The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-29
ATHLETIC CLUB
 BEATEN BY YALE Game Was FuriouSly Fought from Every Standpoint THE SCORE WAS 20 TO IA Great Crowd Was Enthusiastic-YaIe Has Magnificent Team-VanderblIt
 Here New Years Night.
 Basketball the Sport.
THE SCORE WAS 20 TO IA

Not a victory for Birmingham, but an honorable defeat at a score of 20 to IA in favor of Yale, was the result of the spirited contest at the Birmingham Ath- 1etic club last night The squad of local players came out of wonderful ex- hibition of brawn and muscle with their chances for southern championship well established.
 Yale had out-played them on their own field, but Yale had put out one of the strongest teams in the country. The game was battle for every inch. Being the first of importance of the season, 1t only opens up the series which will now fol- low thick and fast
 The first half gave the Yale coach cause to mutter between his teeth, for 1t closed after a 20-minute half with his men only points in the lead-Bir- mingham 8, Yale II. But in the second half the visitors, becoming better ac- customed to the field, began their short pass work, and carried the ball close nnder the basket, where 1t would often drop in despite the valiant efforts of Jones and Hilty.
 On the other hand, the Athletic club unable to score against the almost inn pregnable guard of the opponents, fell into attempted long goal shots, which, while adding beauty and interest to the game, won very little.
 Every muscle in play, the mind in com plete control, the endeavor to combine both strength and science mark some of the causes for the enthusiastic cheers which greeted every movement last night. Great rivalry resulted in an extraordinary number of foul plays, but on the whole the sport was clean and open. Yale fouled 19 times, while Birmingham was only credited with IS. Inability of both teams to make good the foul goal on a forfeiture was the only unpleasant feat ure.
 The Athletic clubs forwards, Thomas and Chairsell. appear in better trim this year than ever. Thomas three goals were made under almost impossible circum- stances, while he was playing against the toughest man on the Yale team
 Van Vleck and Goodwin appeared to greatest advantage for the visitors, al- though hardly a flaw could be found in the whole five. Only one sensational dis tance throw was made, and that was a beautiful one by Chairsell early in the first half.
 The game opened with a foul by Yale. First blood went to the rlortherners by a quick pass to goal from out of bounds Birmingham's first score followed by n foul goal by Jones. Then, out of bounc- ing series of rushes from goal to goal, Chairsell balanced the schere on one hand and sent it through many feet of space for clear drop into the basket Birmingham took the lead
 A second later the local boys had the ball under their own basket again, but quickly rallying, the visitors twice passed it the full length of the field to a short successful throw for goal by Goodwin.
 Again in the first half pretty pass work, and two foul goals by Jones, tied the score at 8 to 8, but Van Week tilted the balance by trick throw with his left hand.
 In the second half Yale appeared desperate, took the bit in the teeth, adopted rough tactics, and snatch ed the game out of the fire. Fouls were numerous, The visitors took the lead, and maintained it until the last Bir- mingham had the ball under her goal quite frequently, but fate seemed to reach over and push if off the rim of the basket.
 thusiastic rooters gave the victors hearty cheers, and great honor for their success. Veterans of more than two score games this season, scared and battered. one player out of the game, and two of them crippled, very little fault could be found with their work.
 Here is the line-up and score: