HANAN SHIELD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 274, 1 September 1947, Page 5

HANAN SHIELD

FOOTBALL

ASHBURTON’S UNSUCCESSFUL BID WIND PROVES BIG FACTOR Ashburton’s bid to lift the Hanan Shield from the holders, South Canterbury, failed on Saturday, the challengers being defeated by 19 points to six. On the day South Canterbury were the superior team, and with a strong nor’-wester behind them in the second half, they never looked like being beaten. Ashburton had both the sun and wind in their favour in the opening session, but inability to finish off promising movements, and Idck of thrust in the inside backs cost them vital points.. They needed at least 15 points to have a chance of holding the speedy opposing side after the changeover, but South Canterbury displaying solid defence,'broke even at the interval, and thereafter had the shield in safe keeping.' < The Ashburton forwards battled solidly and made a number of good runs, but there was an absence of concerted effort. The backs saw plenty of the ball, but they were opposed by a speedier line, whose tackling was solid. White gave fine service from the scrum; in fact, he suffered nothing in comparison with his more experienced vis-a-vis, Parsons, but the rest of the line, apart from their solid tackling, could make little impression. The gem. of the match was a brilliant 60-yard run by M. P. Goddard, who cut the defence to ribbons to touch down under the posts. This was Goddard’s only opening, for otherwise he was well marked by McGregor. Bradley gave a sound display at fullback, particularly against the wind, his handling in the face of the sun being splendid. McCrea toiled solidly in the pack, and in the loose was well supported by Ashworth and Hill. Considering the strength of the wind. South Canterbury should have scored more than they did in the second half, which was not without its bright moves by the challengers, who scored one gift; try.

Run of the Play

After five minutes’ play, Ashburton scored when their forwards came through a ruck on the South Canterbury 25 line. Small broke clear and passed to Hill who scored near the posts. Bradley’s kick hit the posts. Ashburton 3, South Canterbury 0. Ashburton kept up the attack and within two minutes were back on the South Canterbury line. Three times the visitors heeled from scrums for their backs to race away. Solid taclciftg kept'tliem from piercing the defence. Kicking high with the wind the Ashburton backs kept play in their opponents’ Twice M. Goddard raced through the Ashburton defence to be caught by converging backs. Eventually the home team set up a hot attack which carried them to the Ashburton 25 where the visitors were penalised and Praftley kicked an easy penalty. Ashburton 3, South Canterbury 3. ; ; The spell ended without further : ;Score. i Although the Ashburton forwards made a brief burst to the S6uth Can- , terbury 25 on resuming play, the home forwards soon took play back to midfield where Goddard received. The , centre clapped on the pace and swung down the touchline swerving and sidestepping brilliantly. Sheer pace took him past the full-back and he capped off a brilliant 60-yard run by scoring under the posts. Prattley converted. South Canterbury 8, Ashburton 3. Within a minute South Canterbury came back and Prattley kicked a penalty goal. South Canterbury 11, Ashburton 3. Play remained in midfield until a ruck near the gi’andstand toucbline saw McLeod, the Ashburton leftwinger, snap up the ball and break through two tackles. A powerful runner, he burst past J. Goddard and scored in the corner. Bradley’s kick missed, / South Canterbury 11, Ashburton 6. It was South Canterbury’s turn. Pratt received on the 25 line, sold a dummy and tore through the gap to score beside the posts. Prattley converted. - South Canterbury 16, Ashburton 6. Play was stopped while L. A. Grant received attention for a head injury. He retired, being replaced by C. Fitzgerald. Ashburton were penalised and Prattley kicked bis third goal. The match ended with the score: > South Canterbury 19, Ashburton 6. The referee was Mr F. Williamson (Oamaru). Juniors Have Win Eight hard-working forwards won the day for Ashburton when Ashburton junior representatives beat South Canterbury senior B by 14 points to 11 in a curtain-raiser to the Hanan Shield match at Timaru. For Ashburton R. Paterson kicked a penalty goal, scored a try and converted a try, while both P. Roulston, half-back, and H. Tate, left-wing, scored tries. South Canterbury’s points bame from tries by right-winger J. Dunn, another by G. Fenton and F. Brown working together and a third by the centre, K. McLaren. One was converted.

THIRD GRADE MATCH IN ASHBURTON With the senior and junior representative teams at Timaru on Saturday there was little activity on the Rughy front in Ashburton. The main game in. the Domain was a third grade trial match in which the Possibles narrowly defeated the Probables by 10 to 9 in a rather ragged exhibition. The only other'fixture set down for playing in the Domain on Saturday afternoon was a fourth grade match between Technical Old Boys and Methven. This was, however, not played as Technical defaulted to the country team. Mr J. R. Bryce was the referee ot the third grade match. OTAGO BEATS HAWKE’S BAY (P.A.) NAPIER, August 80. In the fastest and most exciting representative Rugby match seen in