SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 198, 21 August 1920, Page 6

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SEDDON SHIELD

A MERITORIOUS HECORD

',By "Spectator.")

Rugby lias entered so much into the life of the community this season that tho volume of public interest that has been manifested in the recent achievements of the touring "rep." team recalls the- exciting times before the war when ■Marlborough stalled off several strong challenges for the Seddon Shield.. In 1908 and 1909 Buller came this way with, powerful teams, and high expectations of lifting the coveted trophy, and twice they returned to the Coast defeated by the narrow margin of P points to 3. In those days Rugby gripped the population as it had not done for many years'and as it has not done since. Those- were the palmy days. There have been signs, this season, however, that the interiiiption caused by the war is losing in effect and that the game is being restored to its earlier prestige. How far this restoration has been .assisted hy the representative happenings of the past fortnight has been apparent in the enthusiasm with which the regaining of the Seddon Shield was publicly "received. The history of the Marlborough representative team this season is decked with honors, and its particular pride is that it is so far undefeated and in bringing the Seddon Shield to its familiar resting-place- it has achieved what two previous tours fa.iled to bring about. This event furnishes a happy prospect for the future. If Marlborough is able to retain the trophy for a reasonable period a programme of Shield matches can be looked forward to by local enthusiasts, and a. visit from the touring South African team next season is quite an alluring probability. Much has been written in detail regarding the recent tour, and the general public should now bo well aeouainted with the various phases of the pilgrimage to the Coast. As regards the individual form there is general testimony to the fact that Fisher excelled himself in the Shield match and gave a. really high-class exhibition of for.yard pj«y ; Phillips gave an impressive exhibition of his powers, as a. th reequarter, and ho showed dash and gairteness that stamp him as the best wing that has donned the maroon jersey for many years. King captained the team during the tour, and his form throughout made him a valuable member of the back division. Though mishaps, to Dance and Hiley in the Nelson match Glecson and It. (VBrian were pressed into service for tho Shield match. Gleeson's recent experience should inspire him with confidence which should assist him to retain his place in representative Rugby in the future; ho- certninly jhas tho ability.

It will refresh the memory to delve briefly into the history of the Seddon Shield. rJhe trophy was subscribed for and is the joint property of the Marlborough, Nelson, Buller, and "West Coa&t Unions. The first contests were played in 1906, when the preliminary panics resulted in JVlt'.rlnorough's victory ovor NHmhi, and Buller's succo(-.s ngninst. \V(«;(> roast. The final game was j>hvyed at Westport, Marlborough were not strongly represented, but de.-pitc tlio advorso conditions, they prevailed, J. IMuij.hy scoring the only try of th<> game. The Shield ennu? to Blenheim and

remained here until 1913, the results of challenge matches during that period being as follows: — ! 1907 Marlborougli 9, Buller 9. 1907 Marlborougli 14, Nelson 4. 1908 Marlborougli 13, West Coast 13. 1908 Malborough 6, Buller 3. 1909 Marlborough 13, West Const 6. 1909 Marlborougli 6, Buller 3. 1910 Marlborougli 14, Buller 8. In 1913 a penalty goal by Bligli turned the tide of Marlborough success, and the Buller representatives took the Shield back to Westport.

The results of subsequent challenge matches ac "Wostporfc were as follows : 1914 Buller 25, West Coast 8. 1914 Bulier 17, Marlboroiigli 6. 1919 Buller 3, Nelson 3. 1919 Buller 13, Marlborough 5. 1920 MiU'lborough 21, 13uHer 13. Some individuals in town deserve a \vholo pyramid of humiliation and ignominy for the vilo rumors they circulated on .Friday nnd Saturday regarding the bona fides of some of the Martborou&h players engaged in the Shield match. It may liavo been a moans to influence financial support of Bullcr's prospects, but those who put their trust in the honesty of the Mai'lborough men had a. gloi'ious victory. The betting evil aga,in! It is all very well in the flood tide ot' success to he enthusiastic and render a lull meed of praise "where it is .so richly deserved. But the eniSmsiasm that suggests in a.ll sei ious.lujss that the Marlborough team should compete for the Kanfarly Shield requires to be curbed somewhat. Many of us remember the result of a Kanfurly Shield challenge when there were abler exponents of Rugby here than there are to-day. l('or many reasons the postponement of to-day's Cup fixture was desirable. With Riley, Gleeson, and Kmg on the injured, list and J. O'Brien on tour Opawa. would not bo strongly represented, whilst Centi al would be .seriously affected by the incapacity of Dance, Day, and Forbes. The match is so importMivc that both teams should be given the opportunity to secure as strong a representation a possible. There can be no quarrel with the statement that the Wa.terlea_ movement deserves much more vigorous support from sporting bodies than has been evident in the present campaign. Football clubs in particular have an excellent opportunity of helping themselves and the future of Rugby. Buller is aiming high. The president of the Buller Union is reported to have said last Saturday that next season Buller would annex both the Seddon and Ranfurly Shields. Avid ho further stated that the Scddon Shield was only transferred to Marlborough on loan. The takings at the grandstand and gat.es at the Seddon Shield match on Saturday were £110 14s 9d, a record for a football match played at # "Westport. The attendance was estimated at between 2000 end 3000. A sheaf of congratulatory telegrams received by the local Union on the Shield success include messages from A. Henry, captain of the Marlborough team last season. Awania history is revived by a. message from three Gisborne enthusiasts— Fred Hale, o'Donnell, and "Bunny" Neame. The Kelburn Senior Cadet Company • will send a team to meet the 20tli Company representatives in Blenheim on Saturday next. It is probable that the match will be played as a ourtuin-rairer to the representative match between Wellington and Marlborough.