FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9913, 30 July 1910, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

LOCAL MATCHES. CANTERBURY" III'GBY UN.! ON. SENIOR C H AMP f (')XSMJP. Merivalo, 3: Albion, 0. Cliristchurch, Ui; Liuwood, G. Old Boys, 2-1; Marist Brothers, 8. Sydenham, 17 ; Canterbury College, 0

Delightful weather favoured this afternoon's football, and the grounds were in very fair order. The principal. match in the Canterbury Rugby Union's Senior competition was that between the leading teams, Merivalo and Albion, played oil the east ground at Lancaster Park. This match was almost wholly responsible for the largest attendance of the season, the gate (takings amounting to £73 Bs. The number of spectators was estimated, at 3000. The. rivals for the championship played a fine game, making it fast and. open as long as they could maintain the pace thev set in the early stages. The ■ gamo was played in four spelis, and the only score was a try secured by Merivalo in the third spell. There was never anything between the teams, and the result was justified by the nature of the play. ' Merivalo has now a lead of half a point from Albion, and each team has two matches to play. Albion should have no difficulty in defeating Marist Brothers and Canterbury College, but Merivalo may be severely tested- by Sydenham, so that the championship contest is not yot over. The other matches' played at Lancaster Park to-dav attracted, little attention. Cliristchurch had a fairly easy win over Linwood, and Old Boys put up a large score against Marist Brothers. At the Show grounds, Sydenham were much too strong for Canterbury College. 1 . The following table shows the position of the teams engaged in the Senior competition:— ,

Points.

MERIVALE (3) v. ALBION (0). The leading teams in the Senior competition met on the East, ground, which was in good order, except that the frost had caused it to be a trifle heavy. It was a capital game all through, played in excellent spirit, and, al-. though the last quarter was slower than tho others, that was only because' the pace of tho earlier .spells had the players practically beaten. Play was soon taken to the Merivale qiiarters, but the passing, by the Albion backs broke down repeatedly in the threequarter line and; prevented a score. Free kicks and marks gave Merivale temporary relief, and then Mitchell charged down a kick of Read's and dashed up to the Albion goal line, being tackled' right on the edge of a score. _ Some kicking by the backs on both sides ended in favour of Albion, and then Shadbolt and Shanks headed a Merivale forward rush, which was stopped by Henry. From a scrummago Burns, Weston and Gray went right up the field with a posing rush, only to see Meadows fail, to take an easy pass. ' Scrums followed at the Merivale twenty-five. The game continued fast and exciting, each side bringing. its backs into operation, but the work of the Merivale rearguard was not so accurate as that of the Albion trio. From a penalty and mark, Weston, whose kicking was not so accurate as last week, had shots at goal without result, and then from a penalty kick within easy distance Mitchell for Merivale forced Albion. The . second spell saw Albion with a lot of chances, but ill-timed and inaccurate passing prevented a score. Play hoveredt about between tho Meriva le twenty-five and tho goal line, the forwards on booh sides being very evenly matched. A fine dasii by Mitchell and Maxwell took play out. of danger,- but Read put 1n a strong '.run along the touch-line, and Merivale had another busv time defending, Smith, then full-back, being- prominent for some excellent kicking._ The spell ended all in favour of Albion. The third spell saw Merivale open up brightly and the backs getting to work promptly, a strong attack was made on the Albion line, but, like Albion's effort previously, it was not carried to a_ successful issue, owing to the deadly tackling of the opposition. Play worked back .to mid-field, and from a scrummage Wood passed out quickly to CJeary, who dodged, beat Weston and passed to Mitchell. Running strongly with Fuller in attendance the threequarter outpaced Henry, the Albion full-back, and scored in an easy position. Geary failed' with the attempt at goal. ' Play continued fast and exciting, incident after incident crowding in the game; every attack was met by solid defence, and no further score resulted. The last quarter saw two tired teams who had practically played themselves to a standstill, and although there were innumerable chances for each side the players appeared to be unable to avail themselves of their opportunities. The final '.score was: Merivale one try (three points); Albion nil. Mr Charles Buchanan was referee. CHRISTCHURCH (16) v. LINWOOD ' . (6). ,

