LAST-MINUTE WIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 296, 26 September 1938, Page 3

LAST-MINUTE WIN

SOUTHLAND 20, ASHBURTON 16. THE RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH. CHALLENGER'S UNLUCKY DAY. (Special to the “ Guardian.”) INVERCARGILL, September 24. Ashburton failed in their challenge match with Southland for the Ranfurly Shield, but on the actual run of the play they were very unlucky to lose, the score being 20 to 16. After being nine points down with more than half of the second spell played, Ashburton scored two converted tries, and with only two minutes to go for full time they led the holders by one point and success seemed certain. However, Southland then throw everything they had into the game and after some desperate scrummaging on Ashburton’s line they pulled the game out of the fire right on time. Ashburton were unlucky in that Lilley was not rewarded with a try in the first half. He burst through in bril-liant-style and dived over the line just as the Southlander, Mahoney, came across from the wing and tackled him. There never appeared to be any doubt about the result, but to the amazement of the spectators the referee ruled a tacked ball. The score at this stage was 6-3 in favour of Southland, and had the try been allowed Ashburton would probably have taken the lead as Lilley crossed near the -posts. Then again, in the second half, the Southland captain, Metcalfe, was given a very doubtful try from a scramble in the corner. It was indeed Ashburton’s unlucky day and most of the spectators gave them a moral victory. Southland Very Patchy. Southland gave a very patchy display and it Was only on rare occasions that they showed anything like their best form. They started off very contondently, and with the All Black, Saxton, working his dive pass from the scrum perfectly, the backs set up a hot attack for the first five minutes of play and narrowly missed scoring on several occasions. Herron opened the score for Southland at the end of eight minutes’ play when he dived over in a loose rush in the corner. Southland ... 3 Ashburton 0 The same player scored a similar try seven minutes later, and at this stage Southland were racing all over the challengers. , Southland ... • ■ • ■ • • 6 Ashburton ... ... 6 Ashburton eventually rallied and Broolcer capped a good passing rush by diving over in the corner at the end of 27 minutes. . Southland ... ••• 6 Ashburton ... ... ... 3 This success gavo Ashburton fresh heart and they, continued on top lor several minutes. Sutherland’s clearing kick was charged down and Lilley flashed through to get possession. The centre left the Southland full-back standing and put in a, 25 yards run to dive over near the posts as ho was tackled by Mahoney, who had come across from the wing. It was a. brilliant effort, but the referee ruled no try. Ashburton continued to outplay Southland and Kelly and Bradley were unlucky not to bring off a scissor movement. Bradley looked to have the defence beaten but he dropped the ball and it was speculated into touch in the corner. The venue then changed to Ashburton territory where the Southland backs did everything but score. The second five-eighth, Sutherland, was inclined to hang on too long and he.spoilt several promising efforts this way. Grace actually crossed Ashburton’s line in a passing rush, but was called back for an infringement. The score at halftime was: Southland 6 Ashburton 3 The holders were attacking at the end of the spell. The Second Spell. With the sun behind them in the second spell Ashburton were first to attack and the Southland defence had a' lively time for several minutes, dining which Bradley missed a “pot” from a handyl position. The Ashburton foiwards were going great guns in the loose at this stage and their fast breakaways were giving Saxton no peace. Burgess failed with a pot and Mahoney raised the siege by forcing, but not toi long. The Southland backs tried passing in their own twenty-five, but Ashburton broke in on the movement m good style and a penalty gave Behrns a chance to equalise. He made no mistake with the kick, which was taken from Southland's twenty-five nno anc five yards from the side-line. Lbi.s was at the end of six minutes’ play m tinsecond spell, and the score was Southland ... Behrins’ Splendid Game. This reverse gave Southland a shock, and they set up a hot attack amidst tremendous cheering. ax . sent Mahoney away on the blind sulc and the winger kicked into the- cen u in Ashburton’s twenty-five. ° P O, tion looked dangerous for Ashburtoi , but Behrns, who was playing a sp eIK game, fielded the ball brilliant y and found touch at his own twenty-five. Southland had a chance when Ashbu ton were penalised for a sciuin 111 fringement, but Herron missed with a fairly easy kick, the ball falling shoit. Another penalty kick was missed by -J. Purdue from a fairly handy posi ion. Southland got on top again with the backs showing up in a goof passim, rush, which broke down at the winger Mahoney, when he had the line at hi. mercy. 'Sutherland spoilt another piomising movement when he tried to cut in and was caught in possession a _ feet off the line. A scrum followed,

