Merritt Scores Two Tries And Kicks Fine Goal

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18780, 8 June 1929, Page 5

Merritt Scores Two Tries And Kicks Fine Goal

CHRISTCHURCH UNEXPECTEDLY BEATEN AGAIN; THIS TIME, 5-0, BY ALBION.

ON THE OVAL at Lancaster Park Old Boys defeated Varsity by 19 to 6. After an even first spell Old Boys led 3-nil, but showed marked superiority in the second half. Albion sprung a surprise by downing Christchurch. Their converted try was the only score of the match.

Ideal weather conditions and the prospect of a good game drew a bis attendance to Lancaster Park this afternoon, where Varsity and the unbeaten Old Boys fifteens met on the Oval. Alterations to both sides, due to the absence of prominent players, made the issue very open. The teams for the Oval match were: Old Boys (White)—J. Harris, W. 'Merritt, R.’ E. Hastie. J. Jacobs, M. L. Page, G. D. Innes, W. C. Dailey, F. Bowes, F. Clark, j. T. Burrows, S. Baird, C. M. Harris, F. Foley, G. Eh and N. Porterfield. Varsity (Maroon) —W. J. Scott, R. N. Williams, M. F. Calder, N. O. Alexander. J. L. Kerr, W. E. Alexander, W. Wikiriwhi, A. R. Smith, M. P. Bales, R. G. Drummond, A. V. Montgomery, C. 11. Perkins, M. Wells, J. Buckeridge and M. Langbein. Old Boys gained an initial advantage from a penalty, but forward play settled at mid-field, and a free kick to Varsit}” evened up matters. Dailey worked the blind side only for Merritt to be soundly taken by Williams. Another free kick to Varsity was nullified by a clever kick by Hastie. Old Boys were having the better of the opening

(Their first appearance this season).

like a flash for a clever try in the corner. Merritt converted with a great kick. Old Boys 8, Varsity 3. The Old Boys’ backs seeing plenty of the ball, but Scott was a rock on defence. There were many exchanges of punts, which found Old Boys on the whole the more accurate. At this stage Wikiriwki was injured and was replaced by Blazey. Burrows took a pass and smashed nearly to the line. A minute later Jacobs was thrown out just in time. Calder started a rush from his own line, «but Alexander took a pass off-side, and Merritt barely failed at goal. Old Boys were having all the better of the game, but their next back rush met solid tackling. Innes cut through in brilliant fashion a moment later, but Kerr secured from him and sent to W. Alexander, to Calder, the rush turning the tables. Page swung play back brilliantly with a penetratinge.rush, and in a flash Dailey snapped up and sent Merritt over for an easy try, which the scorer failed to convert. Old Boys 11, Varsity 3. The students never looked dangerous in the second half, mistakes robbing their game of any effect. Scott effected another good save. A Varsity back nearly let his side down by kicking back to Scott in a dangerous position, and doing it inaccurately. A penalty again saved Varsity. A try came to Old Boys through following up by Porterfield. He charged down Scott’s kick, the rebound going over the line, and scored simply, for Merritt to goal. Old Boys 16, Varsity 3. A pass to Jacobs saw the winger in-pass, and Innes was nearly over before being splendidly taken by Scott. Scott gave his backs a fine chance with a splendid run, but Calder was well taken, and a cut-in by W. Alexander let a Varsity forward over, but the pass he took was forward. Varsity stormed the line, but their nex* chance, in which Scott again figured, found them wanting. In a line-out the ball was flung right out to Innes, to Hastie, to Jacobs, who had an easy run in under the posts. The kick was missed by Hastie. Old Boys 19, Varsity 3. N. O. Alexander spoiled a ; fine run by hanging on too long, and his pass to the unmarked Scott was impassible. A second later Kerr went over from a. scramble for an unconverted try, and the game ended— ODD BOVS 19 VARSITY 6 Mr E. Empson was referee. ALBION V. CHRISTCHURCH.

stages, and pressed Varsity with a short passing movement started by Dailey. The whistle was frequently heard, and Merritt narrowly missed two shots at penalty goals. Old Boy* were pressed by W. Alexander, who found a gap with a good punt. An infringement gave Montgomery a shot at goal. lie missed by a fraction. The Old Boys forwards drove their way back to half-way, but when the backs got the ball Hastie was collared in possession. A long punt pressed Old Boys, and then an inexplicable free kick eased the pressure. Scott earned applause by good fielding and a fuie line-kick. The crowd laughed when Merritt was badly beaten for the ball by WilJiams: The inevitable free-kick saved Old Bovs, but a moment later one was awarded Varsity. Neither side could gain anything by orthodox rushes, but a well-judged kick by Merritt took play to the Varsity line. Here the students forced. Kicking saw Harris run up and put his backs into action, but W. Alexander secured and booted downfield, where a free-kick gave the students a good chance, of which no advantage was taken. Harris saved again with sure fielding and touch-finding. The Varsity backs were seeing a fair bit of the ball, but the rushes broke down at Kerr, who was ortt of position for his passes. Merritt missed at goal from another free-kick. Old Boys were using the short punt for

