RANFURLY SHIELD.

MANAWHENUA EASILY BEATS

WANGANDL

PALMERSTON N., Saturday.

In fine weather, but with a strong wind blowing, Wanganui met Manawhenua in the Ranfurly Shield challenge match this afternoon, four thousand spectators being present- The holders set the ball in motion, and following a period of attack by Manawhenua, Jacob kicked a good goal from a penalty. Play swung between the twenty-fives for the next fifteen minutes until, with Wanganui in a good position, the defenders were penalised and Leahy equalised the scores. Five minutes later Jacob just missed in an attempt to drop-kick a goal from half way.

The shield holders were now having the better of the game. McDonald, following up a punt, regained possession and scored. Jacob missed with the kick.

Wanganui retaliated with a spectacular passing bout, but the final receiver of the ball was pushed out at the corner flag. Manawhenua worked their way back to the visitors' territory, where their forwards were pushed over the line, Jacob scoring. The Manawhenua skipper converted, aii4 the shield holders led at half time:

Manawhenua «.«.«.«...... It Wanganui f In the second spell play had been in progress seven minutes when McDonald scored from the blind side scrum and Jacob goaled. .. .A loose passing movement by the visitors caught the home team napping, and with Bellie making a good opening Johnson scored. Leahy failed to convert. Manawhenua now began to show decided superiority and from , a forward rash Parsons scored. Jacob missed an easy kick. A series of free kicks against the home team checked the game. Moses, the Maori All Black, playing at first five-eighths for Manawhenua, received an injury to his knee at this stage and had to go off.

Brilliant passing by the home backs saw McDonald score his third try, and again Jacob missed wth the kick in front of the posts.

The home team was now throwing the ball round well and got over from another passing bout, but were recalled for a knock on. Five minutes later, just on call of time, Tremewan dived through from a line-ovjs to make the score: Manawhenua 25 Wanganui 6