BACK AFTER 20 YEARS. " HOME AGAIN." CLEAR CUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 214, 10 September 1934, Page 13

BACK AFTER 20 YEARS.

" HOME AGAIN."

CLEAR CUT.

DEFEAT OF HAWKE'S BAY, J SEASON'S RUGBY SURPRISE. MARGIN OF FOUR POINTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Saturday. Glorious weather prevailed and the gjound was in splendid order for the Hawke's Bay-Auckland Ranfurly Shield watch to-day, which was won by Auckland by IS to 14. The crowd of spectators was estimated at 0000. The match marked the jubilee celebrations of the Hawfke's Bay Rugby Union, the game being preceded by a parade of exHawke's Bay representatives since the early 'eighties. The Bay team, playing in black uniforms, kicked off, the early play being confined to the Bay half. Vartan was caught badly in possession, and matters looked dangeroiis for Bay, who were defending hard for some minutes when Corner secured from a scruin and sent Hedge and Caughey away, the latter scoring. Heazlewood goaled. A mark by Bush stopped a Hawke's Bay rush, the challengers having much the better of the game at this Le Quesne put Bay on attack witli°a good line kick, and from a scrum Steerc went over, but the referee ruled a free kick, the challengers clearing. Auckland almost scored a moment later, a knock-on spoiling a certain chance, but from a scrum Hedge went through in a flash, Heazlewood converting. A dropped pass by Evans lost a great chance for Bay, but from a line-out Steere made a great rim and passed to Reid, who scored near the posts. Evans missed with the kick. Auckland were repeatedly penalised in the scrums, but despite this they were setting a merry pace, proving very fast compared with the Bay team. Near the line they were particularly dangerous. Bay added to their total with a brilliant cut-in by Apsey, who passed to Rolls to score. Again Evans, missed an easy kick. Soon after Bay were penalised, Heazlewood landing a penalty goal. Bay were now repeatedly attacking, but just •before the interval Corner sent Bush over, Heazlewood goaling. At the interval the scorc was— Auckland 18 Hawke's 8ay...: ■ 6 At the opening of the second spell Hawke's Bay were awarded three penalty kicks in quick succession, and after the third Mataira crossed the line, but no try was allowed. A scrum was ordered, from which Smith went through under the posts. Bradley goaled. The Hawke's Bay forwards were now going great guns and playing desperately to come within striking distance, but they met a stubborn Resistance. A penalty kick at the goal mouth gave Bradley a chance, which he • missed. Hawke's Bay were having all the better of the game,-but found it diflfi- - eult to penetrate the defencc, Auckland making good use of the line. A series of line kicks put Auckland on the offensive, and a penalty gu vo Heazlewood $ chanpe, but lie missed. A determined caupter-P-ttack by Hawke's Bay was checked by a mark by Heazlewood. With only 10 minutes left Hawke's •Bay's chances of retaining the shield were not bright, particularly when ; Auckland took the play to the defenders' corner. Hawke's Bay cleared, and made I a desperate bid to pull the . game out of "the lire,, Reid being pulled back after; crossing. Hawke's Bay kept up a ho_t ' attack, and Le Quesne added three points from a mark. With only , four minutes left'Hawke's "Bay staged a fighting finish, but time .won, and the final score was —. Auckland ................ 18 Hawke's Bay..'. 14 i SPEEDY REARGUARD. THRUST BY AUCKLAND BACKS ; CAUGHEY AND HEDGE DANGEROUS. (By' Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") ■ NAPIER, Saturday.: The speedy Auckland backs severely troubled Ilawke's Bay in the early stages, Hadley giving his backs plenty of opportunities, which they were quick to put to account. Repeatedly the blue and white line swept into action, the youthful Hedge and Caughey carving holes in the defence. Tries were scored by this pair in magnificent efforts. Over eagerness lost the visitors the advantage on many occasions. _ Frequent penalties were awarded against their forwards, allowing Bay to clear from awkward corners. McLean, Knight, Pepper and Bush battled magnificently, :the Auckland captain on one occasion covering 00 yards in a brilliant burst in which he cleared the defencc, only to 'find his pass infield unaccepted. In addition to monopolising the scrums Auckland had more than their share of the ball in line-outs, McLean repeatedly taking possession. Corner, behind the Auckland scrum, played a heady game, 'getting the backs away smartly and going down on the ball when the J>ig Bay pack looked dangerous. The Hawke's Bay rearguard were much slower than the challengers, their line lacking the penetration of their adversaries. When they did get going the Auckland ba.cks were quickly on top of tliern, and the ball seldom reached the wingers, Smith and Apsey. The former was in the limelight occasionally, but he was generally dropped by Kedgley before he could get under way. The defenders were in the ascendency for a long period early in the second spell, and came near •scoring several times, opportunities being thrown to the winds through mistakes brought about by over-eagerness. Although the first spell found honours in the forward division fairly even, the Bay pack in tho second spell asserted definite superiority, worrying the Auckland defense with spappy, short passing lushes, which invariably broke down when success looked probable. With a substantial lead in their favour, Auckland made good use of the line, preferring to play safe rather than to swing the backs into the fray. The Auckland forwards had slowed down considerably half way through the second spell, and from then on the Bay jack held a definite ediyantag-e.

