RANFURLY SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 189, 9 August 1920, Page 7

RANFURLY SHIELD.

RETAINED BY WELLINGTON. A HARD, EXCITING GAME. WITH PLAY HONOUiRS EVEN. BUT TriE POINTS TO THE SOUTH EIINTCRS. The first Ranfurly Shield football match ' plnyeJ In Auckland since th.it memorable, same on Potters Paddock in 1013 (when Taranakl did whnt eleven other provinces had tried and failed to d o 'by lifting the shield from Auckland), was contested on ■the Domain on Saturday. Incidentally, on this OL-cntlou Auckland were the challengers, and Ihiir opponents were Wellington, consequently it was not surprising that a crowd variously estimated at from I'J.OOO to H.ijm turned out, braving the threat of mill that was in the air, In the "hope of (seeing something akin to the WellingtonAm ku n<l co lit sat or treasured iiiemuriiis, when the game was a battle of giants in the Rugby world. A pleasing preliminary incident of the game was the public applause that arose .-pontaneoiisly from the spectntn.s as ;i hospital wheeled-eh-air wns pushed into ,1 prominent plnce. and .7. Rogers, the Knulisli Northern Union player who sustali ed a broken leg in his team's match nsniiiM Auckland a fortnight ago, was jc. prised as the occupant of the chair. 'I 1 i' 1 l.iyoi.~ also gave the visiting player a ihe.-r. The game proved one of changing fnttunes, for Auckland finished the lirst spell with a lead of eight points to three. and in the beginning of the second spell Wellington pur on twenty points to Auckland's four, but in the finish Auckland came again, nnd the game iinlshed 21-31, iii favour of Wellington. AUCKLAND'S FIRST SPELL Wellington had first advantage of pinying with a slight breeze in their favolir, end the sun at their backs, nnd Kane! Wilson's return of the opening kick saw play st.irt just outside Auckland's twentylive. Laxon and Alexander beaded tin Aucklnnd breakaway and the blue forwards went over the opposilion to Wellington s twenty-ftve. A beady kick by Killlly enabled Laxon to follow up nnd set up an Auckland attack, but the Wellington forwards defended sturdily nnd offside piny by Auckland gave the defenders a free-kick, which sent the game back to half-way. From Hue play Wellington opened out a pawing rush, in which Tilyard kicked on, but lie overdid it nud AlugMnn forced. Play from the drop-out settled :H Auckland's twenty-live, and Wellington set up an attack which was relieved by 11 breakaway by Hamilton. Jn open play the Wellington pack showed to advantage and hunted back to Auckland* twenty-Bre. Iv the ruck Wellington got possession, and opened up a passing rush, but Grlerson cut off and put in a run to Olalln before transferring to Laxon. The latter, when overhauled nt the line threw the hall wide, and in th e <-hase for it Singe got there and scored a try, which. Laxou Converted. Auckland 5 Wellington 0 From the kick-off play went to the Aucklnnd quarter, but n breakaway by Singe pill the Northerners again on the attack. Wellington resorted to high kicking, and Kingston showed up in his fielding and kicking, which kept play to the centre till Auckland Infringed, and use of the sideline enabled the visitors to (jet to Auckland's twenty-live. " In open dribbling work, with Arnold prominent. the local men relieved the situation. The game at this .=tnge was a battle of the forwards, and the visitors were using the elde-llne keenly to get all the advantage they could out of the wind. A change came when McCnhe opened np n passing bout for the visitors, nnd the ball travelling smartly along the line of backs to Barker, who was brought down by Murray near the Auckland line, and Kingston obtained possession and elenrcd. Mixed passing nnd forward work with the pace a fast one. saw Auckland attacking, and. Hnyward showed to advantake In the forward play. The Aucklanders gradually worked close to the Wellington line, where Earlly got possession, and In a tricky run wriggled "hie way through