FOOTBALL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 170, 20 July 1903, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

One of the two junior matches on Saturday, Koroiniko v. Rivals, did not eventuate, only three of the former team putting in an appearance. The Rivals kicked off and gained a try to claim the match. The country players state they did not dosire to let the game go in such a fashion, but the short notice they received from the Union of tho fixture precluded any possibility of being able to get a team together.

Tho other junior match played in town, Awarua v. Wairau, was a keenly contested game, aad was won by the I latter by 7 points to six. The Wairau win was the reward of batter condition and their stubborn pertinacity, the game only, being won on the call of time. The ground was very heavy and slippery, and the. Awaruas, who were much weightier than their opponents iii the forwards, had all the best of the first spell. They scored two tries in the first ten minutes, one being gained by Schwass from a scrum just on the goal. line, and. the second one by Grey f, who received the ball from Casey and McHale and bumped himself over the line. The Wairaas made several desperate rallies during the spell, but the Awaruas were able to keep them mainly on the defensive. In the second half conditions were reversed, the Wairaus having the advantage. They secured the ball more frequently from the scrums, and making the game as open as possible used every endeavor to score. Their chance did not come, however, until within ten minutes of time, when, after some smart passing amongst the back division, the ball came to Parker, who, seeing he could not cross the Awarua Hue, quickly and neatly potted a goal; A points. The game then became very, willing, and was rushed up and down the field, but the Wairaus always returned to Awarua quarters. From a scrum near tho goal line the maroon, forwards heeled "-■" the ball out smartly and cleanly, and passing between Heggfun, Jacomb, and Daly enabled the' (latter,, who beat * his opposing wing three quarter, very cleverly, to get. oyer and score a try. The kick at goal; as were all attempts throughout the match by side, was a failure, and time was called very shortly after. Both teams played a very, hard game, and the state of the ball and ground being considered, tho passing was very good. . Fortho Awaruas j Dick at fullback was not in form and did not do well. Grey aud Boyese, three-quarters, were safe. A. Draper, the other threequarter, and Ivlcllale, five-eighths, played very well., Casey's kicking was of good service on many occasions. O'Sullivan, on tiio wing, a recent Wellington player, played the best game on hia side. P. O'Sullivan and Keating were the best of tbe forwards. Of the Wairau forwards Dlxon, Jordan, and A. Wanden were the most prominent. Denby shone to advantage in the line-out work. Hegglun, half, and Griffiths, five-eighths, both did excellent work. Jacomb was not as good as usual. Daly and Parker, wing threequarters, both played safely, and when on the attack dashingly. H. Wanden, at full-back, gave his best display of the season. He Lad a lot of heavy de« fensive work to do and did it well.