The defence of the Auckland backs J compensated for this disadvantage, and : although the Northerners failed to score i after half-time, they prevented Hawke's Eav from reaching their total. There was a great reception for the Auckland team as they left the iield. I' Although Auckland's victory was narrow, the work of the entire team was magnificent, and success was well earned. The Bay lost the. game through failure with goal-kicking, no fewer ■ than 10 points being lost as a result of easy kicks being missed. Auckland, on the other hand, pos- : sessed a trump card in Heazlewood, : who found the goal posts with several ; magnificent efforts. In addition, he played a sound game. Throughout the ] clash Auckland produced Kugby of an 1 exceptionally high standard, the visitors giving the best display seen in i Napier for several seasons. j Although the victors certainly did ] not have matters all their own way, they were definitely superior in the first spell, and were very little behind ! the defenders after the change-over. ! The shield is to be presented to the Aucklandcrs at the jubilee dinner this evening. I

HISTORY OF SHIELD. RECOVERED BY FIRST HOLDER WANDERINGS OF THE TROPHY. ' It is twenty-one years since Auckland last held the Ranfurly Shield. Tho following historical survey may bo of interest to the many Aucklandcrs who "knew" it would come back on Saturday last: — Auckland, the initial holders of the Ranfurly Shield, got it by award for being tho New Zealand champion team of 1902; beating Canterbury 19 —3, Wellington IS —5, and Taranaki 21—3. Curiously, the first time t'he trophy was ever played for, August C, 1004, the hereditary enemy won, C —3, but Harry Kiernan and Co. got it back within a year, after E. Wrigley and Co. (Waiiarapa) had given the Wellingtonians a nasty fright, while the 1905 all-New Zealand team was in Great Britain. The big Wairarapa three-quarter should, most certainly have been in tho 1905 All Blacks. Then Auckland held the trophy for eight years until Taranaki, on September 4, 1013, won it at Potter's Paddock by 14 points to Jl. Wellington got the Shield back at Stratford (12 —0) in 1914. Then came the war, and the new challenging rule, under which the holders lost to Southland (game away from home) in September, 1020, the maroons annihilating Teddy Roberts' Wellingtonians, 17 —0. There was a bit of fun before that season finished. Otago made'representations to Southland for their return game at Dunedin to bo made a challenge, but Southland naturally refused to waive the rule providing that no challenge could be lodged after August 31. Otago had already been beaten by Wellington, at Dunedip, Teddy Roberts, the ' Wellington skipper, potting two goals. Otago subsequently won the Southland, match at Dunedin, 7—3 (another potted goal), and as tho dark blues had won, 11 —9, at Invercargill earlier, Otago's cup of sorrow overflowed again that season. On June 3, 1921, the Otagans had first "pop" at the Shield, but the maroons held it, 10—S, only to drop the trophy to Wellington (under the new rule), 13 —28, at Athletic Park three months later. Hawie's Bay "Arrives." After that tho subsequent fate of the championship was: —1922: Hawke's Bay won at Wellington, 19—9, and held it until June 3, 1927, when Cundy's spectacular goal-kicking at Napier gave Wairarapa victory, 15 —11. Then followed the never-to-be-forgotten battle of Solway, in July, 1927, when Hawke's Bay won, 21 —10, but the Shield was awarded to Wairarapa because of a breach of the residential regulations, tlio Bay playing Watty Barclay (a Dannevirke' veteran who had removed to Auckland and played here in a representative match for the blue and whites) before he had been three weeks back in Napier, an S.O.S. having been sent to him for the famous game at Masterton, Canterbury first annexed 'the shield in 1927, when Manawhenua (who had taken it from Wairarapa 18 —16 the same winter as the Battle of Solway) were defeated 17—0 at Falmerston North.. Wairarapa recovered the trophy g—7 when A." E. Cooke scored in the last minute at Christchurch in 1928, Southland were the next holders, capturing the shield at • Carterton, 19—16, in 192j). Wellington went after it to Invercargill in 1030, bringing the title back north by 12 points to 3, After Canterbury recaptured it at Athletic Park (B—6 in 1031), when Charlie Oliver (New Zealand international cricketer and Kugby player) scored for A. W. lioberts (also a Dominion rep, cricketer) to convert and win the game. Canterbury's Second Tenure. Subsequently Canterbury successfully defended 15 challenges until July 21 of this year, when Hawke's _ Bay in a special challenge once again came into possession of the shield, beating the red &nd b!a< ks 9—o at Lancaster Park. The biggest fright Canterbury previously got was on September 10, 1933, when Taranaki drew with them after leading . ]2—B, 12—11, 15—11, Kay Hazelhurst ■ saving the scarlet and blacks with a potted goal. After Hawke's Bay beat Canterbury this winter, the magpies successfully staved off a couple of challenges— i August IC, beat Wanganui, 39—16; ■ September 1, beat Taranaki, 23 —8. 1 Auckland from 1005 to 1913 success--1 fully, defended 23 challenges (including ' two draws) before the amber-and-blacks conquered, while in their five sea- ' sous' tenure of the shield Hawke's Bay 1 stalled off 24 challenges until Wairarapa took it on June 3, 1927. Just a line about Auckland's no-de-cision bouts. They were:— 1910. —Drew with. Wellington 3 —3. 1912.—Drew with Otago 5—5, the dark blues' skipper being Paddy Kheeban . (now of Stanley Bay), who made that wonderful speech at Auckland's jubilee dinner on September 15 last year. ' The only major union which has not held the Ranfurly Shield is Otago. The L dark blues have been unlucky, as they > led Auckland s—o5 —0 until close to time in - 1912, and at Christchurch, on August 26 of last,year 3 led s—o at half-time.

