final match, which.the Yellows won, were spectators on Saturday at Lancaster Park.

In one of the junior games on Saturday played out of Christchurch a team left the ground, with the exception of the skipper, owing to the referee giving a decision which did not meet with their approval. As the case is sure to come before the Union I will say no more at present.

When J. Fraser scored the try in the Merivale-East game the spectators, in their excitement, so pressed against the fence that it gave way and they went tumbling on to the running-track.

One of tho very best forwards playing the game here at present is Morris, of the Canterbury College team. He is very fast and an excellent dodger, besides having plenty of weight.

It is useless denying that a great deal of money is wagered on the various contests that take place here, especially amongst the seniors. I know for a fact that over £SO was wagered on the result of the Merivale-East game, and it is about time the Union took steps to put this evil down. What is the use of making rules unless players and delegates keep them.