There was considerable interest In the appearance of JC’Gregor and Robilliard, who made their first appearances this season for Christchurch. Play opened evenly, both sides attacking- in turn. The Albion forwards worked play up to the twenty-five, where Hodgkinson received from a scrum. He passed to Finnegan, who j ran through a gap to pass to Calder, who scored. Lilburne converted, and Albion led, s—nil. A. Robilliard received a knock on his injured knee, and Foster replaced him. M’Aulifie made a great run fc-r Christchurch when he swerved through and back and sept to J. Robilliard. Albion were forced to carry back to save. The Albion forr wards, allowed far too much latitude m off-side play round the scrum, were bustling the Christchurch hacks. The latter made some dangerous rushes, but on one occasion with three men to spare

their main attack. The students, however, were equal in this respect, and came to the attack by means of a punt through by W. Alexander. Bad passing lost Varsity another chance, and an infringement spoiled a good forward onslaught. The Old Boys forwards? led by Ell, retaliated. Dailey' broke away brilliantly round a line-out, but his pass to the unmarked Merritt was forward. More Missed Shots. Harris had a good opportunity for a field goal. His kick dropped short and X. Alexander made a fine save. A knock-on spoiled a good and promising rush following a cut-in by Innes. A free kick relieved Varsity. Immediately Varsity infringed and Merritt had still another unsuccessful shot. Dailey found the line in the Varsity twentyfive with another penalty, but a brilliant burst by Williams and N» Alexander changed the way of things. Montgomery had another shot from a penalty, and again he just missed. Futile kicking ended at half-way. Another Varsity rush broke down by bad handling. Scott gained applause with a brilliant run, after which Calder was only just thrown out. A rush by the Old Boys’ backs looked a certainty until Calder saved with an interception. The first try came when Hastie broke through at centre and gave on to Merritt. The winger punted over Scott’s head and easily won the race for the force down. His own kick failed. Old Boys 3, Varsity 0. Old Boys kept up the pressure, and a rush drove the ball out right or. the Varsity line. Half-time sounded be fore they had a chance to press home the advantage. The score was still Old Boys 3, Varsity 0. SECOND SPELL. Varsity spoiled a good rush right on the resumption, X’. Alexander’s transfer to Calder being deficient. An exchange of kicks ended when Scott found the line at half way. Scott again kicked beautifully when Jacobs punted down on him and followed up fast. Dailey missed what would have been a well-deserved try when he kicked through and followed the dribble over the line, the ball going over the dead line. The Varsity forwards retaliated with a smashing loose rush, and Old Boys infringed right under their own goal, for Wikirlwhi to even the scores with a goal. Old Boys 3, \ arsity 3. An Old Boys’ rush cut out a man. but Scott made no mistake j with Merritt. A second later Dailey* received from a line-out and went over

they broke down badly and a certain try was lost. Albion, with a great forward rush smashed to the Christchurch line, where Manning snapped up and went Over. M* Gregor got to him and held him up and finally got the ball from him, making a wonderful save. Half time was called with Albion stilj leading, a—nil. The play in the first half, though not reaching a high standard, had always been interesting-, and the bank was packed when the teams resumed. The Albion forwards, with Polaschek and Lang hunting eagerly, were causing Christchurch a lot of trouble, but there was still off-side play going unchecked. Soanes was too slow with a pass and the Albion forwards rushed the ball to the Christchurch end. Lang was injured and Tither replaced him in the Albion forwards. The Christchurch forwards eventually pushed clear, and M’Auliiffe sent play into Albion territory with a big kick. Play continued in midfield for a long time, neither side making any appreciable advantage until Lilburne took a free kick at half-way and put it out at the corner, but the Christchurch forwards, led by Manchester and M’LUff, smashed back again. Christchurch attacked and Hart had a good chance, but Robilliard's pass was too bad to take. Play became very willing, Albion sweeping upfiehl with a forward rush headed by Manning. Lilburne had an easy shot at goal, but missed, and Scrimshaw Christchurch mndo great efforts in the last few minutes, Stuart making a break through. .His transfer went astray 3nd Steel cleared with a big kick. The final scores were:— ALBION 5 CHRISTCHURCH 0 Referee: Mr A. Thompson. SYDENHAM V. LINWOOD. Linwood kicked off against Sydenham at the Show Grounds. J. Payne secured the ball at half-way and zig-zagged his way through the Sydenlia'm team to score under the posts. Edmonds converted. Linwood 5, Sydenham 0. The Sydendali backs came away in a good rash, Edmohds saving just in time. Sydenham were awarded a free-kick. Iv. Brown making a good but unsuccessful attempt at goal from just inside half-way. A free-kick put Sydenham in a good position, but Linwood cleared to halfway. Sydenham staged a really good passing rush, all the backs participating. Linwood forced. Sydenham made another great effort, then mishandled

