'VARSITY OUTCLASSED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 85, 16 May 1914, Page 10

'VARSITY OUTCLASSED.

• OLD BOYS WIN EASILY. Old Boys 26 University 0 The University senior team, formerly known as Canterbury College, had given promise of developing into a found combination. But it fell away from grace sadly this afternoon in the Oval at Lancaster Park. Not once during the game did the students seem really likely to score. In the second quarter—the game was played in four quarters of 20 minutes each —troubles fell thick and fast upon them, Old Boys scoring at the rate of a point a minute. Old Boys gave a much better display than they had given against Sydenham ' on the previous Saturday. Aided a little by the wind, 'Varsity attacked from the kick off. Mansell 'made a poor attempt to kick a penalty goal. Old Boys gradually pushed the maroons out, and attacked in turn. At ■^'' half -way Livingstone broke away and passed to M 'Leod, who punted over !the head of Bain, the Old Boys' fullback. But he punted a little too hard, the ball going over the goal line, and H. Taylor, reaching it first, forced down. E. Taylor assisted materially in putting 'Varsity on the defensive. But Old Boys were soon in their own twentyfive agaiu. However, the first quarter of the game did not produce any good *ootball. RAPID SCORING. Gradually Old Boys pushed the 'Varsity tnen back, at the beginning of the second quarter. From a scrum well in the 'Varsity twenty-five H. Taylor sent Ihe ball to.E. E. Crawshaw. on the " blind" side. The 'Varsity backs were watching the open side more than the " blind," and E. Taylor, to whom Crawshaw transferred the ball, scored an unconverted try in the corner. Immediately after Crawshaw kicked a goal from a neat maTk by H. Taylor. . Scores were coming quickly ; now. On 'Varsity's twenty-five line H. j Taylor got the ball from a loose scrum, } and went ahead. He swerved through | the centre of the maroon backs and scored near the posts. E. E. Crawshaw converted. Back came Old Boys with another rush. The ball went from H. Taylor to Boag to Down, who scored near one of the corner flags. The try was not converted. The next try was obtained by Boag. Taylor sent the

t "ball to E. E. Crawshaw, "who cut in neatly and passed the ball at the right moment to Boag. With a high kick ' and follow up, the whites swept down 'on the 'Varsity line again. A scrum, a {lash of passing, H. Taylor to Crawshaw to Boag, and Boag had scored again. Bain's attempt to convert missed. "When half-time came the score ,was:— Old Boys 20, University 0. SECOND HALF.

• The third quarter was pretty even, "but it produced very little good football, most of the play being scrambling. By the last quarter the wind had freshened to a gale. Old Boys had all the better of the play. But 'Varsity were playing a safety game, marking whenever possible, and they kept Old Boys from scoring for a long time. On 1 one occasion, however, a very bad pass by Down, the Old Boys' centre threequarter, robbed Guthrie of a fine chance to score. Presently, however, Down marked and E. E. Crawshaw sent the ,' ball between* the posts. Old Boys at- | tacked again, and, after they had penned the maroons in the latter's twenty-five for some minutes, a nice bout of passing finished in Guthrie scoring an unconverted try. The game finished immediately afterwards— Old Boys 26 University 0 Referee: Mr G. Matthews. MERIVALE EXTENDED. _ CHRISTCHURCH'S GOOD SHOWING. Merivale 12. Christchurch 3. The MerivaleChristchurch game, on Lancaster Park South, was a dreary spectacle, and there was but a mere handful of spectators, who got all that they deserved for not stopping by their firesides. Merivaie had no difficulty in winning, but Christchurch set them some pretty problems at times. Merivale kicked off into the teeth of a gale, and a long series of marks followed, both sides being inclined to take things as easily as possible. The blues *"" were working under a big handicap, but ' they managed to keep play for most of the" time, in the Christchurch half. Play was necessarily very scrappy, as none, of the players could keep their feet, and there were many Ijidicrous slides—much more amusing to the handful of spectators than.- to the players.' Atkinson, behind the Merivale scrum, was playing excellently, and set up many strong attacks, but the defence of the Christchurch backs was sound, and the ball never readied their line. The red pack was also playing solidly, Sapsford standing out as about the best of a good lot. They

made one or two promising rushes, and were ably aided by the backs, who used the wind well and kept the ball dose to Merivale's twenty-live. For some time it seemed as if Christchurch would draw first blood, but it was not to be. From a forward scramble in the reds' quarter, Hasell grabbed the ball up and set off strongly, for the line. Bowling several opponents over by sheer weight, he was collared on the line, but managed to fall over, scoring a good try. Ilasell took the kick himself. The angle was a most difficult one, and the wind was dead against him, but he made a good attempt, the ball passing just outside the post. Merivale 3, Christchurch nil.