and while it was down the referee penalised the winger, O’Donoghue, for standing offside. Grace goalcd a. “sitter ’ and the score was Southland ... ... ... 9 Ashburton ... ... ... 6 The spell had been going 19 minutes. The Southland forwards took charge and took play from one end of the field to the other, and Metcalfe finished off a torrid forward attack by scoring under a heap of players in the corner. It was a very doubtful try, as three Ashburton forwards appeared to get their hands on the ball at the same time. Herron’s kick fell short. Southland ... ... ... 12 Ashburton ... ... ... 6 S. Purdue, who was playing an outstanding game in the Southland pack, led the Maroons back again, and after a passing rush by the rearguard broke down. Ashburton were again penalised for a, scrum infringement and Herron goalcd from 30 yards out. Southland ... ... ... 15 Ashburton ... ... ... 6 A Sensational Movement. With, only 14 minutes of the spell left the issue did not appear in doubt as far as the Shield holders were concerned, but Ashburton were far from being beaten and they started a sensational movement immediately following Southland’s last score. Wesney was caught in possession just outside his own twenty-five and Lilley took the hall off him, swerved past two markers and left the full-back standing to score between the posts. Behrns goalcd and the score, with 12 minutes to go, was Southland ... ... ... 15 Ashburton ... ... 11 Southland exerted themselves again and Saxton was responsible for two good solo efforts. The first time he knocked on when lu- had a clear run in and the next time he was pushed out over the corner Hag. Play swung

across Ashburton’s goal, with the Maroon backs shaping promisingly, hut Sutherland again tried to cut in when lie had a couple of players outside him with a good chance of either scoring, and a certain try was lost. Behrns got possession and found touch in his twenty-five. Victory Snatched on the Whistle. Ashburton were putting up a grand fight and they staged the host movement in the game to take the lead from Southland. From a scrum almost at half-way the ball was heeled smartly to White, and it passed quickly to Lilley, who cut in brilliantly and made a glorious opening for Bradley, who raced over unopposed to score in a fairly handy position. Behrns kicked a splendid goal and the score was Ashburton ... ... ... 16 Southland ... ... ... 15 The time clock was showing two minutes from full time and Ashburton appeared to have the Shield in safe keeping. However, Southland were not done, with and right on time they had Ashburton lighting hard to keep their line intact. The excitement was intense as the Maroons made their one last bid for victory, and play to be stopped while the referee cleared a wildlv-oxcitod crowd from the side-line. Some desperate scrummaging ensued on Ashburton’s line. Ashburton heeled from the first scrum and forced, and another scrum was formed From the second one the ball trickled out the side and Graham pounced on it for the winning try of the day. Herron goalcd and a sensational game ended with the score Soutbianc. ... ... ... 20 Ashburton ... ... ... 16 Bifj Surprise for Southland. To say that Ashburton’s performance was a big surprise would be putting the position mildly. Southland got the

shock of its life. The gallant way the Ashburton pack stood up to the heavy Maroon forwards earned the praise of all. The weights of the Ashburton forwards were not published in the programme, but they were giving away a lot of poundage. Nevertheless, they held their own in the scrums and it was only in the line-outs and rucks that Southland were superior. The Ashburton forwards broke very fast and gave the Southland half a worrying time. It would be hard to individualise among the forwards as they all played magnificently, particularly McKenzie, Brooker, Wilson and Newton. Scrum infringements were frequent, however, and they were penalised about four times to Southland’s one. Lilley’s Try a “Gem.” The Ashburton hacks were speedy and enterprising and made the most of their opportunities while they also played a good spoiling game and were quick to take advantage of- any mistakes made by the opposition. White, at scrum-half, got through a lot of solid work but his passes from the scrum were not nippy enough. With a bettor service in their respect the threequarter line might have carried the day, for they wore dangerous when they got a chance. Lilley, at centre, was outstanding and his scintillating runs brought the crowd to their foot. His try was a gem, and he also paved the way for Bradley’s try, winch was unquestionably the best movement in the game. Behrns was a tower oi strength to his side at full-back. Ho did not make one serious mistake and Ids fielding and kicking were finished efforts. The Southland forwards did their part, well but got very little support from their backs, who, after a promising opening, could do nothing right. Saxton, who was making his first appearance for Southland, was in good form, hut his dive passes wore not always well directed. They appeared to bother Grace, who did not show any-

think like his best form, which is good. Sutherland, at second five-eighth, tried to do too much on his own and was repeatedly caught in possession. Incidentally the tackling of the Ashburton hades was of a high standard right 'through the game. The Southland backs gave the impression that they had an easy task before them and when they realised their mistake it was nearly too late. They showed nothing like the combination that was a feature of t-lieir preceding games. The game was cleanly contested and tho weather and ground conditions wore perfect. Southland’s score was made up of four tyjes (one converted) and two penalties, and Ashburton's three' tries (two converted) and a penalty.