FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7356, 8 July 1889, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR MATCHES,

On Saturday afternoon the Sydenham team met East Christchurch, aud Menvale beat Addington bv6 points to nothing, and the Christchurch* Club had a very easy thing against Christ's College, which was defeated by 17 points to nothing.

SYDENHAM v EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

These Clubs met on Saturday, at Lancaster Park, and played a match which was well contested, and was witnessed by a fairly good number of spectators. Hassal kicked off for East Christchurch, and Sydenham were placed on the defensive. Donnelly and Allardyce removed the pressure, and in the Yellows' twenty-five a foot pass of the former was intercepted by Forbes, who with a good kick and fast following took play to the Cardinals' quarters. Soon after this Hassal, McKee and Atkinson dribbled Into the Sydenham quarters, and Dow obtained a try through O'Brien failing with an attempted kick into touch. The try was not converted into a goal byF. Hobbs, who took the kick. Play was carried backwards and forwards after this, Petrie, A. Hobbs, Dobbs, McCourt and Cochrane distinguishing themselves. While in the Yellows' twenty-five McLean got the ball, and succeeded in getting over the line, but as no goal was made the score stood even. After the kick-out the Easterns were badiy penned, until a kick by Hobbs averted danger. A Yellow rush, followed by smart play on Spring's part, ended in the latter securing a try, a score which was not immediately increased. East Christchurch, 2 points; Sydenham, 1 point. A deal of give-and-take play followed, and Atkinson must have scored but for too hard-kicking on his own part. Sydenham also had two kicks from marks. Some neat passing succeeded between Cochrane and McCourt, clean-kicking by Allardyce, Donnelly and F. Hobbs, and D. Lee collared Cochrane just when that player was getting dangerously near scoring. The collaring of the Easterns was very good, and several of the Sydenham team were grassed in attempting to run. Both McLean and Petrie took pot shots at goal* but were unsuccessful. A series of scrums followed the latter's attempt in the Yellows' quarters. The spell ended with the score—East Christchurch 2 points, Sydenham 1. Early in the second spell the Easterns pursued the same tactics of rushing the ball, and were met by Riley, Dobbs, and Weekes, who returned the play, which now became pretty loose. McLean from a pass by Allardyce secured the ball, and made a fine run, which ended in a try. Petrie took the kick, but waited too long, and the ball struck a charging player. The Yellows' forwards then organised a rush, which forced Sydenham down, and shortly after East took a free kick for the Cardinals' contravention of the rules. The play wavered from one twenty-five to the other without either side getting a decided advantage, until Forbes and Dow headed a dribble to the Sydenham lines. Pender- relieved the pressure, and play was taken to neutral territory, but the Yellows resumed the attack a few minutes' later, and were the aggressors when time was called, the match ending in a draw, each side having scored two points.