The first change-over took place immediately afterwards, and, despite the fact that they were playing into the wind, the reds managed to keep the play almost entirely in Merivale territory. There was a series of scrums on the line and it seemed as if Christchurch would score at any moment. As much through good luck as good play, the blues managed to. keep them out, and towards the end of the spell succeeded in easing the pressure a little. They managed gradually to work play to the other end, chiefly by judicious kicking, and they lost no time in taking advantage of their opportunity. There was a bit of rough-and-tumble in front of the posts, and the ball rolled out to Atkinson, who snapped it up and made a fine opening, sending it to Evans, to Fuller, who notched an easy try. Hasell had again hard luck in not converting. Merivale 6, Christchurch nil. The rest of the spell was in- favour of the reds, who were playing a surprisingly good game, and they had really hard luck in not scoring. The first spell ended —Merivale 6, Christchurch nil.

SECOND SPELL. When play was resumed after halftime, Merivale set up a strong attack, and soon had their reward, Read scoring a try. Hasell failed to convert. Merivale 9, dhristchurch nil. For some lime after this Christchurch "had a good run," and play was almost continually in the blues' quarter. The red forwards especially were playing a very fine game. All their efforts were fruitless, however, and they could not score. Then Merivale broke away, back and forward, and charged right down, ,the field. Unlike their opponents,-they were able to take advantage of their opportunities, and again notched a try, Cade carrying the . ball over. Hasell's ] kick was a good one, but it did not add any points. Merivale 12, Christchurch nil. When the fourth quarter commenced, Christchurch set up a hot attack, and this time their efforts were rewarded by a certain measure of success. A desperate rush forced the ball over the line, and Burns and -Men7TOS~feH-on-it simultaneously. The try was not converted. Merivale 12, Christchurch 3. Towards the end of the game Merivale again as- j sumed the offensive, and during the last! few moments had Christchurch penned up within a few yards of their line. The whistle sounded, however, without any addition to the score, and the game ended— Merivale .... . • 12 Christchurch 3 Referee: Mr W. Woods. BATTLING IN THE MUD. LINWOOD LEAD SYDENHAM. Linwood 14 Sydenham 8 This game, which was played on the West Ground, provided a very uninteresting display of football. With the wind at their backs Linwood set up a strong forward attack, which ended in Sims scoring. The kick at goal fai led. Linwood 3, Sydenham 0. Another forward attack was repulsed by Doell's safe line kicking. Loose play followed in Sydenham's twenty-five. Haughey took a good mark, but Edmonds made an unsuccesful attempt at goal. The green forwards, who were deriving considerable advantage from the strong southerly wind, were continually keeping the cardinals on the defensive. From a scrum in front of Sydenham's goal the Linwood backs indulged in a passing bout, and although the ball was thrown about in a slovenly manner, Norrie managed to scramble over the line. Hobson failed to add the extra two points: Linwood 6, Sydenham 0. Ragged play ensued, but a mark by Caldwell broke the monotony. The green backs threw the leather wildly about, but only to give Sydenham an opening. The Linwood vanguard was too strong to penetrate. Give and take play followed, and the whistle sounded, with play in Sydenham's twenty-five, and the score: Linwood 6, Sydenham 0. SECOND SPELL. Sydenham, who now had the advantage of the wind, opened up with a vigorous attack, but fumbling the line lost them a certain score. From" Linwood's twenty-five the cardinal forwards indulged in a pretty piece of forward play, which ended in Bathurst scoring. From a difficult angle Doell made a fine attempt to add the major points, but the ball fell short: Linwood 6, Sydenham 3. Cummings, by fast following up, beat Doell badly for the ball, and scored well behind the posts. Hobson converted: Linwood 11, Sydenham 3. Off-side play in the green's .territory gave Sydenham a chance, but they failed to take the opportunity. Davies, who was waiting on the wing, followed up a good cross kick from Watson, and scored well out. Doell kicked a good goal. Linwood 11, Sydenham 8. Linwood livened up and had the cardinals busily defending. A brilliant run by M 'lntosh down the line ended in M'lntosh scoring: Linwood 14, Sydenham 8. The play was now of a very ragged nature, and soon after the whistle sounded without any addition to the scores, which ended: Linwood 14 Sydenham 8 Referee: C. Buchanan. A SCRAMBLING CONTEST. MARISTS JUST SHADE ALBION. Marists 6. Albion 5. A scrambling forward game eventuated in Hagley Park this afternoon, when the Marists notched their first win for the season. Their opponeuts were Albion. Both teams took the field with 13 men aside, while by mutual arrangement the game was decided in four periods of 15 minutes each. The greens' (Marists) superiority lay in their forwards, who gave a splendid exhibition. Owing to the non-appearance of several selected players on both sides, which necessitated* the impressing of several juniors, the match did not start until 3.35 p.m. Aided by a strong wind, Marists- v-;et up a strong attack, Dwyer being responsible j. / ood work. Henry saved an almost , crtain score by marking literally from the toes of the green forwards. Gray and Wilson, by judicious line-kicking, worked the ball to the

Marist twenty-five, but, the whistle sounding the change-over, the advantage was lost. Marists continued the pressure, A. Macdonald narrowly missing a score. A green passing rush looked dangerous, but a wild pass by Dwyer nullified the effort. Prom a penalty Mullins kicked a splendid goal from a difficult angle. Marists i 5, Albion nil.

