SYDENHAM v CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7878, 1 June 1891, Page 6

SYDENHAM v CHRISTCHURCH.

This match took place on the North Park on -Saturday afternoon, and after a very pleasant game resulted in' a win for Sydenham by 12 points to 5. Sydenham kicked off. and a good return saw the play for a few minutes in their ground. The Sydenham forwards then worked the ball to the centre. From a line out Thompson and Duncan got away, and the last named player when close on his opponents' goal line made a foot pass to Donnelly, who easily scored. Gerard took the kick, and landed a goal. Loose play followed till good work by Hawkes and Wilson was the means of forcing down Sydenham. The kick out was in favor of Sydenham, which worked the leather to Christchurch .quarters, and Donnelly, getting possession, scored after a short dodgy rim. Gerard improved the try. Shortly after Gerardplaced another goal from a penalty kick. Through the effortsof Smart, Taylor, and Rees, Sydenham were pressed for a bit, but good forward jplay, followed by some nice passing by McLean, Reese and Petrie, carried the game to the other end. A few loose scrums in the Christchurch twenty-fives then followed, and Christchurch had to force in self-defence. On the resumption of play the backs* on-both sides indulged in a few kicks, which resulted in the ball going out of touch at the centre flag just on the call of half-time. With eight points against them Christchurch started the second spell, and for some time it looked as if they were going to pull the match out of the fire. The efforts of Frost, Humphreys and Labatt put Sydenham on the defensive. From a rush near the Sydenham line Laurie got over, and Wilson placed the goal. - Soon after a good bit of passing among the Christchurch backs enabled Wilson to get over, no goal resulting. A few i minutes later Smart scored another j try. for his side, which, however, was,, not converted. These successes induced" Sydenham to rally, and Reilly, by a splendid dash, in which he was assisted by Knight and Sincock, scored right between the posts, Gerard once more being successful with the place. The Christchurch men then put in a lot of hard work, but Reilly responded with another fine dash, and nearly scored. Being well collared, he passed out to McLean, who in turn sent the ball on to Reese, and the latter succeeded in getting in. Gerard took the place, but failed. From this to the end the play was fairly even, and the match ended as stated above.