MERIVALE v. ALBION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5862, 3 May 1897, Page 1

MERIVALE v. ALBION.

This game was played at Lancaster Park, and was won easily by the elder club by sixteen points to nil. With the wind against them the Merivale forwards commenced an attack at once, and ' Johnstone, following up fast, scored, the first try, but , Duggan did not improve the points. The Albion were kept busily defending nearly the whole of the spell, and only twice was the play taken past the centre flag by kicks of tho Albion backs. Webber made a neat dodgy run, and passing to Brooker, the last-named scored, and Dnggan placed a goal. Tho younger club played up better in the second half, and some excellent kicking by Butler, Berry and Burson placed the, Merivale on the defensive, but some first-rate work by the Merivale forwards relieved their side, and Menzies made a dashing run and scored under the posts, Johnstone kicking the goal. On resuming, the play was chiefly in the Albion quarters, and Johnstone, by good backing-tip, scored his second try. Duggan failed to improve, and after an interchange of kicks by the backs, in which the Albion came off best, Mr J. IT. Collins, the referee, whistled for "no side." Final result: Merivale, two goals and two tries (sixteen points) ; Albion -nil.