CHRISTCHURCH.

NZ Truth, Issue 474, 18 July 1914, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH.

Christchurch 9 f Merivale *6. Old Boys 6, Linwood 3. 'Varsity 6, Albion 6. Sydenham 12, M arista 11. The results of last Saturday's C.R. P.U. competitions were well worth writing home about. The games were all, exceptionally even, no team securing more than a three- point win. . CHRISTCHURCH v. MERIVALE. The boss match was between Christ- | church and Merivale. The latter team had until last .Saturday battled along evenly with Old Boys at the top of the premiership list and the downfall of their duckhouse before the Christchurch onslaught last week bumped 'em into second place on the list with Christchurch equally sharing the position. Notwithstanding that the big match of the day made a pronounced alteration m the footer position, the play was strenuous, nevertheless, and the flatr tenlng of on© or two pink ears was neither here nor there. The. vunguard. of Merivale easily outweighed the Christchurch forward division and kept the game chockf ul of ginger. But Christchurch men were the keener on opportunities which Merivale'a very pace overran. Before the game was a minute out on Us journey Christchurch hud realised it mark and A. H. Gulney notched 3 points. The Blues came with a rush and Hasell, taking a difllcult shot for goal failed to even up the scores. Atkinson wound up his backs and a piiHHlng rush lot Cade over at the corner. Hasoll failed to convert nnd both teams played level. Christchurch hammered the attack nnd Gulney's luck was out with a pot shot. Shortly after the breather, play wns hold up for a while, so that a Merivale forward whom; weight had overbalanced hl« discretion, could be lectured. / Christchurch kept up v gallant M r tack agulnat .superior weight and we.'c eventually rewarded by Burns Rettln« over from a line-out. Gulnoy's shot struck the crosw-bar and bounced buck, leaving the scores at Christchurch, 6 point*; Morivntc, 3 points. Hanoll landed ;i Unc goal for Mnricalo and onco more levelled the points. McCully almost scored from the kick-off. KvanH Just saving Merlvalo. The; next moment Warner cros«-klc):od and A. H. Oulncy ncorcd a line try, W. I*. Gulney fulled to convert and the scorcH showed throe points In the redK' favor when the final bell runsGulney. Robinson. Mchrlonn nnd Hanoll were a really luminous qunrtoltc. OLD BOYS v. LINWOOD. .... - Old Hoys wor« Huccctfaful m «cnfpliik n win out of theJr mulch with Llnwontl, by three point*. The game was rcmurkubly oven and

the headliners just managed to snick a victory on the call of time. The absence of Taylor from Old Boys' rear ranks produced an alarmingly weakening effect on the team. Linwood's forwards literally ran rings around Old Boys' vanguard. The "game waged through the first half without a score resulting. Play at the commencement of the second spell was dry hash until Hickmott, generalling a good passing , rush, let Guthrie over and drew blood. Crawshaw failed to convert. Linwood's forwards took matters m hand and Edmonds notched a trio and evened the scores. Just on time, Crawshaw, from a pen- j alty, rooted a beautiful goal and placed j the laurels on his team with three points m hand. \ Crawshaw played a brilliant game but felt the want of Taylor to serve |p the hot stuff. \The Cumniings' duo were on the spot m Linwood's. vanguard, with Edmonds seldom absent when tight corners threatened. Hickmott and Guthrie were anything but\dull. ; V 'VARSITY v. ALBION. 'Varsity and Albion divided honors evenly after an afternoon's tame play on a ground not unlike a watermelon patch m full bearing. The Collegians shoved a milk and watery%eam into, the field and under the circs, deserved to lose. Albion Were first to break the ice, Turner scoring near the corner shortly after plaj| had found its legs. The game was well into the second spell before 'Varsity thought worth while to attack and plane up the figures per McLeod, who went over near the corner. \ ' 'Varsity now played with, some dash but it was not long before Jordon booted a blitnWer goal and placed his team m the lead. Although 'Varsity continued, the attack, Albion's 'defence was adamant, and victory seemed theirs until a splendid passing rush by College allowed Colthart to score wide out and even up just on final bell. McLeod- and Colthart gave a tip-top showing for College, ■ but the team's shining light was glutton, of the forward division. - | ' . Lamberti and Jordan were .always handy for 'Albion, Gray, of the Black's rearguard, Vas. top-notch. SYDENHAM ' "W MARISTS. Sydenham and Maiitjts put up a close v game, one point separating the; teams, out of 23 scored. /Sydenham's win was lucky. . ..;;'; ..<>'„; ■• ; /'.v.V'V, ./ -; ; •■><.'■ Although T Sydenham ppene'd out with a vigorous'; attack on the/score board and ran their, tally up to 'six points before Marisjs 'got/a word, m, the latter came with, a rush before- half- time 1 and placed theniselv.tis. m. the ,le^d with; a majority -of-, two -points. .." '>.'■".' ■,*■-.:. . ' Towards the close of. the game the greens were leading and 'attacking' strongly.- '; . ; < ■■■ ."» ■.•. ' -■. —s -,\ /•' ■ '/ O'Shea dashed through and appeared to have scored' still more ; lqp, ; the greens, but afree>kicK . was-glven*Sy.d-enham Jind, their, scpre rose, by |three points Jiisj;; OßLjim.&i.Uv ,f ;> ■■*^T^sK :-•■ . The best, forward for S&arists was given^by; a iolt,. Smith. ■\^ ; , McDonald and Amodeo' / wene Jjellso. conspicuous. . .. :■' \ -..•••. ,' '■ V.Watson- and HutchingS played a, great game m Sydenham's 1 rear., division. Kennedy was just . about ; ihe pick of the forwards, -with Bathurst close behind.