SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11620, 7 May 1906, Page 2

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

The first round of the Championship fixtnres was commenced on Saturday afternoon, when the weather was perfect, and the ground at the Park in splendid order. The attendance of spectators was not large, but those who witnessed the Senior fixture, Albion v. Nelson, were, considering that it was tho first match of the season, treated to a very fair exhibition of football. As the result showed, Nelson twenty points Albion nil, last year's champions scored an easy win, due to the superiority of the forwards, and the combination of tbe backs. The Albion team consisted chiefly of last year's juniors, and although individually they acquitted themselves creditably, they did not appear as well trained as tbeir opponents, and lacked combination. The Nelson forwards were a fast, heavylot, and were generally successful in obtaining the ball from the scrum. Once among the backs, tbe ball travelled from pla er to player, at

' gW"»***»M*'M*i»*M«*«*-*+MI II 111 HI I times passing through four or five pairs of hands. The passing was good, but there is ample room for improvement in this direction, which will, no doubt, be attained ■with practice. Several spasmodic rushes by tbe Albions made them look dangerous on occasions, and once the' ball was taken right ovor the -line, but an infringement in goal nullified what looked like an almost certain score. Tho Albions were, for the most part, on the defensive, and over- eagerness on the part of tbe Nelson players caused tbeir side to be penalised repeatedly when within a few yards of their opponents' line. Tries were scored by Smith (3), Cornes, McCabe and Christie, only ono heing converted — Henry placing an easy goal from under the bar. The other attempts, With the exception of a good effort ■bV Todd, were miserable, find it good plade-kick will be a decided acquisition to the team. Turning to individual players, on the Nelson side Hamilton at full back, although a trifle uncertain, did nofc make any mistakes, and found the lino well. He was never called upon to show any defence. Christie on the left, and Smith centre, were the best of the threequarters, the latter running ani kicking well ; the former showed a fine turn of speed, and made sevoral good runs. Todd was not altogether a success on the other wing. Chisholm, who last year played for Canterbury College, as five-eighths, and Murray behind the scrum, bcth did useful work, passing out well, the former on one occasion making a particularly good run before transferring to Smith, who scored. Of the forwards, Cornes, McCulloch ancl McCabe were most prominent. For the Albions, T. Hargreaves, at full back, kicked well, and played a good defensive game. Of the threequarers, H. Pike was the best. S. Pike, at five-eighths, was the best of tbe backs, kicking well, and generally playing a good defensive game. Baker, at half, also played well until compelled to retire with an injured shoulder. In this respect, the Albions were unfortunate, losing C. Hargreaves and Baker in the second spell. Kinzett, Whiting „ and Johaansen were the best of the forwards. Mr Batchelor gave complete satisfaction as referee, and Messrs Cannington and Chisholm carried out the duties of touch-line judges. The Junior Cup match, Rival v. Waimea, was played on the eastern ground at the Park, and after a fast game, was won by the former by six points to nil. Tries were scored by Bennett and Chapman. Mr Glover gave satisfaction as referee. At Richmond, the Second Junior Championship match, Waimea v. Albion, ended, after a well-contested game, in a win for the former by six points (two tries) to five (a goal and a try). For the losers Nesbitt scored a try, which was converted ; by Pike. Mr Oldershaw refereed to the satisfaction of both sides. j