Canterbury Notes.

NZ Truth, Issue 161, 18 July 1908, Page 3

Canterbury Notes.

Albion's appropriation of the Canterbury championship was placed beyond doubt on Saturday, when Merivale < sustained defeat by 6 potints to 3 . The Blue and Whites. ' as anticipated by ,this iournal, played their best match this season, and led right up to the finish, when Al-.. hion snatched a victory by notching twov tries m succession. Had Fuller, South 'Island rep., recovered from his injuries his presence' m the three-quarter line^ might have won Merivale the game,; The' losers' forwards played a fine game, but -vyere run to a standstill and the trifle better form of Ainions won the - match,. A miracle, involving Albions' defeat by the three weakest teams m the champion-r ship, might put the Blacks out of "it. On his last two matches, Henry, Albion full, is- a. better j. man m * the position *than Doell, .'South Island rep. and select- < od agalinst Wairarapa. Shanks and Boad.are two Mefivale play-? -ers who had hard luck not to get into .-the-: rep. -team; against .Wairarapa. One of the reasons '■ why Ohristchurchwent to blazes this season was: -*he repeated defpetioa of Bob Deans. A man -vvho absents himself m club' fixtures 'with such enthusiasm ought to he overlooked fin rep. matches. '' ~ .'

Canterbury's team against .Wairarapa is the same as defeated England anil ' Wales, excepting that Weston takes ' MciJonaidls place at five-eighth (a. good alteration, preserving the Albion^ chain), and Thompson takes the place of Bond (a doubtful change). Tackling seems to be Canterbury's weakness-nthat and the forward divisSon, But if the hacks get. going it's all over, bar . shouting.