the ruck, and scored a try that ■I-axon failed to convert. Auckland o Wellington ..7.7.7.7.". S A breakaway by Fitzgerald had Kingston in trouble, and he was penalised for hanging on to the ball. From the kick Wellington again opened lip an attack in a passing ■bout, but again Tilyard dropped his pass nnd an Auckland forward started n counter limit, which was carried -on hy Singe and •Murray to the Wellington line. Here the Auckland forwards threw the ball about ■wildly, and M. Nlcholls Intercepted and opened up a passing bout in which the ball passed through several hands before -Malln was brought down at the Auckland line, and lost the bull, enabling Aucklnnd to force. V/ o ™, the drop-ont Auckland cleared, when 11. Mcnolls opened up a passing bout, that went right along, to the three-quarter Hne to Barker, who put iv a dash to the Auckland line, where he was brought down by Kingston and lost the liall. The Wellington forwards pressed the attack, and crowded over the line, birt were penalised, and Auckland cleared from the free kick. From the centre the Wellington forwards broke away In a sustained dribbling rush, with Harkness nnd Peace prominent. By beautiful footwork they went through the Auckland backs, and had Kingston in trouble. He attempted to pass hack when over tie line, nut thp opposing forwards rushed the ball, nnd Caleinn! got the try. M. Nleholls pnt the bnll over the bar, but It touched an opponent's hand in transit. .ip-kland 8 Wellington fl Wellington forwards were now showing to ndvantnge in -the lor>se work, and for a time pressed Auckland. Eventually the local men cleared, but in attempting to open up a passing rush Grierson wag muzzled by Af. Ntcholls. and the Wellington forwards, headed by 'Hiizhos and Wilson, broke away to the local 25. where play was ■when the whistle went for half-time. WELLINGTON , RUSH TO THE LEAD. The second spell opened af hnlf-wnr as the result of a good return by Kingston of the starting kick. A number of kicking exehnnges ended without advantage to either side. A free to Wellington looked like letting them to the attack, hut they "fniled to get the line, and a long series of kicking, exchanges ended in Auckland , * ffivour. Klnge had a shot at son] -which brought only a force by Wellington. Laxon marked the drop-out and kicked hish. with the result that Hamilton got under It and t!'c Auckland forwards went awny nnd opened out r> their backs in a ptiseing botit that «aw Nicholson hit the corner flag. At the centre the visitors opened up n series of passing bouts thnt ended in M. Nlcholls getting through tn the Aiv-kland If r>e. where he kicked, nnd n scramble for t>ie ball snw "Rang!" Wilson get tie'try. Malm goaled. Well) niton S Auckland 8 After the game resnmed Wellington livened up their play and went to the attnclt In n series of passing boute. At Aticklnnd's 2o H. Nlcholls opened up a bout thnt looked like a -sure score, when Tilyard sent n wild pass to' Barker, who wns ran slit with the hall. In the scriim Auckland Infringed, anil H. Nlcholls had a .shot of zoal. The bull struck the bnr and rebounded Into the hands of Cil"lnnl under ■tie posts and he scored. Nlcholls goaled.' Wellington 13 Aucklnnd 8 • KINGSTON POTS A GOAL. The game resumed strenuously at the centre till Hayward broke away from the scrum. Tilyard came to the relief, his ■ ienring kick goinir to Kingston. The rullbnck took the ball on the fly, ran up fast and potted a goal from nearly forty yards out. Wellington 13 Auckland 12 A series of kicking exchanges left the gnme at about centre, where the game hung for some time. From a ecrum Earlly opened up a passing bout, but Laxon's pass was intercepted by Corner, who ran to Auckland's 23, -where keen play endued with Wellington endeavouring to get Wlelr backs going. Eventually Tilyard kicked too bard and Auckland forced. Wellington etill pressed the attack, but were met with a stern defence, and H. Nicholls tried to get through and just failed, but hia supporting forwards crowded on Auckland's line, and there were three minutes of strenuous forward work there before Auckland managed to cleiu. Eventunlly, by using the sideline Kingston and Earllv got Aucklnnd back ro Imlf-wny. • Here a bad pass by Earlly enabled the blacks to get away agnln. and the forward rush, in which Peace, Price and Hnrkness were prominent, went to Auckland's line. The Auckland forwards Wattled clear, but once more In a close dribbling rush the black forwards t)rosc

