CHRISTCHURCH ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 44, 28 May 1891, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH ATHLETICS.

(from our own correspondent.) Saturday’s matches were from first to last a succession of surprises. At North Park Canterbury College were generally supposed to have a “ moral” with Christchurch, and at call of “time” no one was more surprised at the result than the Christchurch men themselves. Throughout the first spell the latter seemed to take matters much too easily, with the result that on several occasions they were caught napping, and allowed the College to score soon after the kick off. Wilson scored a goal; but the College were not to be denied, and Cresswell and Balch, between them, had raised their score to six points. On changing ends matters assumed an altogether different aspect. The Christchurch forwards played a rattling game, and from a scrum near the College lines Wilson got the ball and passed another goal to his side’s credit. Tries were also secured by Berney and Hall, the former being improved upon. At call of time the scores stood : Christchurch, 10 points ; College, 6 points, Another surprise was in store for supporters at the Merivale Sydenham match, when the latter, for the first time for years, put down the suburban club. Play was not of an interesting character, being confined to the forwards of each team. Soon after the kick off Sydenham obtained a goal from a penalty kick, and for the remainder of the spell more than held their own. On changing ends it was thought that the “ blues” would soon wipe off the score against them, but although they had somewhat the best of the game they only obtained one point. Sydenham were thus victorious by two points to one. At Lancaster Park, although the result of the match East Christchurch v. Linwood, was not a great surprise, it was not thought that there would be a difference of eight points at the finish of the game. For the first spell play was very even, neither side being able to claim an advantage. On changing ends, however, the Linwood forwards fell to pieces, and before call of time East Christchurch had ran up a score of 8 points to nil. The appeal in the match Canterbury College v. Merivale, was awarded to the latter, who now claim the match. So far East Christchurch is the only senior team that has not suffered a defeat. At Dunedin the Pirates defeated Taieri by 6 points to 1. Kaikorai defeated the Union by 6 points to 1; and Dunedin did likewise to Zingari by 4 points to nil.