Blue and Whites v. Magpies. Results of all Auckland-: Hawke's Bay games:— ISB9—At Napier, Auckland won, B—3. IS94—At Auckland, drawn, jjo score. 1805—At Napier, Auckland won, 10 —0. 1808—At Auckland, Auckland won, 18—10. 1003—At Napier, Auckland won, 20—3. 1000—At Auckland, Auckland won, 28 —3. 1007—At Auckland (for shield), Auckland won, 12—3. 1007—At Napier, Hawke's Bay won, 10—0. 1010—At Auckland (for shield), Auckland won, 11—3. 1023—At Napier (lor shield), Hawke's Bay won, 20—0. 1923—At Auckland, Auckland won, 17—9. 1024—At Napier (for shield), Hawke's Bay won, 23—(i. 1925—At Auckland, drawn, 9—9. 1920—At Napier (lor shield), Hawke's Bay won, 11—11. 1927—At Auckland, Auckland won, 26—0. 1928—At Napier, Hawke's Bay won, 21—8. 1929 —At Auckland, Auckland won, 32—0. 1930—At Napier, Auckland won, B—G.8 —G. 1931 —At Auckland, Auckland won, 19 —14. 1931 —Ac .Napier, Hawke's Buy won, 19 —8. 1032 —At Hustings, Auckland won, 10— S. 1033—At Auckland, Auckland won, 21 —17. 1034—At Napier (.for shield), Auckland won, If —14 Played 23, Auckland won 15, Hawke's Bay won 0, drawn 2. Points: For Auckland, 335 ; for Hawke's Bay, 212. The 1024 game at Eden Park is. not included in the results, as it was a group engagement, in which Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay-Bay of Plenty met Northland-Auckland-Waikato, the Northern combination (with Karl Ifwersen replacing Vic. Bade ley when seriously injured), winning this All Black "trial," IS—9. NORTHLAND'S AMBITION. Members of the North Auckland Rugby Union are of the opinion that, although a meeting lias yet to De held at Whangarei, a challenge will be issued to Auckland for the llanfurly Shield. It is felt in football circles that a satisfactory Ranfurly Shield game is what is required to put Rugby football in the North really "on the map," • Though this may be a fine thing for the game up North, after beating Auckland on four of the last five engagements, it is doubtful if the New Zealand Rugby Union will sanction a challenge that cannot comply with the regulation that challenges must be lodged by August 31.