Christchurch and Linwood met on tho 'west ground. Linwood forwards took play to Christchurch * quarters, where, after loose play, Christchurch were penalised, and Dingle kicked a goal. A few minutes afterwards Christchurch were forced. A good passing rush was spoilt through Moore knocking on. Loader obtained possession, but as ho was crossing the line lost the ball and Christcliurai forced. Cook ■centred by a good kick, and Guiney found tho lino in Linwood's quarters. From the line-out, Guiney got possession and passed to Cook, who sent it back, Guiney scoring and converting the try. As the second spell ogened a passing rush by Christchurch backs, headed by Cook, had Linwood in difficulties, but Prosper saved. Fryer then obtained possession and transferred to Cook, who put in a fine run and scored. Guiney-.failed to convert. Tho Linwood forwards followed up..-fast, and play settled in 'Christchurch quarters, Loader eventually scoring. Greeks failed to convert. Play was at once taken to Linwood's goal-line, where, after a series of serums, tho. ball went out to Cook, after a fine passing rush, and he scored. G ninny's kick; was unsuccessful. Prom another passing rush, initiated by Denniston, Guiney scored, himself converting tho try. Christchurch won by sixteen points (two goals from tries and two tries) to six (a -try and a uenaltv goal). Mr J. T. "Weston was referee-.

OLD BOYS (24) v. MARJST BP.OTHEIIS (8).

After having all the best of the' firs spell, Maris Brothers were, rather bad 1 beaten by Old Boys. The Marist f< wards more than hold their own in t early stages, and niter a lot of scram ling play they broke av/av at the 0 Boys' twenty-firo and rushed tlio In to the line, O'Malloy scoring. V. .IV' honey kicked a goal. A mark at t. twenty-five again gave Mahoiiey an opportunity, and he kicked another goal; ! The Marist forwards continued to show \ to advantage in the looso, whilo i sound tackling prevented the opposing backs from getting away, but they ! could not do better than force Old Boys before half-time. , Old Boys opened, the second spell much more briskly, and the forwards obtaining possession at the Marist twenty-fmi yard 9 lino, Parson took a pass and ' rushed over the line, o. Bain kicking a goal. Maintaining the attack, the? Old Boys' forwards gave the backs a start, and a passing rusli ended in IX Guthrie scoring, but J. Bain's kick was nnsuccassful. A few minutes later, .

Bang took a pass nt the twenty-five r.r.-ci ran i '.uviugh the Marist try which «J. Bain, converted. The Marist -forwards rallied and reach- ;'(! i::; 1 Old Hovs' lino, bill; long. kick*s- - back, and another parsing ru-li gr.ve. fiimpson a try. C.Vavrsliaw kijke;! a goal. Aniodco made an opening, but was poorly supported, and I'iu;* .scion returned to the Marist twentv-livo, where Murray failed to stop .T. Guthrie 'and T. Bain, and the former wo rod. ('.'rawshaw's kick failing. A!most immediately Taylcr ran right through the Marist backs, and gave D. Guthrie a try, which was not converted. Time was -called, Old Boys winning by twenty-four points (three goals and thro: l tries) to eight points (a goal and a penalty goal). Mr H. F. Garrard was refree.

SYDENHAM (17) v. CANTERBURY COLLEGE (0).

