RANFURLY SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 183, 4 August 1936, Page 15

RANFURLY SHIELD.

AUCKLAND V. OTAGO. CLASSIC AT CARISBROOK. i HISTORY OF THE TROPHY. (By PONTY.) The matcli at Carisbrook to-morrow between Auckland and Otago will toe the twenty-third game between the provinces, hut only the third Ranfurly Shield contest. And it the Southerners prove successful in retaining the trophy, which jg emblematic of New Zealand's Rugby supremacy, there will 'be 'little difference in the records of the two districts. This is what the records show:— PLAYED AT AUCKLAND. jg77—Drawn, no score. ISS7 —Aucklaud won, s—o. 1896 —Otago won, S—o. 1000 —Drawn, 3 —3. 1904 —Auckland won, 15—0. 100S —Auckland won, 11—5.» 1012 —Drawn, 5 —5.* 1023 —Auckland won, lfi—s. , 1027 —Auckland won, 11—9. t 1031 —Otago won, IS—G. 1935 —Otago won, IT—II. ♦Ranfurly Shield. PLATED AT DUNEDIN. 1875 —Otago won, 9J to 1 (a force-down counted half a point against). ISS3 —Drawn, no score. 1889 —Drawn, 3—3. 1895 —Otago won, 11—8. ISO9 —Auckland won, 13—3. 1903 —Auckland won, 11—0. 1907 —Drawn, 6—C. 1011 —Auckland won, 9—3. 1922 —Otago won, 11—3. 102S —Auckland won, 26—9. 1932 —Otago won, 17 —5. SUMMARY. Played 22; Auckland won 9, Otago won '7, drawn 6. Points. —For Auckland, 173J ; for Otago, 142 J. It will 'be seen that Otago has won the last three contests. New Zealand Champions, 1902. The shield was donated 'by Lord Ranfurly, a former Governor of New Zealand, and the original ihohler was Auckland, to which province it was awarded as the 1902 champion fifteen. Canterbury was beaten 19—3, Wellington 18 —5 and Taranaki 21—3. As the blue and whites toured south in 1903 possession jvas not disputed, but the very first challenge was fatal to Auckland, for Wellington took it away in 1904 with a 6—3 victory. Within a year the shield was back in Auckland again, the side captained 'by Harry Kiernan winning 10 —6 at Athletic Park in 1905. Then the Aucklanders held the trophy for eight long yeans.

It was not until August 16, 1913, at Potter's Paddock, that the trophy was shifted, Taranaki ibeing successful 14 —11 ■in a sensational encounter controlled by Ted McKenzie. After resisting five challenges Taranaki went down to Wellington in 1914 by 12 points to 6, George Nicholson being referee. The war was probably responsible for Wellington keeping the shield for so long as six years, for Auckland won one of the .two games of 1915 and two of the three matches of 1918. At any rate, the trophy remained with the black and golds until Southland took it under the new challenging rule (providing games away from home) late in 1920, "Farmer" Baird .being chiefly responsible for Wellington's 17—6 defeat at Jnvercargill. Otago Has No Luck. There was a bit. of "fun" before that season ended. Otago made representations to Southland for the return fixture at Carisbrook to 'be a challenge anatch, but Southland naturally refused to waive the rule requiring challenges to be lodged before August 31. As Otago eventually won 7—3 and had been successful 11—9 at Invercargill before Wellington's defeat there, it cou'kl Giardly toe claimed* that Southland was the pukka New Zealand champion. Yet on June 3 next year when Otago entered a special 'challenge, 7 South- . land, at Inveicargill, staved it off, 10—8. The maroons dropped the trophy (13-28) to Wellington, under the new rule, at Athletic Park, a week before the final Springbok Test. After that came the advent of the mighty Hawke's Bay warriors. They lifted the shield 19—9 at Wellington in 1922 and held it until June 3, 1927, when Cundy's spectacular goalkicking at Napier gave Wairarapa victory by 15 to 11. Meantime, Otago beat Hawkes Bay, 11—8, on the latter's subsequent Southern tour, but no challenge Jiad been lodged—so once again the dark blues were unlucky. Solway Sensations. Next came the never-to-be-forgotten bolway engagement in July, 1927, when Hawkes Bay -won 21—10, but the shield was awarded to Wairarapa because of a breach of the residential regulation in the piaj-ing of Watty Barclay, who had begun the season in Auckland but was recalled by the Bay for the famous game at Masterton. Morrie Brownlie and Quentin -Donald were ordered off, and among other sensations was a threat by Hawke's Bay to invoke the aid of the Supreme Court, an unsuecesful appeal to the New Zealand Appeal Council (then- situated in Auckland), and a threatened referees' upheaval after the men sent off by Referee Bert McKenzie, brother of the respective sole selectors, had been "white-washed."

