SYDENHAM v EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6129, 11 May 1885, Page 2

SYDENHAM v EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

The first contest in which' the* first; fifteen of the latter Club (gold and black) aave figured in this season resulted in their colore being lowered for the first time by Sydenham first fifteen flight blue). Thej game took place on Saturday last at Ladcaster Park in the presence of a good number of spectators. Theground during tbe earlier part of the game was in excellent condition, but later on, owing to the heavy rain, it become sloppy and almost unfit for athletic accompliilaments. Weeks 'started the excitement by kicking off for Sydenham against a moderate wind. The kick-off being weU followed ,up, resulted in the bail being detained in the twentyfive of the Gold and Black. On the formation of the first sorimmage the became through into the hands of McLean (Jumbo), who, to the surprise, of everybody, potted" 1 - lucky goal for Sydenham, this Ecore being . secured within three minutes from the start.' East Christchurch, how on their mattle, played up fast, and soon carried the baU into the Sydenham twenty-five, where it stayed for some time. From a pass by Fuller into the hands of Francis, the latter, from the midst of his foes, took a pot at goal, aud just missed scoring, Sydenham being forced down. Fleming started the game, and his kick being well backed up, enabled the Light Biuca to hold their own for a Uttle whUe in Gold and Black's vwenty-five, but tbe forwards of the latter, who were playing excellently and by far the better game in this department, soon put their goal out of danger, by a good dribbling rush close down to the Sydenham twenty-five. Here the game swayed to and fro. Francis and Bayner in the meanwhile forcing Sydenham down by splendid attempts at goal, both just missing the mark. From one of Fleming's high drop kicks the Sydenham men were enabled to get well on the other slda of the halt-way flag, and by a little bit of looeo play the b~I wa3 passed to Mason, who, fumbling it, allowed Allardyce to come up fast aud gain possession; continuing on he got round aud secured a try. The place kick, entrusted to Weeks, although an easy one terminated in a failure. The game now waxed faster and faster, Bast Christchurch making repeated dribbling I rushes, in which Fooks, B—nchard, Dow, Atack and Lawrence were censpicuous, but aU their efforts were frustrated by the excellent running and kicking of AUar- | dyce, McLean and Fleming on the other side. Tbe first spell ended with Sydenham's score standing at six points to nU. The wind daring the first epell had steadily increased, and on resuming play, Sydenham were favored with a strong breeze at their backß. Fooks kicked off for the Gold and Black, and Denham, Lawrence, Atkinson and Wilson keeping pace with i tho leather, prevented the return of O'Brien. A scrimmage took, place in the Light Blue's tisenty-five; the ball, however, was not allowed- to stay there long, for by a well concerted rush, away it went at the toes of Hoban, Sutherland and Dobbs. The rush was effectuaUy staved off by the combined efforts of Bayner and Francis, aud now the game was carried on alternately between the two twenty-fives, East Christchurch gaining ground rapidly by their excellent dribbling and combined forward play. On the other hand the Sydenham backs, by long drop kicking, assisted i materially by the strong -wind, again aud again got the baU down in the opposite direction, and from a line-out in the Gold and Black's twenty-five, a pass was made to AUardyce, who being collared, neatly conveyed the leather to _cLear, who by the force of his heavy weight juat succeeded in carrying it over his opponents' goal lias. From the place* kick, entrusted to Fieming, tbe ball although well propeUed, was landed short of the goal. Tbe rain which had been long threatening now came down fast, and although it did not in the least damp the ardour of the combatants, it nevertheless made the ground very sloppy, and the baU almost incapable of being held. The game, however, stiU continued to be the centre of attraction for the spectators in spite of rain, the wearers of the Gold and Black keeping the baU for almost the balance of time weU up in the Sydenham's twenty-five, Blanchard, Dow, Fooks, Atack, and Atkinson being to the fore in the rushes, while Lawrence, who played throughout on the wing, showed great smartness in getting on to the opposing backs. Bayner in this spell made a splendid effort at goal, but owing to the wind being against him, was obliged to cry content, through the baU falling about a yard short of the goal bar. The rest of the game witnessed no further ecore, although Fuller, Bayner, Francis, and Lawrence made several ineffectual but near attempts at running in. No aide was called with the ball close in Sydenham's twentyfive, Sydenham having scored eight poihre to nil. The two teams must be con-; gratuiated on playing towards the close a fast and enjoyable gauie. Aliardvee alone \ allowing his voice as usual to be as lusty a* his kicks. East Christchurch were indeed j unfortunate, for throughout the game they '

were deprived of the services of a quarterback, Ji Fuller haying to early,retire with a severe*strain to hia shoulder. Atack however as wing roan tended to fill up the gap exceUen-y.. The great features of the game were the splendid running aud neat pa—ing of AUardyce andMcLean, from whom a lesson should be taken in bask—gun. Fleming aa fuU back predominated in effectually stopping the repeated rushes of the Gold and Black forwards, and by showing his good judgment in kioking and punting, while amongst the forwards Dobbs, Sutherland, Weeks and Hoban showed to the best advantage, the latter also distinguishing himself on the touch Une, As was expected the back play of the East Christohurch team was very poor (Bayner and. Francis excepted), and in their foil back a radical change ia needed.- Bayner and Francis acquitted themselves admirably, and being quick on to their'opposing backs, they repeatedly frustrated the passes in that direction, and (gained ground considerably thereby. In potting at goal they certainly worked with hard luck, but throughout coUared with good judgment. Tie forwards worked like a machine, and by concerted action showed tbe result of good combined play. AU round they were far ahead of their opponents, on the touch in, scrimmage, and dribbling, but lack judgment in passing. Messrs W. H. Ataak and W. W. H, Smith officiated as umpires, and Mr A. M. OUivier as referee, with satisfaction to both teams.