SYDENHAM v MERIVALE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7866, 18 May 1891, Page 5

SYDENHAM v MERIVALE.

The above match took place on tho North Park on Saturday afternoon, in splendid weather, and before a large crowd of spectators. The innovation of having touchline umpires, which allows the rerareo to have the entire control of the game, except a few minor points relating to touch-lino laws, was tried with success, and Mr J. I. Firth is to be complimented on the ablo manner In which he discharged hia duties. The game was hardly a brilliant one, still it was Interesting, and was played ingoodsplrit. The homo team turned out as selootcu, hut on the Sydenhaifo side soveral alterations had to be made at the last minute. Tho representatives of the Model Borough adopted tho expedient of playing four three ouarter-backa, which was questioned by some and supported by others. Sydenham started the game with the advantage of the sun on their backs, Play hovered m mid-fioldfor a through the good -work of Thomps6n, Duncan, and Pender it was shifted to Merivale quarters. A bit of pa-wing among their backs, however, shifted tho leather to tho centre. Give aud take play followed, in whioh Patersou, McLean and Reese, and the Homer Brothere, Garrard and Evans were couupicuou. for their respectivo teams. Throe successive tinht scrimmages took place, and loud cheering announced tbat the Suburbans were more than holding their own. One of the scrums mentioned was the mean** 0I Sydenham being allowed a penalty from which Gerard placed a goal Though tho Cardinals were forced twice ana White nearly potted a goal, tho play for tho remainder of the spell was mostly m Morivale ground. It was generally thought that the Blues would run through their opponents in the next spell, but though feydenh_m had soveral narrow escanes, oaly one point was Bcored against them, and tho play Sntil near the finish was a bit in toirfcrar. Through the efforts of Knight, MeDoni-Mt and McLean, the ball was dribbled withhfa yard of their opponent*' goal line, where Pearce, who was not playing up to form, kicked it over. The scrum which ensued resulted in some fine pw~hig among tne Merivale men, nine or ten player- in torn handling the ball Th« carried the play to Sydenh_m quarters, and Mc^ o^ bill over their goal line, 1» _*«**«• **? was handy, kicked into touch In goaL »nd saved a try. The Merivale men were preyed Era few minutes, then Child-, by good running and paasuJg,pvo George Homer a show and by fine wor£ho secured a try, from which no goal resulted. !£_-&.-&<» and Petrio with the *«•£ ance of their mates, gave Merivale amerry time. Sydenham had their turn, for what SSh fij short dashes made *J *• »£ forward, and a few penalty kicks ****** sorely pressed. Luck did not attend Sb* efforu however, atthe finiah play waa again neutral, 3, being Victoria*-*, bj *• small margin oi one point.