EXCITING RUGBY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17569, 20 June 1925, Page 9

EXCITING RUGBY.

CHRISTCHURCH BEAT MERIVALE. The weather was beautifully fine for to-day's Rugby, and there was a large attendance at Lancaster Park, where the principal game was that between Merivale and Christchurch, on the Oval. When these two teams met earlier this season, Merivale won by 9 points to 5 after a strenuous struggle. To-day's match excited a great deal of interest, many followers of the game holding the opinion that Christchurch would be able to avenge the defeat of a few weeks ago. Old Boys and Varsity met on the south ground at Lancaster Park. The match between Linwood and North Canterbury was played at Rangiora.

The teams in the Oval game lined out, as follows: CHRISTCHURCH. Full-back-—D. A. Young. Three-quarters—A. C. O. Robilliard, It. O. Talbot, I. H. Brown. Five-eighths—YV. Finnegan, X. P. 3F Gregor. Halt-oack-rT. F. Mill Inn. Forwards—K. Foster. YV. Melvin, G. Leahy, H. B. Godfrev, C. L. Bacon, A. H. Frame, T. F. M. Gibson, G. Scrimshaw. MERIVALE. Full-back—,R. Hart. Three-quarters—J. M'Cabe, YV. Ford, X. Doryeen. I' ive-eighths—R.. Evans, C. Oliver. Hali-back—R. Hooper. g“!X 7 ’g f - Carnegio, A. Burns, J. Kirkland. Referee: Mr C. YV. Allard. Merivale won the toss and plaved with the sun at their baclys and thev were almost immediately awarded a free kick, which gained a lot of ground, and then another penalty about the twenty-five, enabled Hooper to have a shot at goal, but the ball fell under the bar. A line kick by Mullan transferred play to the Merivale twenty-five, where Brown had an unsuccessftil’shot from penalty. By- means of 'a cross kick Christchurch set up an attack, but l ord relieved with a long kick into touch from his own twenty-five. .\ passing rush by Merivale broke down, but M L abe booted through, passed the Christchurch full-back, and the ball went over the line, but M‘Gregor saved by kicking over the dead ball line. Play was of a scrambling nature at midfield for several minutes, but then a penalty against Christchurch placed Merivale on the attack. Y’oung saved by making a mark. A moment later a long kick by one of the Merivale forwards compelled Christchurch to force down. From a line-out near half-way, the Christchurch forwards sent the ba’.i out to their backs and Talbot at centre made a fine opening before passing to Brown, who beat two men, then outpaced two more and touched down in a handy position for a very fine try, which he converted himself. Christchurch 5. Merivale 0. Christchurch continued to keep the favourites on tho defensive, but their passung rushes were met by verv solid tackling. Scrimshaw earned applause for a brilliant solo dribbling effort to near the Merivale twenty-five. Here Christchurch were awarded a penalty and Brow n had a shot, which went a little wide. Merivale set up a hot attack, but Young saved with a brilliant mark right, on tho line. Merivato attempted passing rushes, but the inside hacks bung on to the ball too long, and were tackled in possession. Scrimshaw,, tho Christchurch wing forward, was playing a brilliant game, and another solo effort of his shifted ploy from the Christchurch twenty-five to Merivale’s •Y great dribbling rush by the Merivale forwards saw them get to within striking distance of the Christchurch line, where Brown saved splendidly bv finding touch near the twenty-five. Jn a Merivale passing rush the ball was handled and re-handled by Oliver, Ford and Dorreen, and Ford went across near tho corner, but was recalled for taking a pass offside. Play swung to Merivale a one], but Dorreen got in a line kick which Jo;:rvl touch ot halfvay. Iu a Christchurch passing rush the ball went out to Rohillianl, who, however, was pulled down near the line, and was penalised for hanging on to tho ball. An injury to Doreen caused a temporary stoppage of play, but be was able to resume. A great dribbling rush, iu ulnch Olivet and M’Cabe were conspicuous, carried play past the Christchurch fullback, and the ball wont over the line, hut M’Gregor beat iord for the final touch-down. Morir vale were attacking strongly when the half-time bell went, with the scores:— Christchurch 5, Merivale 0. Play in the hrst spell had been hard and keen, and it was evident from the lively opening in the second half that it was going to be a keen and willing go. Merivale early set up an attack, and, following a loose rush, Carnegie v. as pulled down near tho line. Christ-chur.-h were penalised outside the twent.v-five, and Dorreen attempted to pot, but the ball went wide, and Christchurch cleared. Play went up and down field quickly, but rushes by both sides broke down at critical moments. i igou on by their supporters, MeriTalo made strenuous efforts to score, ' but the Christchurch team, realising that their chance of gaining the championship was at stake, defended most resolutely. Ford obtained the ball at midfield and had a drop at goal which missed, anil Christchurch forced down. Christchurch were twice penalised in their own half, but Merivale could not make a great deal of use of these advantages. M’Cabe made a dash for the corner and then sent a long pass in-field to Ford, who, however, knocked the hall on, and u good chance was lost. A passing rush swung out to the opposite wing and Doncea made a determined (Josh for the corner, but was pulled down three yards from the lino. Merivale kept up the attack, and a rush across the field again ended in Oliver gathering in the ball and clashing across near the corner. Partridge missed the long shot. Christchurch 5, Merivale 3. Piny now became fast and willing. Christchurch attacked, but their passing rushes were checked by solid tackling 1 rum a. line-out Merivale were penalised and Talbot had a phot from just inside half way, the ball fnlJiug fthort. A Merivale passing rwli locked like ending iu a score, when M'Cabe a bqt he wgs recalled for taking his pass offside. Another Meri, i ale rush carried play to near the Christchurch line, but Talbot ran back and saved nicely. A scramble followed a line-cut, and the ball was kicked across the Christchurch line, a force-down resulting. Play becamo exceptionally hard and M’Gregor and Talbot suffered injuries. M’Gregor was able to continue Talbot went off with an injured arm. JSrown moved into centre and Cowlishaw camo on as wing-three-quarter Oliver broke nwny with Ford and M’C’abo iu attendance and only the full hack to pass. Ford however, was tackled from behind and the move-

ment was thus frustrated. A minute later a Merivale rush took the bull over the line, and Carnegie was just beaten in the touch-down. Exciting play followed in front of the Christchurch goal, but the Merivale inside backs were holding the ball a fractiou too long and losing golden opportunities. Christchurch were penalised near their line, and Hooper had a shot, but the ball scarcely rose and Christchurch were penalised again in midfield, but Mullan took the ball and found touch well down. A Christchurch passing rush saw the ball go out to C’owlishnw, who made a determined da«:i down tho lino before passing infield to Brown, who, however, knocked the ball on. Dorreen injured his log and went off. Christchurch kept up a persistent attack and, following a loose scramble, Melvin dashed across near the right hand corner. Brown's kick was not successful. Time was called shortly afterwards with play in Christchurch half. CHRISTCHURCH . . EIGHT MERIVALE .... THREE Referee, Mr C. W. Allard.