THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11580, 11 May 1903, Page 10

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

CHRISTCHURCH v SYDENHAM.

These teams met on the east ground, in front of the new stand, at Lancaster Park, and a well-contested game ended in draw. each side scoring a goal from a try (o points). Sydenham hud the wind in their favour in the first spell, and after the kickoff even play was witnessed for some little time. Chr_tchu:-th then got on a fine passing rush, in which Harvey, Wood, Harper. Thompson, and Wood again participated, the la-t-named scoring, and he converted the try. Harper failed to handle the ball after "the kick off, and Christchurch were called upon to defend their line. A free kick to Sydenham gave them a chano? to score, but Roddick's shot at goal fell short. A rush headed by King .gave the Rids (Olwistchurdi) relief, but a bad fumble by Martin, the full back, ■again placed the Reds on the defensive. Good piny, by Fisher removed tlie scene of action "to neutral territory, and for some time neither side could claim an advantage. A passing run between H-.trvey, Harper, and Wood threatened danger to the Sydenham Sine, but Dolierty intercepted the latter, and ran to _le Christcliurch twentyfive before he was 'brought down. A moment or two later Sydenliam were awarded a free kick, and Roddick had another fruitless shot at goal. Even play followed, and then a passing run by the Reds enabled Ollivier to reach the line before he was tackled. The Sydenliam forwards quicklyremoved tlie danger, but the Christ-church backs got on another passing run, and Harvey marking, placed the ball for Wood, who made a. good, though futile, attempt at goal, Sydenham being forced. After the kick cut Sydenham worked tho bal'i to the Christchurch twenty-five, but tha tatter were awarded a free kick, and Wood lucked the ball to the centre, whcie i f remained until half-time was calk.!. On changing ends the subuib.m team quickly worked tlie ball htto their opponents' quarters, and a wild pass by Harvey gave Sydenham an opening, which Dolierty took advantage of, scoring a try near the posts. Roddick took the kick, and added the major points, thus equalising the scores. After the kick-off Christchurch twice foroed down their opponents, and then tlie latter lost a capital dhnnee of scoring by erratic pissing. The Reds quickly worked the ball back to the centre, and by a run and kick by Fisher the ball was taken to the Sydenham end. The ktter's forwards quickly removed the danger, and a kick by Roddick shifted the ball to itihe Christehurc'h twenty-five. Wood dribbled the oval back, and picking up passed to Harper, and the latter transferred the ball to Thompson, who crossed the line, but as he had been tackled in tho field of play, the referee ordered a scrimmage. A minute or two later the Cardinals were forced, but after the kick out tlie latter .got on a good rush, and Ohristchurcli were forced in turn. Christchurch then made a strong attack, and Fisher lost a good chance of scoring by fwling to take a difficult pass, and just after Sydenhamm were forced from a shot at goal by Wood. Even play in neutral territory was then witnessed until just on the call of time, when Sydenham were awarded a free kick, but Roddick's attempt at goal failed, and time was called a few minutes, later. Mr F. T. Evans was referee.