CHRISTCHURCH ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 47, 18 June 1891, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH ATHLETICS.

(from our own correspondent.)

Saturday last was as fine a day as could be desired for football, the turf being in grand condition. The game in which most interest was centred was that between Merivale and East Christchurch, which virtually decided the question of premiership for the season. The first spell was remarkably even, and at no time were either sides’ lines in danger. East proved to be superior in the forward department and v ere generally successful in carrying the scrums. As far as back play was concerned Merivale had the advantage, and the grand collaring of their three-quarter backs saved their lines repeatedly. On changing ends Merivale at once took the aggressive, and for about ten minutes were right on the East’s goal line. Good defence, however, prevented any score, and Spring, by following up a long kick, took the ball right to the other end of the ground and scored. No goal resulted, and Merivale once more were the attacking party. Fine passingamongst the forwards was the means of Evans getting over, but the try was not improved upon. With the scores even, and only a few minutes to play, both teams thoroughly woke up. East continued carrying the scrums and gradually working their way down the field, and were rewarded by Samuels getting over. No goal resulted, and a few minutes afterwards “ No side ” was called, leaving East Christchurch victors by two points to one. The game between Canterbury College and Linwood was very onesided. .The latter held

their own in the forward division, but behind the scrums the College had matters nearly all their own way. Time after time the University men would carry the ball from one end of j the ground to the other, their passing being magnificent. In this way they were able to secure four goals and four tries (16 points) to their opponents’ nil. The Linwood backs seemed to be utterly unable to cope with the dexterous passing of their opponents, but the forwards were pretty evenly matched. Sydenham - defeated Christchurch after a hard-fought game by 16 points to 5. Play was interesting, and forward play was at a discount. Unfortunately the Christchurch team was weakened by the inclusion of several substitutes, as had they have had their strongest team they would just about have won. Sydenham scored four tries, all of which were converted by Esrard, who was in rare nick at place kicking. Christchurch secured three tries only, one of which was converted. > .

Sammy Goodman is inaugurating a twelve hours walking sweepstake handicap, the winner to take all proceeds, gate money included. All arrangements, it is understood are to be made at O’Dowd’s Caledonia Hotel next Saturday evening. r The Melbourne Sporting Standard says : Brother wheelmen in New Zealand are very desirous to see our world-famed champion (Pom Busst) spinning round their tracks, and have forwarded him a cordial invitation ,to compete at the Boxing day meeting of the Pioneer Bicycle Club, the leading club of New Zealand. I understand Busst will accept the invitation, provided the leave of absence to visit the mother country, which is now under consideration, is not granted. . 3 It appears the Wellington Athletic Club can have no track fit for running on for at least two years, so in this case the Athletic Association will not grant a championship meeting in Wellington until there is a track fit to do good running on. The next athletic meeting will be the Wellington F.C.’s sports in September, and the Wellington A.A.C. will probably hold their meeting in November. The N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association has at last triumphed in its efforts to amateurise West Coast sports. A meeting was held on June 10th, to discuss the formation of an Amateur Athletic Club for Wanganui, which it was decided to establish. Seventy members have been enrolled, and the Club promises to be a decided success- An excellent running track near the town has been secured.