Merivaie Beat Christchurch by 19 points to 9.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18467, 19 May 1928, Page 6

Merivaie Beat Christchurch by 19 points to 9.

OLD BOYS HOTLY PRESSED DEFEAT ALBION WITH ONE POINT TO SPARE.

MERIVALE and Christchurch met on the Oval at Lancaster Park to-day. The weather was fine and the turf was in good order. There was a large attendance of spectators. The game between Albion and Old Boys on the South Ground at the park also attracted a good deal of interest. Linwood and Technical met on the West ground. After being three-all at half-time, Merivaie put up a determined offensive in the second spell against Christchurch, and finally won by 19 points to 9. A spectacular try by Dorreen was a feature of the closing stages.

Merivaie gained a well-earned victory o\ r er Christchurch by 19 points to 9. The game was evenly contested in the first spell, play being confined mainly to the forwards. In the' second spell Merivaie had much the better of the play and were attacking for the greater part of the time. In the last twenty minutes they had Christchurch on the defence nearly the whole time. The surprise of the afternoon was the very close run that Albion gave Old Boys. It was generally expected that Old Boys would win comparatively easily, but they just scrambled home by a single point. Linwood easily accounted for Technical by 26 points to 3. POSITIONS OK THE TEAMS. The following are the positions of the senior A Rugby teams at the end of Saturday’s play:—

MERIVALE* V. CHRISTCHURCH. The teams were:— Merivaie—G. Rhodes, N. Dorreen, N. Brosnan, R. Norrie, C. Oliver, T. Davies W Oliver, O . Walker, G. Suckling. J- Kirkland, P. Serra, K. Kearney, W. Crofts, L. Maginness, O. May. Christchurch —H. L. Stephenson, B. Bibfcy, M, Meikle, R. Robilliard, B. Marshall, W. R. Teape. T. F. Mullan, J. Bell, E. V. Moore, A. I. Cottrell, H. B. Godfrey, A. G. Rogers, J. Manchester, A. J. Stiewart, B. Taylor. Christchurch kicked off with the sun in their eyes. There was little wind. The early stages of the game, which were confined mainly to forward play were evenly contested. Christchurch made one or two rushes but were unable to get through. Once Brosnan saved brilliantly for Merivaie picking the ball off the feet of a group of Christchurch forwards. Merivaie carried play to the Christchurch twentyfive. Here W. Oliver fumbled his pass.

Christchurch attacked but Norrie drove them back by good dribbling. A passing rush among the Christchurch backs failed to get far through Marshall giving a bad pass to Meikle. Christchurch attacked again but a free kick gave Merivaie relief. However it was not long before Christchurch returned to the attack. A long kick to the corner saw Rhodes, the Merivaie fullback in difficulties. A couple of Christchurch players rushed up and the ball was kicked

over the goal line, but Oliver saved for Merivaie by forcing just in time. Christchurch returned to the attack, J. Robilliard putting in a great run down the touch line. His pass infield went astray. Robilliard, however, ran infield, and, recovering the bail again, he passed out to Teape, who dived across the line for a great try. Cottrell failed to convert. Christchurch 3, Merivaie 0 After the drop out there were some hard forward struggles at midfield. Robilliard again attempted to dash through, but this time Norrie got him. Play was in Merivaie territory when Dorreen made an excellent rim. He went to half-way before he was stopped. Play swung to the other side of . the field, where Norrie put in good work, gaining ground for Merivaie. Christchurch attacked strongly, but C. Oliver saved brilliantly by gathering the ball in in the face of a strong rush, and finding touch. The game up to this stage had been evenly contested. It was a rather scrambling exhibition of football. Robilliard kicked for the corner, but W. Oliver fielded the ball well, and potted downfield to Mullan, who kicked for the centre. A passing rush was started by the Christchurch backs, but Bibby on the wing was well collared by Dorreen. The Christchurch forwards made a very determined rush. Play was carried right on to the Merivaie goal line, but here C. Oliver saved in really brilliant fashion by gathering the ball in and finding touch near the twenty-five. Merivaie forced play back to halfway. Here they were awarded a penalty and Norrie had a good but unsuccessful shot at goal. The distance wa6 just a bit too much for him. Merivaie attacked, but excellent play by the Christchurch forwards drove them back. Play was in Christchurch territory when the Red and Black backs staged a passing rush, the best of the match to date. The ball travelled out to Bibby, who, however, put his foot over the touchline when he looked like making a break for the open. Another Christchurch rush was pulled up by C. Oliver taking an excellent mark. Oliver was doing some great work on defence. Christchurch kept up the pressure. Rhodes saved twice for them by well-judged kicks. Christchurch attacked strongly, and fierce forward struggles on the goal-line followed. From a scrum near the goal-i-ne Christchurch hooked the ball, but the passing among their backs was very poor, and C. Oliver, intercepting, found touch at half-way with an excellent kick. Then Merivaie took a turn at attacking. A passing rush saw Dorreen away on the wing, but he was unable to get through, and a rally by the Christchurch forwards forced play bade. Good play by Robilliard set Christchurch attacking once more, but W. Oliver and G. Rhodes were equal to the occasion. Rhodes, the Merivaie full-back, retired hurt, and Brown replaced him. Merivaie attacked, and from a scrum inside the twenty-five W. Oliver set his backs going. The ball travelled right along the line to Norrie. who dashed over for a fine try, after a great passing rush. Brown to convert. Half-time was call-