ovp°r ,§ S, th £ °PP oaltl °n and forced their way -NicLlls e go£ P ed. n ' here llUglle,i SCOred - *• Wellington ... iq Auckland *. 17.!.'"!!"!" ii> A HCRBICANE FINISH. Tt^,'ii- kl f nfl no "" ■ woke "P and pressed the ™»»i« k m thp kll ' k -°fr- They trfed a Inhn f B ". t, °P pne,l "P fr"m the" ruck, but '""'J 111 missed his pass ami Auckland lost ground. i,- ro ni the Une-oiit thp visitors Up r-? bout and Tilynrd Kicked. Kingston fumbled the ball nn.l nas caught in possession by a following forward. Ho passed back" to llrieroon, ™ ™ In difficulties at once, and a nick nil the line saw the ball K n out to (Barker, who picked i: up neatly and ran behind ttio post to score. Nicholls again goaled: ■Wellington. ... on Auckland 7.7. ,'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. l!i When the game resumed Aucklnnd began to snake things np and were on the attack when [hey were awarded a free, nud Laxon placed n goal: Wellington 2.'1 Auckland j j The kick-off went tn Singe who ran up ami kicked high. TllyardV return went to (.rlerson, who put in n tricky run ami sent on to Hamilton, who tirew a Ion; piiss wide when at the line. His supporting; forward* rushed the hall over and Taylor' scored a try, which Laxon converted: Wellington 2™ Auckland at With only a couple of minutes to pro Auckland went desperately to the attack, but could not mnnaee to increase their score before the whistle blew, with the scores: Wellington •_>:! Auckland j> Mr. C. Atkinson, of Wansanui, was referee. TRIBUTE APPRECIATED. John Rogers, the Knclisli half-back, who was injured in the first came of the tour here against Auckland, is rapidly couvalpseine in the Auckland Hospltni. lie was out to see the Ilanfurly 'Shield Rugby match on the Domain on 'Saturday, and is lil"hly appreciative of the graceful trlbiit" T>aid him by the Auckland and Wellington Kugby men as they lined out. CRA'MMAK V. SAORED HEART. The Grammar School v. Sacred Heart ninte-h. plnyert n< a i-uruilu-ralser to the Auckland v. Wellington same on Saturday, was won by (.raiumar by -I.S points to :(. The Grammar backs gave a tine dlwnlny. and outclassc<l their opponents. Tries were scored by Williams (-1). Stewart I. , !). Freeman (3). lfwersen. and Hndeley; three of them were converted by lfwersen and one .by Badeley. F.ir t«lic- losers l.awsuii kicked n penalty goal. HOUSE MATCHES. fieorjte Court, Ltd., Xi, boat Tatrerstields, Ltd.. 0. Scorers of tries were Pettersnn, Styeh, Herdtgan, Limmer, and two penalty goaLs were kicked. Smeetons. Ltd.. in, beat Hnti-hlnsoiw, Ltd., 3. The praine was fast and willing. HARDING CHALLENGE SHIELD. RETAINED BY WHAXGAKEI. BAY OF ISLANDS BEATEN' T.Y 12 TO 3, (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondents WHAN'GATOBI, Saturday. The first rep. match for 'he Harding Challenge Shield was played at Kensington Park today, between the Whangarei rep. team and the Bay of Islands' reps, and wns won by Whanjrnrei (the holders of the shield) by 12 points to :i. May was very open, Whnngnrel ImckN showing to advantage. Itaiii fell heavily during the second half enabling the Bay of Islands forwards to put In better work. Bay of Islands put up a good losing battle. The Whangarcl combination throughout proved superior. For Whangarel four tries were scored, none being converted, by Going, L. Weßton, .1. Little, and Finlayson. For Bay of Islands .Tones scored a meritorious try from nearly half way. Mr. S. Westnn was referee.

