THE SENIOR COMPETITION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 140, 16 June 1913, Page 2

THE SENIOR COMPETITION.

OPAWA (3) v. CENTRAL (3)

Expectations of an interesting exhibition of Rugby from the Opawa and Central teams on the Domain on Saturday were amply realised, as the which ended in a draw, was on© of the best seen here for some time. The Central team was much the stronger on paper, 'but the light Opawa combination, as on previous occasions this season., proved conclusively that it has ability which only needs development. The forwards were again giving away much weight; nevertheless they held up tihe Central vanguard in a capable

manner, while the backs received little opportunity to demonstrate theii" powers. The result—a goal on each side—was perhaps a fitting conclusion, and will serve to add interest to future senior contests. Central opened play with a slight wind in their favor, and immediately gave Qpa.wa a taste of their ■ aggres- i sive quailty. The defending forwards strove with a measure oi: success in a series of scrums, but play was being transferred ominously : near the Opawa line. A line-out ; was finally ordered, and Wooster j made a timely kick, which was ' marked by a Central back. Jackson » made a notable effort to pilot the ball ! between the uprights, but the oval ■ struck the crossbar. The attempt j was worthy of better luck. Hostilities ] tvera "il&am 2 lfsiie\ved in the Opawa " Area, and after •& £S?ri<?d. of unsuc- ? cessful strife Central obtained 'a mark \ irorn a knock-on. .Jackson's kick \ was again iinsiiecsssful, and Opawa. 1 | sought relief in a force-down. Fwrj* j the resultant kick-out Opawa. ni rdde j an incipient attack movement which ' was repulsed, and Central again re- ? suriied offensive tactics., A series of j line-outs and. scrums" •ensued, and thertv w&re possibilities of Central's materialising when the backs were set in inotioi) by the agency of Branton and Sotheran: but when looking dangerous- the last relay of the backs was pushed into touch. Wooster marked from the line-out, and the kick was marked near midfield by Central. Jackson made a fine effort, and landed a- . goal.— Central 3, Opawa nil. The trend of events from the kick-off was in favor of Opawa. but Central were again displaying much, prominence when the whistle sounded half-time. Opawa kicked-off, and had Central in difficulties at the outset, smart following-up by Hodson and Hall bringing about a strenuous onslaught in the vicinity of the Central line. A temporary respite was afforded, the defending team by the action of the forwards in transferring play to a noro congenial portion of the field— •for Central. Rees brought relief J co his side, and a siibse^^ B orum gave the Opawa the opportunity for prominence in the loose. Play again returned to Central territory, where Opaiya obtained a mark from a short * kick by Pfankuch. Lane made a most successful kick, and thus evened the score.—Central 3. Opawa 3. Soon after the kick-off the Opawa backs mads a valiant attempt at effective work, but Lane, the last participant in a passing bout, was tackled by Sotherah when, within :an aoe of scoring. From a line-out Dew obtained possession of the ball, and fell on the line, but no score was allowed, and a scrum was 'ordered. From this the Central forwards attempted to break away with ! the leather at their feet, biit Lane ; averted a promising attack, and Opawa maintained the onslaught. After the Opawa. backs had made another unsuccessful attempt to score by combined play, Central gave finality to the Opawa \ttack by forcing: down. Central then took a turn, and Branton obtained a mark in the Opawa area, but Jackson's attempt at goal was,futile, Opawa forcing down. During the dying moments of the game Opawa assailed the Central position strongly but unavailingly, and a keen contest concluded with the score even—3 points each. Mr A. A. Wedde refereed