ed immediately after with the scores:— Christchurch 3, Merivaie 3. Second SpelL Soon after the kick-off Christchurch tried a passing rush but Teape was collared in possession. Walker dribbled through and gained a lot of ground but the movement was poilt when Magmness got off side. The free kick gave Christchurch much-needed relief. Play settled at mid-field. Weak passing by

the Merivaie backs allowed Christchurch to gain ground. Mullan set the Christchurch backs going from a scrum but Meikle at centre was collared in possession in attempting to cut through. With dramatic suddenness, the scene of play was transferred to the other end of the field. C. Oliver made a brilliant run to the Christchurch twenty-five. He gave a judicious short punt for the goal line. Brown, who was following up fast, touched down for an excellent try. W. Oliver failed to convert. . Kearney retired injured. Overend came on again and played in the forwards. Brown moved to centre. Christchurch rushed play to the other end of the field, i Here Mullan secured possession and then passed to Robilliard who scored at the corner. Stephenson failed to convert. Christchurch 6, Merivaie 6. The crowd rose to their feet when, in a passing rush the ball travelled out to Robilliard. From about half way he put in an excellent run and outpacing the opposition scored at the corner. Stephenson again failed witn the shot at goal. Christchurch 9, Merivaie 6. Godfrey, one of the Christchurch forwards secured the ball and dashed through but he was well collared by Brosnan. Christchurch were having the better of the game at this stage, but presently the Merivaie forwards rallied and drove them back. There was a fierce forward struggle at the half way -and one of the Merivaie forwards was warned by the referee. The Merivaie forwards set up several strong rushes, their play in the loose being very good. A rush by the Merivaie forwards saw the ball go out near the Christchurch goal line. 'From the subsequent line out. the ball went back to Brosnan who had- a fruitless shot at goal from right in front. Marshall, one of the Christchurch fiveeighths returned hurt and Mardon replaced him. Merivaie were now going in great style. They attacked persistently. Once Norrie on the wing was nearly over. Play swung to the other wing and a magnificent passing rush ended in Dorreen scoring a great try. Brown converted with a fine kiclf from a difficult angle putting Merivaie in the lead. Merival 11, Christchurch 9. After this try Christchurch attacked but their efforts ended in a force, Brosnan touching down for Merivaie. Merivaie returned to the attack and play was carried to mid-field. Here Doreen seemed possession and, beating Meikle badly, dashed through and ran behind the posts for a spectacular try. Brown had no difficulty in converting. Merivaie 16, Christchurch 9. Merivaie were having the bettci of the game and

the Christchurch defence seemed to be disorganised. The Merivaie backs started another passing rush. Davies put in a fine run and then passed to C. Oliver, who outpaced the opposition and scored. Brown failed to convert. Merivaie 19, Christchurch 9. Merivaie continued to press hotly and several times they came near scoring. Once Walter charged down a kick by Stevenson from the goal-line,* but he was just beaten for the touch down. The game ended immediately after with the scores:— MERIVALE 19 CHRISTCHURCH 9 Referee: Mr E. A. Empson.

