MERIVALE v. EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5280, 10 June 1895, Page 4

MERIVALE v. EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

This game was played at Sydenham Park, which wns in capital order, and end^d in a draw, each side scoring a try. The Yellows were early placed on the defensive by some passing between Cook, White and Masoz?, and play was fora time in the East's twenty-five, until Mahar started a passing rush, Spring, Larimer and Burns taking the ball well. The last-named player ended a capital run by getting over the line, but Mr Collin9 (the referee) allowed a free kick to Merivale, owing to Lorimer obstructing the fullback. Soffe got away with the bakl, and play was again at the centre. Eventually Gerard dribbled i the ball to the East's goal-line, and' Johnstone scored by following up, the first spell ending soon afterwards. Favitt failed to return the kick at the start of the second spell, and a lot of scrummages took place under the Yallowa' goal, and they were forced several times in quick succession. Some good play by Riach, Rioh and Ebert relieved, and then a pretty passing rush by Mahar, Spring, Lorimer and Gully let the last-named clear away, and he scored, but Spring missed the easy. kick. With the scores equal, the Blues made a series of dashes at the Yellows' line, and Mason was | almost over from a pass by Johnstone, but the was well tackled by Gully. A dash by I Burns to the centre relieved the pressure, ! but Soffe, Gerard and M'Gnire, by a capital dribbling rush, took the ball back again to tho Yellows' twenty-five. Pavitt and Gully, by some clever kicking, helped their side out of difficulties; but White and Cook soon worked the play to its old place, and with Meriv*le still attacking " no Bide " was called.