SENIOR CUP.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 113, 15 May 1911, Page 3

SENIOR CUP.

CENTRAL- (20) v. OPAWA (3)

The meeting of these two teams evinced much interest, but the number of spectators present was not encouraging. Some goodl play was shown at times, and some brilliant individual efforts were made ,by Twomey, Lambert, and Manning. Opawa kicked off against the sun, tho ball being returned by Mogridge to halt-way, where, after a series of line-puts, the Opawa backs initiated a passing rush across the field, the ball going into touch on thfe other side. From a scrum O'Rourk9 set the Opawa backs in motion, the ball going through the hands of Costello, Dunekley, and Twomey, but the latter way grassed by Manning. The Opawa forwards kept up Jhe pressure, and rushed play to'the- blue line; but a good dribbling rush by Haines relieved, Armstrong returning the ball into the dead-ball area.; The.kick-out, was mulled, .and play settled in the Opawa area, but O'Rourke offered temporary relief-. O'Rourke set the black backs going, but Hale fumbled, and for holding on Opawa ware penalised, and Manning found touch in Opawa 25. Here Cloustbn broke away with the ball at his feet, but effective kicking by Manning kept tho-blacks at bay. Opawa then took a hand in the attack, ■ and a clever mark by. O'Rourks in blue territory resulted in Twomey having a futile attempt at goal, the ball going to Manning, who kicked to Hale, the latter shifting operations on to the Central line with two well-judged kicks. However, .Central, were relieved by a free-kick, play moving to the quarter flag. Here the Opawa backs again got going, but a**wild pass by Duncidey spoilt what chance of scoring there was. A line-out resulted, from which Mogridge, with a well judged kick, found touch in midfield: Play remained here for a tima, Twomey and Lambert putting in some fin© individual work for their sides. Quane was the prime mover in a determined Central rush to the line but change of 'sides relieved the blacks. The kick-off was followed by play on the Opawa line, but a mark offered only a short respite, as Central kept up an incessant attack, and after a strenuous struggle on the line Opawa were forced. Play settled down in neutral territory, where the blacks were penalised, and Manning found touch in Opawa territory, where, from the line^out, a passingrush in which. Mogridge, McArtney, Manning, and Lambert participated, '-resulted-iii the lost-named finishing a dodgy sprint; by scoring a. brilliant try. -/.Jackson failed with th© kick. After the kick-out., Mogridge initiated a passing-rush, with the result that Lambert again sprinted over. Jackson converted with a good kick from -•* difficult angle.—Central 8. Opawa 0. These reverses stimulated the Opuwa attack, but 'Manning again proved a thorn in their side, and cleared the line with a- judicious kick, and soon Opawa were defending, and Jackson had an unsuccessful attempt at goal from a penalty, tho ball going to Cameron, who found touch at halfway. Opawa again pr'eesed, but a good ruii by Lambert relieved, and the spell 'ended. On the resumption of play, Opawa' pressed Central to their 25, where, from a scrum, O'Rourke again initiated a passing-rush, the ball going right out to Hale on the wing, who, on being pressed, passed in-field to Twomey, who dashed over the line His kick at goal was unsuccessful. Good play by Manning and Haines bad Opawa hotly defending, and injudicious play by Cameron allowed ■Jackson to score near the corner. His kick at goal resulted' in a poster. — Central 11, Opawa 3. The blues continued to press, but Twomey came to the help of his side, and put in a long run, which shifted play to blue 25. This attack, however, was only momentary. Manning found the line with a good kick, which took play to near the Opawa line. A mark by Armstrong and an exchange of kicks left play in mid-field. At this stage Twomey was playing exceedingly well for Opawa. Jackson headed a good dribbling rush to Opawa quarters, but a free-kick for Opawa. improved their position somewhat. Further good play was witnessed from Lambert and Twomey. Play merged to black territory, where Jackson broke away, and, beating the full-back, scored1 in the corner. His kick at goal, though a good attempt, was unsuccessful. After the kick-out the ball went to Cameron, who mulled, and the blue forwards gathered the ball at their feet and Boyle scored. Jackson failed to convert. On changing sides Opaw-i opened up a slight attack, but good play by Manning and Haines- reversed the positions, and play shifted to the Opawa line, n force-down saving tho situation. A good forward rush, in which Fougero and Patchett were in the van, and a long kick by Cameron, improved the Opaw-t position, and Hegglun had an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Qentral returned the attack, and good kicking 'by Mogridge had Opawa defending, but Hegglun relieved with a dribbling rush to halfway, where play hovered for some time. A good corkscrew run j:,nd long kick by Cudby resulted in Opawa being forced. Central kept up the pressure, and Haines scored. Jackson failed to register the extra points.

The game ended soon after, with Central victors by 20 points to 3. For the winners Manning, as usual, was the mainstay of the backs, while Lambert did splendidly what little work he h#d to do. Quane was a good half, while the, passing of all the backs was good. Jackson at wing-forward was the "staa*" of the front division, while be received good assistance from Boyle, Foster, and Haines. Twomey was the pick of the Opawa backsi, and was responsible for most of the work. His running, cutting-in, passing, and kicking were all first-class, while he was very solid on the defence. O'Rourke got the ball well away, and Oostello showed g6od' form. : Patchett. Hegglun, and Olouston were the pick of the forwards. Mr A. A. Wedde refereed. ■ ;