MERIVALE v. ALHAMBRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 50

MERIVALE v. ALHAMBRA.

Immediately the ground was vacated by the Union and Linwood men it was occupied by the Alhambra, and a minute later the Merivale came out to meet their foes of old. Tho visitors were heartily cheered on making their appearance. The attendance of the public had increased considerably by the tome the game started, and the contest was followed with close attention. The teams were constituted af- under: —

Merivale. — Full back, Voyce, three-quarters — P. Menzies, C. Bush (captain), Brewer; fiveeighths—A. Forbes, D. Fraser ; half, W. Woods ; forwards — Chambers, Rodgcrs, Gill, Cooke, Drake, BeTry, Hasell, Blewett.

Alhambra. — Full back, Ross; three-quarters — Dacre, Bennet, G. Stephenson ; five eighths — Dey, Johnston , half, Knowles , forwards — Hobpou (cwptam), O'Brien, Given, Bond, Mitchell, M'Ewcn, Watson, Connell.

Merivale kiciced off, and Alhambra at once bet up an attack. M'Kewen haJ a kick at goal from the vicinity of the tw entyn\e flag without success, and the ball being rushed to the other side of the ground, Knowles secured a mark for the home team. This time Bennet. was entrusted with the effort, and bafely piloted the ball over the bar. It was a long kick at a difficult angle, and Bennet's success was greeted with well-deserved cheers. Merivale took the ball to the Reds' ground, but Bennet getting into possession, made a rattling run towards the Merivale line, and was within an ace of getting over. The visitors again took the ball into the Alhambr-a territory, and getting a free kick on the twenty-five line, Fraser e»payed to send the ball over the bar— an effort in which ho succeeded with an admirable kick, which was loudly cheered. Alhambra set up another attack, which Merivale repulsed with a good forward rush, and a score would certainly have resulted if Ross had not proved reliable. An Alhambra rush, with Watson prominent, caused play to once more centre m the visitors' ground, but Fraser kicked out well. Stephenson made a j^od ri-.n across the ground until he was stopped by several of the opposing forwards. Play remained in the Merivale ground, but a strong forward rush carried the ball into Alhambra territory, where Ross made a bad kick, and Menzies, picking up nicely, made a fine iuii, and scored near tho corner Fraser' s attempt at goal failed Score : Meriva^, 6 points; Alhambra, 4 point*. A couple of minutes later, from a mark in a good position, Fraser placed an unmistakable goal to Merivale's credit. Merhale, 10 points ; Alhambra, 3 points. At half-time (ho men on both sides were glad of the spell, the heat being considerable. Soon after the start of the second spell Johnston got possession in midfield, and passed to Bennet, who,, in turn, sent th©

leather on to Stephr>n«on. The la.t mentioned made a fine inn, beating the fullback., and ran in behind the po.-t . Bennet's kick at goal was =uccd_sful. Score: Merhale, 10 point*; Alhambra, 9 points Alhambra ngain a-'-umed the offensi-.c. and in some hot wmk Knowles and Stephen&on weie both stopped ju»t on the line. The severe prp— ure was at last relieved by a strong kick do.vn the field by Voyee. Stephcnson put m another dodgy run, gaming a lot of ground, and Dacro made a good inn tow aids the noith-past corner. From a scrum M'Kcwen made his wayo^er the line, oncl Bennet added the major points with a well-judged kick. Score: Menvale, 10 points ; Alhambra, 14 points. Merhale got the ball past (ho centre, where Stephenson picked up and ran. The forwards followed up well, and O'Brien got into posse«pion. Watson and Dacre were prominent in the subsequent play, which took the ball well up to the line, where Hobson got a hold of it and jumped over. Bennet did not fail with the kick. Score: Merivale, 10 points ; Alhambra, 19 points. Merivale got the ball, and, after seme exciting work, Menzies made a smart run and almost got o\cr, but Roos collared him in the nick of time. The visitors continued to press, and getting a free kick. Fraser had a shot at goal, which was smothered. For the remainder of the game play wr.l mostly in the Alhambra ground. Final score: — Alhambra 19 points Merivale .. 10 point* Mr R. D. Isaacs, as referee, ga\e satisfaction all round. The lino umpire, were Messrs F. Warburton (Merivale) and M. Higgins (Alhambra).