ALBION v. SYDENHAM.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13100, 27 April 1908, Page 3

ALBION v. SYDENHAM.

This game occupied pride of place at; Lancaster Park.

Burns, winning the toss, Hopkins kicked off for Sydenham, with a strong sun agoinst the Cardinals, a long return by McPhail improving the position. From the line out, Doell marked, and Hov.&on had the ball placed, but made a poor attempt. J. Mahoney, heading a forward rush, ..gain had Albion defending, a.nd good, ploy by Nelson had Weston in difficulty, and obtaining possession, tho suburban backs essayed a passing rush, which was distinctly a poor effort, tho Blacks' vanguard gaining a great advantage. Howson fumbling, tho Albion forwards again, assumed control, forcing Sydenham. A penalty awarded again- gave Howison a fruitless shot, and Henry made an opening for Stevens who cent a bad transfer to Weston, a free kick clearing the Sydenham twenty-fire. Mason had his return charged down, a.nd play continued on the suburban team's half, where __.ov.ns made a futile attempt from a free kick. The Blacks, obtaining control, set their backs in motion, Howison effecting a timely mark. Tlie Cardinal rearguard broke away, and an onslaught on Albion's line saw Baker to the rc-cne, and he and P. Burns removed p!ny to the other end, where Hay obtained v mark, from which. ..eston c_.a.yrd a goal, which li© miv-cd. Continuing the attack, tho Blacks' back division started passing awl long transfers between Stevens, Henry, Ward. We'J. and Baker went to the suburban line, where. P. Burns obtained possession and passed smartly to Eathorn, who scored. Henry failing from a difficult angle with his kick, Hay and McKenzie again threatened the Cardinals' line, tho latter spoiling the play by getting off-side. I lay being removed to Albion's ha,lf. Luke infringing gave Howison another chance, in which he failed, and a jiurned pot by J. Mahonv forced the B-acks shortly )>efore half-time. Luke restarted proceedings, and shortly after resuming Weston made a hue attempt from a mark by J. Burns. Mi-fielding by Stevens let 'the Sydenham vanguard away, and a chance was missed by faulty footwork. McPhail got away, and a long run was spoilt by non-support. Webb removing the scene by splendid dribbling. Passing by tho Albion backs gained little ground, and Howson was instrumental j in returning play. Mason tackled . Henry m possession, and the Cardinal forwards obstructing Gray, lost the ground gained. Mi.fielding by Mason gave the Black forwards control, a long kick forcing Sydenham. A passing run by Weston, Gray, and Eathorn saw the latter stopped on the suburban team's line, where the latter forced in self-defence. Faulty tactics by Hutchings, had his side again defending, and ; a rush was spoilt by Le Brun getting off-side. The Albion vanguard, headed j by Hay, Webb and Baker, gave SydenI ham further pressure, and the latter's j defence was sorely taxed, a lucky flying kick hy Mason cleariA. * Hay . came back with a fine run, »nd bad

passing lost a good chance. Slow passing by tho Cardinals' backs gained httle ground, Weston and Gray doing son.o fine suving. and intercepting, and strenuous rushes by the Sydenham forwards were of little avail, the whistle sounding with tho game in Albion's favour by a- try to nil. Mr J. Peake was referee.