SYDENHAM v CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11876, 25 April 1904, Page 10

SYDENHAM v CHRISTCHURCH.

These teams met. on the west ground at Lancaster Park, 'And, after a fairly even game, won by 5 points; to nil. Sydenham (Cart'drml and Blue) kicked off from the north end, and in the first few minutes a loose, rush by their forwards carried the ball into touch in goal. After the kick-out Martin headed a Clzristchurch (Red and Black) rush, which sent the ball out at the Sydenham twenty-five. Sydenham very quickly returned to the attack, and after a rush, in. which A. McPhail and J. Mahoney were prominent, some scrambling took place on the Christehurch line, and D. McPhail got across and scored a try, which Roddick converted. On the resumption of pJ&y> the Ghxisfchurch forwards,' with. King* at the head, took tha ball to their opponents* twenty-five, where, from a free kick,- Cotton had an'unsuccessful shot at goaV Sydenham being forced. For some time Christehurch bad slightly the better of tbe play, which hovered between the centxe-flag and Sydenham'* twenty-five, baft eventually mistakes by the Christehurch backs let the Cardinal forwards away. From a free kick Roddick made a poor attempt at goal, and a little later on a mark by*D. McPhail gave Austin an opjwrtunity for a place-kick, the ball falling a little short, and Christehurch having to force'down. After some, give and take play Christehurch attacked strongly, and had their opponents penned

•under their goal posts, but a free kick relieved tlie pressure, and half-time was called with play in the Sydenham territory. Tlie Redii set up an attack in the first few minutes of the second spell, but the .Sydenham forwards then assorted themselves, and, showing better condition than their opponents, kept Christehurch busily defending. 'Hie Reds liad several registered against theiu, fcydeuliam being within an ace of scoring on more than one occasion. Towards the close of the spell Christehurch rallied, and gave their opponents some defensive work to do, but they were unable to cross the line, and time was called with the score standing—Sydenham 5 points (a goal from a try), Christehurch nil. Mr C. W. Hervey was referee.