FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 398, 16 June 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Anglo-Welsh Defeated. Christchurch, Saturday Canterbury scored a very lucky win over the Anglo-Welshmen yesterday by 13 to 8, in admirable weather and before an attendance of about 15,000. The visitors won the toss and elected to play with the sun at their backs. Gibbs marked the kick out and Deans, who look the ball from his kick, sent it out near the centre.' A scrum followed the line out and a passing rush, initiated by Burns made a good run in the next few minutes but wild passing resulted in the ball being kicked across the British line and Jones forced. A good mark by Morgan, and a kick by Pouty Jones centred the game. Gibbs secured the ball and fast following by Dibble from a kick was responsible for Doell, the Canterbury full-back, being in trouble, but the danger was averted by a force. Ponty Jones found the line well in Canterbury’s territory, and from a scrum Chapman secured but Gray upended him and kicked out in the centre. The Canterbury forwards then came down in a loose rush which was only stopped by fine defensive work on the part ot Ponty Jones and Dibble. Good kicking by Doell kept the visitors confined to their own ground for some time, though Morgan and Ponty Jones tried their utmost to shift the scene of operations. Canterbury players were looking very dangerous at this period until Chapman saved, and then the game was taken to Canterbury’s twentyfives were the local team were awarded a free kick. A scrum resulted through a man being in front of the kicker and Ponty Jones obtained the ball and kicked to McEvedy. who initiated a fine passing rush. Williams, however, failed to take a return pass from the clever Jones and the chance of scoring was lost.

A series of scrums followed, Britain obtaining the ball every time, and through Morgan constantly finding the line Canterbury was being steadily pushed back to its own 25. Another passing rush was started by Morgan when Canterbury was well on the defence, but Fryer, by collaring Williams, defeated the object of the movement, and Burns sent the Ball down the field, but Jones returned it with interest, finding touch just about a yard from the Canterbury goal line. Canterbury managed to get out of the trouble by a forward rush in which Mahoney was prominent. Burns got the ball a little later and he kicked it across the field but it was carried over. A scrum followed, from which Burns got possession and passed to Gray, who, In turn, transferred to Fuller and he scored. Fuller’s attempt at goal sent the ball across the field.

Fuller returned the kick out and Ponty Jones placed Canterbury on the defensive through a fine kick and later a brilliant passing rush between the English backs resulted in Ponty Jones scoring. Gibbs’ kick went wide. —Three all.

For the rest of the spell the game was as even as the scores. On resuming Fryer made a splendid kick and centred play, but through McPhail being offside Canterbury was penalised. Deans found the line near the centre when he returned the penalty kick, and from the scrum which succeeded the line out Burns got the ball and good passing ensued between Gray, McDonald, and Fryer, the latter, unfortunately for his side, spoiling Canterbury’s advantage by kicking too hard, the ball going over tbe line resultlessly. Scrums and passing rjushes by the visitors set Canterbury defending, Gray saving on more than one occasion. Doell finally found the line near the centre, but the Britishers again returned to the attack aud Morgan was nearly over.

A passing rush and a long kick by Deans shifted the game to England’s 25, where Canterbury was only stopped by Morgan’s marking. Burns kicked the ball back to the visitor’s territory and fast following up by McPhail resulted in a try being scored by him. Fuller succeeded in kicking a very neat goal.—Canterbury 8, British 3*

Canterbury men were now more aggressive than ever and were only stopped from scoring another try through Ponty Jones getting in a timely kick. The visitors were awarded a free kick after the line out. A similar award was made to Canterbury almost immediately and Fuller had a shot at goal, but he was not successful. Doose play was indulged in near the visitors’ 25, and Bain securing the ball got over the line near the goal posts. Fuller easily placed the ball between the posts, —Canterbury 13, British 3. Toose play followed in which the visitors had the upper hand, and after the ball was kicked over the line. There was a great race between Burns, Doell and Archer for it, the last named beating the two Canterbury men easily. Gibbs easily. converted.— Canterbury 13, Anglo-Welsh 8. After the kick out Archer started a loose rush, which Dibble and Ritson continued till they got over the Canterbury goal line. They were both away from any Canterbury men and had a certain score in front of them, but for some reason they allowed Burns, who was following up very fast, to slip in and force and so the chance of equalising the scores was lost.

. Shortley after play was resumed the whistle sounded “ no side,” leaving Canterbury victorious by five points.

The first junior match for the Hickson Cup was played on the Racecourse on Saturday, between Albion and Awahou, and resulted in a pointless draw. This match requires no comment, as it was nothing but a scramble, from start to finish. Owing to no referee being appointed by the Sub-Union, Mr O. Cook was induced to blow his own whistle, there being no other whistle available. It is to be hoped that in future the Sub-Union will see that referees are appointed for these games, and also that a whistle is supplied. At the conclusion of the Junior match, the Seniors took the field, with Dr Adams in charge of the whistles, whose decisions gave every satisfaction. After a very even forward game, Frankland (Albion) scored a very fluky try, which was not converted. This was the only score during the game. The play in this match was a big improvement on last Saturday’s display, Awahou in particular showing greatly improved form. Both teams lost several good chances of scoring, owing to the very poor place-kick-ing, which was not lip to school boy form. Owing to the Junior match not being started to time, the Seniors had to finish their game in the dark. The SubUnion should see that these matches are started at the right time, in future, or the players will have to carry a lantern to follow the ball. Why not lay out another field? Surely there is plenty of room on the course.

At Saturday’s football match, the spectators, in their excitement, encroached on the field of play, which interferes with the players of both sides. Perhaps the SubUnion will see that this fault is remedied in future. It is rumoured that two old footballers almost came to blows at Saturday’s match.