The blacks rallied, Eyder taking the ball well up the field. From a mark Jordan had what looked like an easy chance at goal, but the player handling the ball, his kick was charged down and smothered. Albion I\pt up the attack, a forward rush by the blacks compelling Marists to force down. The green forwards were now playing a great game, Ryder, Gray, and Mehrtens being prominent in staving off their attack. Amodeo made a good run, an 1, kicking over the head of the Albion full-back, A. Smith raced over the line and touched down. The kick at goal was resultless. Marists 6, Albion nil. Some desultory play followed, a kick necessitating the retirement of Ryder. The blacks now, livened up, and the play became interesting. An Albion rush down the field culminated in Armstrong securing and diving over. Jordan made no mistake with the resulti?ig kick. Marists 6, Albion 5. When time was called the greens were attacking, the game ending: — Marists • • 6 Albion 5 Referee: ,3?fr M'lntosh. / JUNIOR GRADE. The match Old Boys v, Marists was won by Marists with a score of 10 to nil. The scorers for the winners were Sloan (1), Khouri (1), Khouri converting two. Referee: Mr F. J. Ennis. The match Albion v. 'Varsity was drawn with a score of 3 all. The match Christchurch v. Sydenham was won by Christchurch with a score of 11 to 6. The scorers for the winners were Robinson and Phillips. Be Maus converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. For the losers Thurlow and Thornton scored. Referee: Mr Hiddlestone.

The match Linwood v. North Canterbury was won by Linwood with a score of 17 to 3. The scorers for the winners were Haughey (2 tries) and Champ, Cusack, and Whitfield. Stirling converted one goal. For the losers Pearce kicked a penalty goal. Referee: Mr W. Duggan. The match Lyttelton v. Merivale, played at North Park to-day, resulted in a win to Lyttelton by 8 points to nil. The scorers for the winners were L. Serra and A. M'Gerty, T. Gellety converting a try. PRESIDENT'S GBADE. The match Merivale A. v. Belfast was won by Merivale with a score of 23 to nil. The scorers for the winners were Marriott, Wilcox, Whitfield, Jones, and Baillie (3). The match Boys' High School v. Christchurch was won by Boys' High School with a score of 38 to nil. The scorers for the winners were Parker (5), Guiney (4), and Barker. Sheppard, Tench, Nixon and Parker converted one each. Referee: Mr T. Bond. 'Varsity played Kaiapoi at Kaiapoi to-day, and won a closely contested match by 3 points to nil. The match, Albion v. Marists, was won by Marists, with a score of 9 to ml. The scorers for the winners were Meachen, Geary, and Sullivan. Referee: Mr L. Hardie. The match, Merivale B v. Linwood, was won by Linwood, with a score of 15 to 3. The scorers for the winners were Dawson (2), Sandford, Burson, and Williams, and for the losers Buckley. Referee: Mr E. Watkins. FOURTH GRADE. The match, Sydenham v. Linwood, was won by Sydenham by default. The match, Kaiapoi v. Albion, was won by the latter with a score of 6 to 3. Referee: Mr Schinitt.

Boys' High School beat Old Boys, on Christ's College ground, by 6 to 3. The scorers for School were Miln and Sparrow, while for Old Boys Oakley kicked a penalty goal. At Sumner to-day, Sumner defeated Merivale by 6 to 3. Tries were scored for Sumner by R. Senior and L, Vernal, and for Merivale by M. Brosnan. Referee: Mr R. Brittan. North Canterbury (8) beat Marists (0), at Rangiora. FIFTH GRADE. The bad weather caused the opening of the fifth grade competition to be postponed again. AUCKLAND FIXTURES. Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 16. The local sports competitions began to-day. The following are the results of the Rugby games:— City 8 beat Ponsonby 0. Marist Brothers 3 drew with University 3. College Rifles 8 drew with Parnell 8. DUNEDIN RESULTS. DFNKDIN, May 16. Rugby* results in the Dunedin competitions "were as follow: — Southern 14, Port 0. 'Varsity 8, Zingari ;">. ! Alhambra 3, Union 3. I Kaikorai 24, Dunedin 6. WELLINGTON MATCHES POSTPONED. WELLINGTON, May 16. Owing to wet and boisterous weather, all Rugby matches were postponed today.

FOOTBALL IN THE ROUGH. There are football grounds and football grounds in Christchurch. Some of them, in the North Park particularly, are almost nightmares. This afternoon a SUN representative watched one match where the ground was particularly lumpy. One three-quarter, making a fast run, skidded over the turf, just touching it in high places. , An ingenious captain of one side, just returned from the Springfield camp, worked out a plan for defeating his opponents. He devised a "general and special idea,'' and under cover of the undulating ground moved his scouts up into the firing line. Every now and then the rearguard would be lost to sight, and it was with difficulty that the referee, by~climbing on an eminence in the middle of the field, was enabled to catch the manoeuvres. Once the three-quarter lines left the forwards on one touch-line and essayed a desperate rearguard action in some rough country by the goal line. Suddenly the two opposing lines of for : wards came on the scene round a fold in the foothills near the goal. Charging down-hill, they disorganised the pickets and reserves of the defence and carried out a most successful flanking attack. It was sad football.