ALBION V. OLD BOYS. Old Boys and Albion met on the South ground, the teams lining out as follows.:— Old Boys (white)—J. Harris, W. Merritt, Hastie, J. Trist, C. Armstrong, D Hay, G. Cox; J. Low, S. Baird, E. Bowes C. Speight, N. Corsbie, I. Smith. F Clark, E. Turgis. Albion (black): C. Worsley, G. Mortlock, M. Eaglesome, K. Smith, M. Lilburne, T. Preston, T. Hodgkinson, J. O’Connor, O. Jaggers, J. Middleton, N. Wylie, R. Calder, A. Fletcher, S. Pola,schek, D. Finnegan. Albion kicked off, and charging down the return, bad Obi Boys defending, but a force relieved. flie Albion forwards kept the pressure up, and Old Boys were again forced vei»y shortly after. Albion were awarded a free kick near midfield, and Smith with a great kick put it over from a long way out. Albion 3, Old

Boys nil. Some scrappj' lslay followed, but eventually Lilburne secured and made a tricky run. Harris made no mistake with his tackle. The Old Boys backs staged an orthodox passing rush, which stopped at Trist, the wing. Cox came up and- picked up brilliantly, but when right on the line, his pass was touch well down. Albion kept hammer-

Ing away, O’Connor picked up close to the twenty-five to send o» to Mortlock, who made a fine run and bumped over, wide out. The kick at goal failed. Albion 6, Old Boys nil. Merritt fielded a ball nicely, and running into midfield, passed to Cox, who made a beautiful run, and handed to Baird, who sent Low across for a splendid try. Merritt converted making the scores, Albion 6, Old Boys 5. Immediately after, Cox made another fine run, but his pass was not accepted and a good chance was lost. Half-time was called with the score:— Albion 6, Old Boys 5. The second spell opened with a wild interchange of kicks, but the Old Boys forwards made a fine rush which Worsley stopped by going down to it. Merritt had a shot at goal from a free kick, but his kick was outside the posts. The Albion backs started a passing rush which broke down at the five-eighths, but Eaglesome and Finnegan dribbled on, and in a race for the ball Mortlock dived for a try. Smith

made a great attempt to goal, but just failed. Albion 9, Old Boys 5. Old Boys staged a hot offensive, and were awarded a kick in -a good position, but nothing was made of it, and Albion forced. The play improved somewhat at this stage, and from a scrum Hay cut .in and was stopped just on the line. Shortly after, Old Boys were awarded a penalty in a good position, but Merritt’s Kick was just outside. Old Boys were making strenuous endeavours to open up the game, but most of their passing rushes were breaking down at the five-eighths. Hay secured and made a , J le -r run ’ P assin e to a forward who, with Low In attendance, hung on too long. Old Boys kept up the attack and pressed Albion. The latter’s backs mishandled badly and Armstrong picked up to score near the posts. Merritt converted. Old Boys 10, Albion 9. Lilburne, Albion first five-eighths, made a penetrating run, but with four backs in attendance he threw out a wild pass, and a great chance went astray. Both sides were now playing with a will and the crowd became wildly excited. The play was very even in the closing stages, but Old Boys were attacking most of the time. The final score was: OLD BOYS 10 ALBION 9 Referee: Mr F.‘Sinclair. TECHNICAL V. LINWOOD. Linwood met Technical on the west ground, a straggling game being wholly in favour of Linwood. Liwwood kicked off against t,h© sun, and attacked immediately, the big forwards sweeping through a weak defence. Technical forced twice. One© Morris dived just in time to stop White. The Linwood- backs were being smothered, tut Smart obtained, running straight through to score a good try. Edmonds missed. Linwood 3, Technical 0. Payne cut through, but Price dropped a pass when he had a clear run in under the posts. Linwood were having things all their own way, and Harley scored. Turpin failed to convert. Linjwood 6, Technical 0. The Linwood forwards were off again and, Bamford mishandling badly, Nelson fell on the ball for a try under the posts. Turpin missed with the kick. Technical took a turn at attack. A forward rush saw a bunch of players going over in a heap. Welch scored. Geayley failed to convert. Linwood returned play and weak tackling ldt Payne and JSntwhistle over for tries, the second of which Turpin converted. Linwood 17, Technical 3. Payne- made a good run, enabling .Price to score at the corner. Edmonds missed. Half-time then sounded. Linwood Technical 3. Play in th, scond spell was listless and ragged. Linwood were taking things easily and Technical were not capable of assuming any superiority. The forwards staged occasional rushes, and Technical invaded Linwood’s territory for five minutes, but without result. Both full-backs were injured, and Bamford retired. Price went over under the posts, but was called back for an infringement. The ball travelled through the backs for Harley to score. Edmonds missed. Turpin made a good run to score under the posts. The kick failed. Final score: — LINWOOD 26 TECHNICAL 3

P. W. la. D. F. A. Pts. Varsity 4 4 0 0 71 40 4 Old Boys 4 3 0 1 JO 39 31 Merivale ....5 3 2 0 117 67 3 Unwood .... 4 2 2 0 66 28 2 Christchurch 4 1 2 i co * Albion 4 1 3 0 38 o2 1 Technical -.5 0 5 0 40 148 0