A curtain raiser between Whangarei junior reps, and Bay of Islands junior reps. resulted in a win for Whaugarei for ](J points to ;i. For Whangarei Kivers scored two tries, Young one, and K. Lamb two. l.'or Bay of Islands Reliihardt scored a try. HAMILTON RUGBY. CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION. FRINKTON WINS THE CUP. The deciding mntnli in the Hamilton Rugby T'nion competition was played on Saturday, when the Old Boy* and City met. Had the City fifteen won it would have meant a play-off with Krankton for the honours. However. Old Boys won comfortably by V> to li. The state of the ground hardly allowed a good display of Kugbv. the ground and hall being verj- greasy, nnd rain falling lienvily most of the time. City in the latter half made one or two determined attempts to even matters, but I he defence of the Old Boys' backs was sure Mr. I". French handled the game in a creditable manner.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ■HAMILTON, Saturday. Grnfton IV. 8, beat Hamilton 111. .'). Hamilton High School Old Boys 13, beat City Seniors «. THAMES V. G'OLDKIELDS. FAST, OPEN GAME. WAIHI, Saturday. A Kugby football match between the Thames and the Goldflelds was played on the recreation reserve, Wnlhl, this afternoon. At hnlf time the scores wore: <:ohlfipkls 18, Thames 3, Goldflelds won the toss and nfter the game had been in progress a few minutes. Hentb kicked n penalty goal for Goldflelds. Shortly after this Gtlpln got over the line, after fast following up, nnd Heath converted. Goldflelds S. Thames 0. Goldflelds had registered their eight points In eight minutes. In the second quarter Prusslng kicked a penalty goal for Thames, (iolcWelds 8, Thnnies :\. OolUfieMs then attacked, Delamore Retting over the Thames line. He also added the major points: Goldflelds, 18: Thames, 3. In the second spell Prusslng opened np n fine passing rusti, making a tricky run right through the field. Smith eventually took a nass. md, after a fast sprint, crossed Goldflelds , line. Prussing failed with the kick.—Goldflelds 13, TJinmes 0. Thames principally on the defence in their own twenty-live, but later the came hetame more open. Goldflelds. however, acain pressed, and fast Play took -place iv Thames twenty-five. The same" elided— G-nldflelds 1" Thames G WAXGAXUI AXn MANAWATU DRAW. WAXGAXUI, Saturday. The Rugby match Manawatu v. Wanganul was drawn, 8 points each. HAWKE'S BAY V. SOUTH ISLAND COUNTRY. NAPIER,-Satnrrlny. A fast and exciting Kujrby came was witnessed here this afternoon, South lslaml Country Reps., defeating Iliuvke's liny by 1" points to I). H was a flue open exhibition. Many of Hawke's Bay's efforts to score were frustrated by the visitors backs' excellent tackling. In the first spell (Jebbiinml Nelson scored for the visitors, and Thomas for the Bay. In Hip second hnlf. play was very even. Fitzgerald got over for South Island, nr»l for Bay Kivell scored a great try iv the corner. Nelson kicked a penult} , goal for the visitors, all Imug converted. MiHLBOnOTOH HEATS WELLINGTON B.

WELLINGTON, Saturday Inres«aut rain until well into the aftcrnooi made the grounds in a very bad state foi the fnothnll matches to-day. Marlborougl met Wellington B in the senior representhtlve Rugby mutch, showing to good advan tase under most unfavourable conditions The came was mostly in the nature of a mud scramble, chiefly confined to the for wards but was nevertheless interesting During the first spell Marlborough were dis tinctly superior, gaining a lead of 10 points Wellington played better in the second spellbut the visitors showed equal improvement flnallv winning by 21 points to 6. Tries foi the winners were scored by K. O'Brien (2). p O'Brien, Harding, and Connolly one each E* King converted three. For Wellington Scott and Brooks each scored vii uncoilk good game between Wellington and St Patrick's Collece was won by WellingtoL by 9 points to 3. '