Miramar Rangers have the chance to retake the O’Brien Shield in a midweek Central League game with the Wellington Phoenix Reserves.
Rangers travel to Fraser Park on Wednesday night when the Phoenix will stage the first defence of the shield since winning it from Waterside Karori on June 10.
As Rangers lost it to the Wharfies in May, a win against the Phoenix could make it one of the fastest returns of the shield since it was introduced more than 30 years ago.
The O’Brien Shield was presented to Capital Football in 1991 by Seatoun AFC to honour their long-serving player and administrator Bob O’Brien, and has been played for in the Central League since 1992.
It is similar to rugby’s Ranfurly Shield with the holders putting the prize up for grabs in their home fixtures.
Between 1992 and 2007, the shield was played for 197 times with Wainuiomata (1994-95), Miramar Rangers (2004-05) and Western Suburbs (2006-07) sharing the record for the longest tenure, with 13 successful defences each.
The Phoenix reserves lifted the O’Brien Shield in 2019, but that was when they were playing as Lower Hutt City.
Main photo: The Phoenix Reserves took the shield from Waterside Karori on June 10. Photo credit: Wellington Phoenix.
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Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday June 21, 2023
Wellington Phoenix Reserves v Miramar Rangers
Fraser Park, Lower Hutt, 7pm
Standings
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