The Game in Christchurch.

NZ Truth, Issue 98, 4 May 1907, Page 3

The Game m Christchurch.

(By Forward.)

On Saturday the third siri3s of Championship matches were played m Christchuroh, the principal match being that between Christcburch and Old Boys, which resulted m a win for the former by 10 points to 5. The Old Boys had much the best of the game throughout, but failed to take advantage of their opportunities, which were many. Christohairch on the other hand, scored whenever opportunity offered. The game was hotly contested right to the finish', and full of /incident. Turtill, the Christchuroh full-back,' played a superb game, his line kicking being a feature of the game. Fryer, at fiveeighth, was also m great form. He played with his usual dash, and if he keeps his present form should stand a very good chance of selection m Hie "All Black", team for Australia. The other backs of the team were only middling, while the forwards did not show the dash that was.expected of them. For Old Boys Lawrence played a sterling game at fulltack, his line kicking extricating his side time and again. Deans played his. first game of the season, but being oii'tj of form, and being well •watched, he was not so prominent as usual, but his defence was sound. The younger Guthrie is a promising player who, I feel sure, would be seen to greater advantage nearer the scrum. His try was the outcome of a very tricky piece of play. Young Byrne has the makings of a really fine half back. The forwards all played up to expectations, their loose .being very good. Linwood suffered defeat by a large margin, Sydenham having things all their own way. It is difficult to imagine that- this is the same Linwood \ Club which a .few years ago carried all before them, winning the. Championship five times m succession. There is evidently a screw loose somewhere m the Club's management. Sydenham is a team comprised of young, willing players, but possessed of no head whatever. Albion had little difficulty m walking over Canterbury College to the tunj of 17 to nil. Poor old College turn out Saturday after Saturday, season after season, and take their gruel like sports. They seem m no way disheartened by their defeats. Albion does not impress one as being the same team as last season, and I dent think they will see OhamDionshin honors this year. So far as present form goes I pick Christcburch as winners, with Old Boys', or Albion "* second, Merivale fourth, Sydneham fifth, and Linwocd and Canterbury College fighting out for the wooden spoon. Christchurch seem determined to win first honors, as they have persuaded the following players to join them :— Turtill, late of the Albion Club ; Billy Black. ex-Rep, for -Southland, and a big factor m 'securing for Sydenham, two seasons ago, the Championstoip of Canterbury ; Woods, late ot Merivale : Corbett and MeCrade- -i ,en, 'late of Linwood. A nice mixture. I also hear on gocd authority that Duncan McCregor, of "All Black" fame, and Peter Harvey will also 1:e seen m the red and black ranks this season. A few years a^o some of the players who now battle for this Club were not considered class enough to mix with the ban'c clerks, etc., and were, therefore, not wanted. A change has come evidently. Honest toilers were tabooed, but this year anyone may join v;ho has a reputation from any other Club. Deans surprised everyone by coming m from ' the country with a hupe Liimh't-Qolored" moustache ; evl- ' dentlv there is pood soil where he is spending his weekdays.