SATURDAY'S RUGBY.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1919, Page 6

SATURDAY'S RUGBY.

OPAWA DEFEAT WARD,

DRAWN GAME BETWEEN" CENTRAL AND MOUXBRE.

The senior games arranged for Saturday afternoon attracted a fair attendance at the Domain. From i(vr'mpofcit'.on point of view they had lifctlo significance, as Opawa had established their claims to the season's premiership in the previous games against Central and Moutore.

But the play was regarded with more than average interest because of approaohing representative matches*, and it was felt that the individual performance of several players who were considered in the running for "rep." honors would assist in the final selection. That Saturday's play was a factor in determining the personnel of tiie team which will probably iiepresenD Marlboirough in the Shield contest is borne out in some instances in the selection made.

OPAWA (9) v. WARD f'O). This was , the third meeting this season between these two teams, and as each had been successful once it was moro in the nature' of a "conqueror." Opawa were successful by 9 points to nil. The quality of the play was not good, and repeatedly the visiting team lost considerable advantage through off-side play. xis a mattior or fact, the Ward forwards gave- Opawa a busy time during the greater part of the game, but they lost in effect through over-eagerness and lack of combination.

The fir.sti score came from a rush initiated by J. O'Brien, which enabled M. Maher to register a try for Opawa. Fuller failed to convert, and he was also unsuccessful in two penalty kicks during the spoil. Ward! pressed strongly early in tho second half. Opawa had been invading their territory, but S. Mogiidge was responsible lor a diverting run which set up an attack. Opawa wetre penalised for hanging on to the ball in the face of a. Ward rush. S. Mpgridge failed at goal from an easy position. Shortly afterwards Opawa set up an 'attacking movement, and Fuller kicked a goal from a mark by L. Dunckley. Ward made strong endeavors to retrieve their position, and they hammered at the Opawa line for some time, the ball finally going into tcuch in goal. Opawa s next score, was a try by Harding, which was iiot converted.- Towards the finish of thr> game the visitors livened up considerably, but tiheir effort was too late. Mr J. Torrance refereed. CENTRAL (3) v. MOUTERE (3.) Neither side seemed very bent on providing high-class- football. Players at times wero inclined to bo. sluggish, and the game generally calls for little comment. Phillips scored for Moutero early in the game, and Malier (Cantral) was very prominent in repelling 'subseti:iont Moutero attacks. Towards tha c-.i.l of the spell Mills scored for Central. There was no further score in the second' half, but a pretty piece of passing amongst the Central'backs on ,one'occasion almost mattered. Mr Torrance refereed. REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. The following representative team has been selected to play against Buller in the Seddon Shield contest at Wcstport on September ,13tih: — Full-back: C. lliley (Opawa). Three-quarters: L. Dunckley (Opawa), H. Bottrell (Opawa), and H. Phillips (Moutere). Five-oighths: iS. Mogiridge (Ward) and L. Thomson (Central). Half: A. M. Conolly (Opawa). Wing: J. O'Brien (Opawa). Hookers: R. Sheridan and S. Hall (Moutere). Lock: H. Wratt (Moutere). Supports: G. V. Haa-ding (Opawa) andi W. Maher (Central). Third rank: V. and T. Smith (Opawa). This team is subject to alteration. Oa Saturday it will moot a B "rep." team, which is as follows:— Full-back, Vercoe (Central); threquarters, A. Dunckley (Opawa), ■*. Fuller (Opawa), and J. O'Brien (Moutore); five-eighths, D. Mclsaac (Central), and C. Fitzgerald (Central); h!aU", . McH&le ; wring, Henry (Opawa);' hookers, Washington and B. Br6ughan (Moutere); lock, Ryan (Opawa); supports, Saul (Cantral) and M. Neal (Moutere); third rank, M. O'Brien (Opawa) and Gill (Central) ; emergencies, N. Day (Central) and N. Gill (Opawa). Tho proceeds of this match will lie de-voted to a fund for the benefit of Central players injured during the season.