.The playing area at the Show Grounds was in good order, and play throughout was fast and fairly interesting. College kicked of? and Hutchiugs returned with a weak kick. Play hovevod in Sydenham territory, good forward rushes by Harnett, Williams and Bridgeman keeping' the suburban team defending. A* passing rush by the College backs was spoilt by Bryan knocking on.' Fraser eventually gained possession ami kicked to the centre. Twyncham misfielded and Hutching,s snapped up the bail, scoring between the posts. Watson converted. Give-and-take. play followed, but the passing of the College Fac.ks was slow, and Love intercepted and passed to Fraser, who scored. The College forwards now became aggressive and Sydenham were ■kept busy defending. From a mark Bennett; made a good but ineffectual effort at goal, Sydenham forcing. Fraser and Hatchings returned play to College territory, but Bennett and Barnett returned with a good forward rush, Rhodes spoiling a chance by hard kicking. Sydenham opened the second spell by a series of passing rushes, but Rhodes and Norrie tackled strongly and staved off the attacks. Barnett and Ferguson shifted play to the Sydenham half, where Rhodes made a fine opening, but lost a capital chance by knocking on. Doeil kicked to the twenty-five. Mansell put in a strong run', but was unsupported, Hatchings clearing. Watson Following up fast secured possession and passed to Hutchings, who let Watson oyer at the posts. Fraser converted. T'rom this out Sydenham had all tho better of play, the forwards keeping Canterbury College busy., From loose play in the College tw<3nty-fivo Hutchings potted a neai goal. For the remainder of tho spol College were unable to malie headway Sydenham won by seventeen points (two goals from trios, one try and t potted "al) to nil. Mr H. C. Wilsor

AUCKLAND v. MAORIS

A mti FOE, THE NATIVES. j [l'ku Press Association.] ! AUCKLAND, July 30. I T.he Auckland representative team j is meeting tlio Maori touring team today in brilliant weather. j Soon after the start Auckland, who ; played with the sun in their faceo. attacked hotly, and from a scrum Morse got the hall out to Armstrong, who | rushed over the line. M'Gee failed to I convert. _ j Auckland three points, Maoris nil. Play hovered about midfield for some I timo, Auckland on .several occasions j

overrunning their opponents and placing the visitors in a tight corner. A ■'sound and versatile delence was exhibited !>y the Maoris, their rearguard getting through with soim> clover and

nippy 'play: Piki and Kaipara were conspicuous in taking play to Auckland's quarters, and twice dangerouslooking rushes were stopped by O'Leary. While A uckland were attacking, about the twenty-five yards' line, Morse got the ball from a scrum, and it passed through the hands of Stewart, Armstrong, M'Gee and M'Gregor, and then to IVJL'Keuzie, who dropped over the line. O'Leary failed to convert.

