SYDENHAM v CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7573, 9 June 1890, Page 3

SYDENHAM v CHRISTCHURCH.

The return match of these two teams took place in the old Show ground, and was the scene of a deal of unmanly conduct on the part of the large crowd who hung round the touch lines. It waa thought that the disagreeable practice of what is vulgarly known as " barracking " had diminished, If not'died out, but from the hooting and noise at this match it would appear that such a thinsr was not the case. It is a great pity indeed that two well matched teams should be unable to meet in friendly rivalry without a mass of howling people questioning the decisions of the umpires and referee, and making matters generally unpleasant. Contrary to expectation, the match did not result in favor of Christchurch, who were defeated by two tries to nothing, though the game was fast throughout arid fairly open; In the first spell Sydenham had the wind, which proved to be a decided help, and Donnelly obtained a try, which was, however, not counted. The combination of Sydenham was an improvement on several previous games, and it had the effect of stemming the frequent rushes made by the Reds in the second spell, towards the end of which Ritchie secured a touchdown, the try at which was also a failure. For the winners, Reese, Donnelly and Young backs, and Rlelly, Moir, Gerard forwards, were the most conspicuous, while Wilson, Berney, Wilkinson, Taylor and Marsden played hard for Christchurch.