PIRATES v. CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 57

PIRATES v. CHRISTCHURCH.

The annual match between the Pirates and Christohureu teams was played at Carisbrook yesterday afternoon in the presence of a fair number of spectators. The weather •was all that could be desired, but the ground•was very heavy, and .the game was. in consequence', somewhat slow. The visitors had the best of the game for a few minutes at the commencement, but the Pirates soon got to work, and had . the upper liand luring nearly all the rest of t!y> game, eventuAlly winning -"by the substantial margin of 25 points to nil. The visitors were outclassed in every department, particularly in the second spell, when the Pirates were attacking D'knost incessantly. The Pirates won the 'toss and the Christchurch kicked ofF from the pavilion cua. Ihe visitors attacked for a few minutes at

the start, but- the home team soon cleared their line, a.nd in turn put their opponents on the defensive, play remaining at the Ohristohurcn end 1 for some time. The Pirates did not become really dangerous, however, but towards .half time they got a free kick in front of the Christchurch goal, between the twenty-five and half-way. Miller took the kick, and placed 1 a splendid goal. There was no further score before half-time, but on changing ends Ihe home team immediately beoame aggressive. Sislop got away nicely from a scrum near the Chris-teliurcli line, and, after putting in -a very good Tun, transferred to Stuart, who scored near the corner. Miller was entrusted with the kick at goal, but the ball went a little way outside the post. Th© Pirates continued to press their opponents, amd only «. few minutes had elapsed when Denniston placed another try to their credit, that player getting over at the corner. Eislop converted with a splendid kiok. The Christchurch then livened up, but their efforts were net sustained, and the Pirates were soon pressing again. From a good passing rush Wyimks scored in a fairly good position, but Miller made a poor attempt at goal. The kick-out brought no relief to the ClvrisLcimrcb, who soon had another try recorded against 'thorn. De Lautour got away from a scrum near midfield, and, assisted by weak tackling on the part of the Christchurch backs, he ran nearly to the visitors' li-ne, where he passed to Logan, who scored easily. Fenwick mads a good attempt to convert, but the ball went outside the posts. Another passing rush a few minutes later resulted in FairelougTi scaring .near the oorner, the kick at goal being very poor. The visitors then had a look in for -a few minutes, but the home team were not to be denied, aud after Nicobon liad missed a oartiin score by knocking on, Wyink3 secured another try near the prot, Hislop converting easily. There was no further score, and the game ended : Pirates ... 25 points Cliristchurch ... Nil.

The Pirates were fully entitled to their substantial win, as their disnla3 r was immeasurably superior to that given by the visitors. The local backs played well together, especially in the 6econd half, and their forwards beat their opponents badly. The Pirates were more successful in hooking the ball in -the scrum, but it was in the open that theii superiority was most marked. Their rushes were very effective, while their tackling and following up were at times brilliaoit. TLe Christchurch backs, on the other hand, gnve a. very poor display, their fielding, kicking, and tackling being pnythiajr but good. Some of their forwards played well individually, but the pack lacked the combination lecsssary to enable them to hold their own Miller, the Pirates' full back, played very well, his display being entirely free from mistakes. The other backs gave a good exhibition, Wyinks and Hislop being tho most conspicuous ; while the best of the forwards were Logan, Stuart, and Dennision. .The only back on the Christchurch side whose display rose above mediocrity was Martin, who put in a lot of serviceable work for his side. Of the forwards, Whitecombe, Wilson, and Bowling were tho most conspicuous. Mr W. Wilkinson controlled the game to the satisfaction of all.