AUCKLAND B REPS. WIN. / SOUTH AUCKLAND GO DOWN, 12—22. Speed and pace by the Auckland hacks when in possession gave the B representative team a clear-cut win over South Auckland in the bis match of the Rugby day at Eden Park on Saturday. Auckland won by 22 points to 12. The score should have been higher. There was little to commend the opening minutes, but after some haphazard play the South Auckland forwards settled down to show fine lighting qualities. In the next few minutes the visiting forwards swarmed the Auckland line to put the defence under a severe test. Two fast raids by the visitors led to success, Cossey going over amid a swarm of attackers and defenders. The kick failed. Now Auckland's backs made frequent attempts to open up, and although they got under way in spectacular fashion several times, their efforts were always successfully smothered. After a spell of half-hearted forward play the Auckland backs swung into action again and Lewis made a beautiful opening. Away went tho threequarter line in full cry but, Turbott, in his selfishness, failed to send the ball to his wing and a certain try was lost. Two attacks later saw Brown, the Auckland wing, score a try following a good move. He took hiß pass at a jog-trot, then clapped on the pace and raced hard for the corner to score. Aro missed the kick. Led by Guise, South Auckland's forwards launched a solid attack, and for a minute Auckland were on solid but sure defence. Throwing the ball about and making the game open with every opportunity, the Auckland backs called the tune, and often there was real danger for the visitors. A counter attack by South Auckland saw a penalty come for off-side play by the Auckland backs, and Guise landed a good goal. Continuing their open tactics, the Auckland backs moved away in a good attack shortly before half-time. Turbott pnssed to Aro, who sent the ball back inlield to Turbott, who in turn passed Infield to Thomas for the fast forward to score. Aro converted easily and at half-time the score was Auckland S, South Auckland 0. For the first ten minutes of the second spell, Auckland held complete command, and the backs raced away in a series of fast aud dangerous attacks, and in one of those, following a scrannblo near the line, Brown went over. The kick missed, but Auckland were five points ahead. Again and again Auckland's forwards and backs shot away in passing bouts, and they did everything but score. Then came a gloria ous counter by South Auckland, in which forwards and backs, handing the ball one to the other, threaded their way through a puzzled Auckland defence. A try looked certain, but the shrewd work of Matheson and the fast covering of Turbott saved. Into attack again went Auckland, with the backs flashing away for Brown to score his third good try. Aro goaled. It was not long before Auckland were back again. This time Turbott made an opening, and after three men had handled, Morgan scored after a good passing bout. Aro missed the kick. South Auckland's forwards set to work with a will and swept play to tho Auckland line. Finding the Auckland defence, at sixes and sevens, Moyle shot over for a good try, but Guise missed the kick. A fast and spectacular counter by Auckland saw the visitors defending, and from a scrum Aro made a clever opening to give BrO'wn another try. Just before the end, South Auckland came with a whirlwind attack, from which Mcßobbie scored. Guiso missed tho kick. The game ended: Auckland 22 South Auckland 12 OTHER EEP. GAMES. OTAGO BEATS WELLINGTON. At Dunedin, on a wet ground, Otago beat Wellington by 6 points (try and penalty goal) to 5 (goal from a try). Wellington Colts defeated Wanganui at Wellington by 18 to 8. At Christchurch, Canterbury beat Wairarapa by 28 to 23. South Canterbury beat Ashburton, . ]f) Marlborough beat Nelson, 17 —10, and retained the Seddon Shield. SEVEN-A-SIDE. PONSONBY AND MARIST FOR FINAL. As a composite curtain-raiser to the re- : presentative match, a sevens-side tournament was staged with players of all the ' leading clubs taking part. Conditions ' were ideal for such a contest a!nd games i were full of exhilarating incidents, brilliant performance alternating with amusing, ' though ragged, play. Games were each of ' two spells of six minutes, and the time was i long enough for the fast pace that was set. , After the eliminating rounds had been 1 completed four teams were left in. namely, ; Eden A and Eden B, Marist and Ponsonby, Pcusonby had rather an easy win over Eden A by 10 points to 2, and Marists won on (be 'toss of the coin after tieing with Eden . The teams left in who will play the final on September 15 are as follow:— Ponsonby : Fraser, W. Knight, Jamieson, Pearman. Lendrum. Ramsey and Moses. Marist: J. Bailey. Clark, Irvine, Bell-Booth. Logan and Toye. Details are as follow: — First Round.—Eden B beat Technical. ' College Rifles beat Grammar A on the toss ' after a tie, Marist beat University, Grafton • A beat North Shore by default, Manukau - b bent Ponsonby B by default, Eden A beat Grammar B. Grufton B beat Otahuhu, Ponsonby A bent Manukau A. Second Round. —Eden B bent College Rifles."Marist beat Grafton A, Eden A bpat Manukau B, Ponsonby A beat Grafton B. Third Round. —Ponsonby A beat Eden A, Marist beat Eden B on the toss after a tie. : JUNIOR BOYS. k SENIOR GRADE. • Manukau 11, beat Takapuna 0. INTERMEDIATE GRADE, t Parnell 3, drew with Eden 3. > Suburbs 8, beat' Northcote 3. r JUNIOR GRADE. 1 Eastern Suburbs 0, beat Suburbs 0. 5 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL. 1 Takapuna 6, beat Newton 3, _ „