Auckland six points, Maoris nil. In. the succeeding play the Aucklanders continued to gain the advantage, and kept their opponents penned pretty well to their own territory. The second half was evenly contested, and when the .whistle went the Maoris were leading by eight points to-six. WELLINGTON MATCHES. [From Our Correspoxdf.xt.] WELLINGTON, July 30. The play in the championship matches at the Athletic Park this afternoon was very interesting. The ground was in (splendid order. Fully five thousand persons were present. Most interest was centred in the St James'-Poneke match, and a rattling good exhibition was given by both teams, but the game was spoilt to a certain extent by too much whistle. Poneke had all tihe> better of the play in the opening spell, hut owing to faulty handling by Prendeville, one' of the five-eighths, they were unable to pierce the defence. Directly th© second, lialf started St James attacked, and before Poneke players woke up, Wright scored a try for'them. For some considerable time the play oscillated up and down the field, but Poneke's turn came, for, when surrounded by opponents, Mitchinson potted one of the finest goals ever seen in Wellington. As time went on the St James players made repeated onslaughts 011 their opponents' goalline, but they were beaten back every time. Walsh then secured the ball, and passed to Regan, who in turn sent on to Mitchinson, the New Zealand centre three-quarter scoring. Walsh converted. In the closing ten minutes of the game St James tried hard, and, from a mark by Wighton, Crewes kicked a goal. The game ended in a win for Poneke bv nine points'to six. On- the adjoining ground, Oriental had 110 trouble in disposing of Athletic, the scores being:—Nineteen points to sin • Oriental are now leading for the championship, with Poneke _ and St James together, one point behind. MARLBOROUGH v. NELSON. [Per-Press Association.] BLENHEIM, Jujy 30. Marlborough beat Nelson by twentyfour points to six. DUNEDIN GAMES. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, July 30. All grounds were in good condition nd play was fast.. Dunedin beat Kaikorai by 14 points 3 3. ' Zingari beat University by 29 points ) 4. Alhambra and Southern drew, scorg 9 points each. Taieri beat Union by 11 points to l- .' ' ' J Port beat Pirates by 8 points to 5. Northern beat Mornington to-day in e Association match, and won the POTAGO NOTiflS. [FROM OTTII " Correspondent.] DUNEDjN,' July 30. The commercial travellers played eir annual match at Balclutha to,y, Southland beating stago by tliir--one points to three. Ridland, one of the Blacks who cently toured Australia, was last ght disqualified by tjie Southland nion till the end ci June, 1911. In to-day's Senior Rugby, Alhambra, ho have an unbeaten srecord: for the ason, just managed to make a draw ith Southern on the mil of time by oring a try. . A REMARKABLE GAME. EVERY MEMBER OF TEAM SCORES. [FRCXM Our COBRAS I-ondentt.] DUNEDIN, July 30. In a. school football game to-day, le Albany Street team beat Moray lace by seventy-four points to nil. he losers played two extra men, their 9am comprising seventeen members. Ivery member of the Albany Street fteen crossed the Moray Place team's me. , NORTHERN UNION GAME. BRITAIN v. NEW ZEALAND. heavFscoring. VISITORS WON, BY 52 TO 20 [Per Press Association.] - ' AUCKLAND, July 30. The match between the British team nd the New Zealand Northern Union epresentatives was played on the Donain Ground this afternoon. ' New Wihuid opened strongly, with the suniglit and the breeze behind them. Afer a short series of exchanges, Seager nade a fine opening, and New Zealand ttacked first, continuing oil the offenivo, until England forced. After a, pell of lively play betwen half-way and 10 English line, Batten opened up ileverly and set his whole team moving 11 a passing rush. Jenkins croasod the ine and grounded the ball, but was tailed back for a throw forward. Engand continued to attack, and evenlually Smith got posession and passed io Thomas, who let Leythem over at Jie corner. Lomas failed to goal. Snglaud; three points; New Zealand, lil. Tho local team rallied on resulting and a free-kick allowed Jackson x> register a beautiful goal. England, ;hree points; New Zealand, two. The loine forwards were holding their own, md the visitors were not displaying '.he brilliancy of last week. Eventually Britain was awarded a free-kick, and uomas kicked a goal. England, five xrints; New Zealand, two. New Zeaapd caused some excitement by set■ing up a lively attack, Buckland scorng. Asher failed to goal. England, Ive points: New Zealand, five. EnlOuraged, by this success. New Zealand igain attacked, and M'Donald scored, Zealand, ten points; England, ive. The game was very fast, and the mine team was in surprisingly good orm. Leythem got away, but Asher mught him from behind, and the ill a nee was lost. England kept up the ittack and Avery scored. Lomas conT erted. England, ten points; New Zealand, ten. The New- Zealand forvards were now holding their own, the wo:rk of Britain's lacks, and after both sides had. taken tart in exciting attacks. Seager scored. <TeAV Zealand, fifteen points; England, en. England attacked hotly, but the pell ended without further score. The second spell was in the nature of I picnic outing for the visitors, who an nt> their score to 52 points, while 'few Zealand added only another five loints. Y.M.C.A. A v. CHRISTCHURCH. The Young Men's Christian Association A team beat Christchurch this j tfteraoon in an interesting game on a nuddy ground, by five goals to one. N T icoll (2), Webb, Copp and Hettrick ! .cored for the winners, and Smith for j christchurch. j

Club. 1 t) o £ J rf fc3 M Q For. •ffi .9 ei to *< U A Merivale . 12 0 2 1 206 35 Albion . 12 9 3 0 103 58 9 Cliristoliuroh . 12 8 4 0 141 77 8 Old Boys . 11 6 4 1 86 6S 6i Linwood . 11 5 5 1 60 75 Bi Sydenham . 11 4 4 3 79 47 Marist Bros. . 11 1 10 0 23, 145 1* Cant. College . 12 1 .11 0 45 234 1