and let lunwood gain a lot of ground. J. Dawson secured for Liinwood and put in a great run. The effort was subsequently spoilt by off-side after he had parted with the ball. The Sydenham full-back was caught in possession, and Linwood looked likely to get over.

A. good collar by a Sydenham back spoilt a Lilnwood attack. Rimmer secured the ball from a scrum and carried play well up before transferring to W. Brown. The ball went out. Prom the resulting play Kerr, tha Sydenham full-back, potted a beautiful goal. Xjlnwood 5, Sydenham 4. Sydenham were now having the better of the play. A serum was formed right on the Sydenham line. Linwood secured the bail subsequently, and a great chance of scoring was lost by ofC-sldc. Immediately afterwards, however, Wogan scored and Edmonds concerted. Binwood 10. Sydenham 4. Halftime was called immediately after-

Dawson made a great run for Linwood immediately after resuming. The Dinwood backs thn swung into action, and Smart had a good attempt to get over, but the ball went out behind the line. A free kick relieved the situation for Sydenham. Dunmill put in a good run for Sydenham, and then Smart for Dinwood. A passing rush among the Linwood backs was taken right across the paddock. Sydenham forced. Dawson secured but held on too long. Linw'ood were now pressing hard, but an infringement in the scrum relieved for Sydenham. The Sydenham half marked. His kick did not gain any ground, however. Sydenham attacked, but were forced back. The Linwood forwards broke through, headed by Adams. The bounce of the ball did not favour Linwood and Sydenham forced. A promising passing bout among the Linwood backs was poilt by off side. A free kick to Sydenham relieved the pressure. Wcgan put in a jinky run and threw a long pass to Smart, who received on the bounce and put in a good run before he kicked out. From a penalty kick Edmonds had a shot at goal for Linwood, but missed. Manihera went off with an inquired ankle, O’Brien going on in his place. Then Sydenham came away in a good rush, and Were awarded a free kick in a handy position, Hazlehurst putting the ball over with a good kick. Linwood 10, Sydenham 7. Sydenham made great efforts to score in the closing stages of the game, and play was very willing. The referee cautioned the teams generally. A great rush by Sydenham was spoiled by play. ' Time was called with the score:— LINWOOD 10 SYDENHAM 7 Referee: Mr M. L. Higgins. TECHNICAL V. MERIVALE. Merivale were not at full strength to-day in .their matph against Technical on the west ground at Lancaster Park, G. Oliver being the main defection. D. Rich went t.o half-back, Rhodes playing outside Dorreen at five-eighth. The op’ening play was poor, several Merivale attacks failing through weak passing. The Technical forwards were going well, and from a good rush Rountree just missed a try. The Merivale backs lacked penetrating power, and many were running too far. From a scrum Rhodes secured, slipping through weak tackling to score near tlve posts. His kick missed. Merivale 3, Technical

0. Even plaj' followed, and then the Technical forwards carried play into the opposing territory. From his own half Flewellyn kicked clear to score an easy try. Rhodes converted. Merivale 8, Technical 0. The Mcrivale pack was lifeless, and the Technical forwards were in the ascendancy. A sweeping: rush saw a Punch of Technical for* wards go over the line. Miller’s kick missed. Mcrivale S, Technical 3. Me rival® had the better of the remainder of the spell, but there was no further score at half-time. Merivale 8, Technical 3. Merivale opened well, a good back movement, in which Rich was prominent, ending in Flewellyn scoring at the corner. Morris's kick missed. The Merivale backs were mulling easy chances, but at last Norrie made a good run enabling Flewellyn to score. Norrie missed. Merivale 14, Technical 3. A Merivale rush saw Serra score, well out, Norrie missing, Merivale 17, Technical 3. The Merivale forwards were now playing- with more dash, and Technical were kept on strenuhus defence. Dorreen was carried off with a bad cut over the eye. Norrie scored, and Rhodes converted. Merivale 22, Technical 3. Technical attacked, and Miller just failed with a good attempt at a "pot.” The last few minutes saw scrambling play, no score eventuating. The final score * MERIVALE 22 TECHNICAL 3