GRADE GAMES. JUNIOR GRADE. Ponsonby 9, beat Grafton 3. 11.M.5. Diomede 9, beat College Rifles S. Manukau 3, drew with Suburbs 3. Northcote 2G, beat Takapuna 8. Section Final.—(Jtahuhu 6, beat Waitemata 5. THIRD GRADE. College Rifles 30, beat Eden 8. INTERMEDIATE GRADE.' Grammar 0, beat Suburbs 3. College Rifles beat Graiton by default. I'arnell 17, beat Y.M.C.A. 0. Ngaruawahia 22, beat Maiist 19. Technical. Old Boys 6, beat Eastern Suburbs 3. Pousonby 27, beat Pukekolie 3. FOURTH GRADE. Suburbs 2'.), beat Eden S. Marists 0, beat Takapuna 0. FIFTH GRADE. Grammar G, beat Suburbs 3. Tech. 0.8 17, beat Takapuna 3. Marist 0.8. l'J, beat Grafton G. Eden 0, beat i'onsonby h. SIXTH GRADE. Suburbs 8, beat Northcote 0. SPECIAL MATCH. Takapuna Grammar Old Boys 19, beat Rotorua High School Old Boys 3. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HAMILTON. Hamilton 22, beat Cambridge 3. TAUMARPNUI. Fisher Cup Final. —Jlununui 6, beat Taumaninui third grade 3. MAT AM ATA. Cup Challenge Match: Morrinsvillc 6, beat Matamata (holders) 3. Boyce Cup: Matamata G, beat Morrinsvillc 3. Cuckscy Cup: Morrinsvillc (challengers) 8, beat Matamata 7. This is the first time the Cucksey Cup has changed hands since it was presented three years ago. THAMES. Birch Cup Challenge: Thames 39, beat Coromandel 3. Juniors: Grammar Old Boys 8, drew with Thames G. PAEROA. Taranaki Colts 14, beat Thames Valley 9. Juniors: Paeroa Juniors 19, beat Manukau Third Grade 5. WAIHI. Waihi Junior Representatives J. 6, beat Manukau Intermediates 3. TE PUKE. Shalfoon Shield: Te Puke Juniors (holders) C, beat Tauranga 3. TAURANGA. Tauranga 21. beat Eden B 18. The scorers for Eden were Kasper (two) and Spratt. Smith converted three tries and a penalty. Try-getters for Tauranga were Sinclair (three), Merriman and Gardiner. Grey converted two and Sinclair one. DARGAVILLE. Harding Shield: Northern Wairoa 41, beat Rodney 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. PALMERSTON NORTH. Subsidiary Competition.—St. Patrick's 8, beat Old Boys 3; Feilding 9, beat Feilding Old Boys 3. TIMARU. Harris Cup Knock-out Final. —Temulfa 13, beat Star 3. NEW PLYMOUTH. Tukapa 20, beat Manukau Rovers 9.