SYDENHAM V. ALBION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6489, 16 May 1898, Page 4

SYDENHAM V. ALBION.

This match, played at Lancaster , Park, resulted in a draw, each side scoring seven points (a potted goal and a try). A greasy "ball and a slippery ground prevented anything like a good display of football. Albion kicked off against the wind, but a good return by one of the Sydenham three-quarters fixed play in the Blacks' twenty-five. The ball being heeled out from a scrum gave Eobson an opportunity for a good, though fruitless, shot at goal, and Albion were forced within a very few minutes from the start of the game. Following the kick-out a rush by the Sydenham forwards had Albion in trouble again, another forcedown resulting. Play remained in the Albion territory for some time, when the pressure was relieved by a passing rush, in which - Watkins and Butler were prominent. Sydenham, however, returned to the attack, and Albion were forced three times in quick succession. Albion followed up the advantage gained by the last kickout, and passing between Butler, Archibald and G. Johnston resulted in the lastnamed scoring a try. Johnston's kick failed to improve the score. Although for the rest of the spell Albion were almost wholly on the defensive, when half-time was called they maintained their lead of three points. Immediately after the beginning of the second spell Eobson obtained possession of the ball from a scrum near the Albion line, and potted a neat goal, making tho score Sydenham four, Albion three. Good passing between the Sydenham backs kept Albion busy defending their line for some time. The ball was, however, gradually ■worked back to tho Sydenham twenty-five, and Butler, after a pass from Watkins, gave Albion a lead of three points by potting a goal. After some give and take play, Sydenham livened up, and the score was equalised by Dollan gaining a try. Trogear failed in the kick at goal. By kicks at goal from marks, Albion forced Sydenham twice, but a rush, headed by D. Eeese, cleared the line, and when the game ended the ball wns in tho Albion twenty-five. Tlie game therefore ended in a draw, each side scoring a potted goal and a try (seven points).