EAST CHRISTCHURCH v. ALBION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5568, 18 May 1896, Page 1

EAST CHRISTCHURCH v. ALBION.

This game was . played at Lancaster Park under the supervision, of Mr. C. W. Garrard. East Christchurch had to fill tip their team with two or three substitutes, and Albion were forced to play part of the first spell without the services of Fraser, a wing forward, who retired with a sprained ankle. East* Christchurch attacked soon after the kick-off, but good forward work by Albion rushed the ball to mid-field, and a neat kick of Butler's placed the Yellows on the defensive, and a long shot by Patterson from a mark forced them. Butler's efforts were chiefly instrumental in confining play to East Christchurch ground, and presently Shaw potted a veiy neat goal for Albion ; four to nil. After this reverse the Yellows pulled themselves well together, and a nice, passing rush,; ; startedy£by; M'Kendryjr -and Veil carried on by Sykes, enabled the former to score. No goal resulted, and the scores, stood at four to three. East Christchurch again assumed the aggressive, and Fraser retired hurt. This disaster seemed to arouse the Albion men, as from then till half-time they had their opponents in difficulty. Soon after resuming, some fine play by M'Kendry, followed by a run of Sykes's, took play to the Albion line, and a penalty goal was kicked by Crosbie — four to six. Give and take play followed, until a beautiful passing rush of the Albion backs, in which Carr, Butler, Shaw and Bnrson all had' a hand, took the ball past the East twenty-five flag. Albion continued to attack until the close of the play, but were not successful .in scoring, although on occasions getting quite to the line. The game thus ended in favour of the Easterners by six to four.