After Manawhenua had surprised Wairarapa by winning 18—16 at Carterton, Canterbury came on the scene with a 17 —0 margin at Palmerston North. Within a year Wairarapa had the Shield back, a last-minute try by A. E. Cooke at Lancaster Park enabling the greens to beat Canterbury B—7. Southland created another surprise at Carterton, being victorious 19—16. This was in 1929; but the success was short-lived, for Wellington was too good at Invercargill next year, 12 —3. Canterbury once more got into the picture in 1931, when Day, the Ashburton player, scored, for New Zealand cricketer A. W. Roberts to goal the try into an B—6 victory at Athletic Park. Trevathan Vies With Osier. The scarlet and blacks had a good long tenure of the championship, for they successfully defended 15 challenges before Hawke's Bay got it back, 9—o, in a special challenge of July 21, 1934. .Then after 21 years out in the cold Auckland was unkind enough to deprive Hawke's B.ay of the honours in the latter's jubilee year, not two months after the trophy had been landed back at Napier. By this time the trophy appeared to have wings. Canterbury, on August 10, 1935, successfully challenged, 16—13, despite a valiant goalkicking effort by Ron Bush. At long last came Otago's popular victory, 15—6, last season at Lancaster Park, after eo many vicissitudes of fortune —even in Christchurch on August 26, 1933, the dark blues led s—o at half-time, but could not maintain the pace, the Cantabs eventually winning B—s. A year later Otago won 16—12 at Dunedin, but it was not a shield engagement! So with Otago's hard rucking forwards, and that wonderful foot of Trevathan's only a super-optimist could dream of an Auckland victory tomorrow. Lave scored ten points against Southland last Saturday, and has potted goals in Otago's last three representative fixtures. In fact, when Taranaki beat the Southerners J7 —8 last winter at Hawera, Otago's score comiprieed two fourT>ointers by Trevathan. who in this respect is New Zealand's Bennie Osier. May he keep one or two match-winners for the 1937 Springboks is a prayer to which all good New Zealanders will say "Amen!"

In answer to many inquiries—Auckland from 1905 to 1913' successfully defended 23 challenges (including draws with Wellington in 1910", and Otago in 1912), before Taranaki shifted the Kanfurly Shield. Ihe winning points came from a try engineered by- L. G. Hill, after a rearrangement through injury had necessitated his going up from full-back to wing three-quarter. He is now secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club. Hawke's Bay repelled 24 challenges until Mr. Cundy "arrived" at McLean Park with his four penalty goals nine years ago.

The Gladiators. for to-morrow's contest at DunAucklajid.—Backs: Beyer, Dick, Bush, Fletcher, Ivillcen, D. Solomon, Frankham. lor wards: Biwn, Hadley, Pepper, Lockmgton, Butler, August, Cooper; Andersop, •1. ooloinon (one to be omitted). W?t? g °rMr Tuyl , or ' Black > Smith, Watt, Gillies, Trevathan, Simon. FoiFore, Q„ a id, Parkhill, Vorrath, Green, Niven, Valentine. TO-MORROW'S PROSPECTS. A DANGEROUS PAIR OF OTAGOANS. (By Telegraph.— Special to " Star.") DUNEDIX, this day. With the weather again fine and settled, cand Cansbrook one of the best-drained grounds in the Dominion, the surface for the Aucklaiul-Otago Ranfurly Shield match on Wednesday should be in excellent order. Ihis contest is looked on as Otago's first real test; for, although Southland were expected to put up a good fight the shield holders were strong favourites, and had the ground been dry there is no question the winning margin would have been much larger than 16—3. The Otago team for to-morrow will he the same as on Saturday, except that Laney, who had to go off hurt, has (been replaced in the forwards. The Auckland players are looked upon as formidable opponents, and the game promises to be fast and exciting. It will not start until 3.15, so as to enable business people and others to attend. For a Wednesday match there should "be a record crowd. The feature of Saturday's match was J. M. Watt's attack and defence. This crack wing three-quarter lias now scored 60 points (20 tries)'this season. D. Trevathan, who has been so successful with his field goals, has scored 134 points this ■winter"'(six tries, 18 conversions, 12 penalties and 11 potted goals). Both these players take some watching with such a strong back combination as Otago possesses this season. The forwards, however, should be well matched to-morrow. SOUTHLAND'S CHOSEN. TO MEET AUCKLAND ON SATURDAY (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, this day. Rugby team selected to represent Southland against Auckland at Invercargill on Saturday:— Backs.—M. Hamilton, A. Sutherland, A. Sharp, Mitchell, C. Caldcr (No. 1), A. W. Wesney, J. Purdue. Forwards.—J. Mattingly, W. Sherriff, C. Soper, N. R. Irwin, R. Ward, S. Purdue, L. George, T. Metcalfe. INTER-ISLAND MATCH. NOMINATIONS FROM CANTERBURY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCIIURCH, Monday. Canterbury Rugby '['layers nominated for the South Island team to play the North Island, at Christchurch, on August 15:—Full-back, Behrns; wing-three-quar-ter, Hart; second five-eighth, Mortlock; half-back, McAuliffe; forwards, Hattersley, Millikeu, Manchester and Rankin. SIX FROM SOUTHLAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) | INVERCARGILL, this day. Southland players nominated for the South Island team:— Backs. —N. A. Mitchell and J. Purdue. Forwards. —T. Metcalfe, R. Ward, L. George and N. R. Irwin. - COLLEGIATE CONTEST. OTAGO DEFEATS CHRIST'S. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) a i DUNEDIN, Monday. The annual Rugby match between Christ's College and the Otago Boys' High School was played to-day, the home team winning a bright, eveuly-contesteil game l>y 11 points to 0. For the winners Mcintosh and Whiteside each scored a try, Chandler converting one and kicking a penalty goal. Wagner kicked three penalty goals for the college. WAIHI DISPUTE. NEW OFFICERS APPOINTED. ■ (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHI, this day., A general meeting of the Wailii Rugby Union was held last evening for the purpose of electing a new management committee, the old committee haying resigned following a dispute respecting the transport of representative players to le Aroha last Saturday week. The team chosen refused to travel in the vehicle provided by the contractor to the union, and a McGregor Cup fixture with Paeroa was thereupon cancelled. The officers appointed last evening by 'delegates of the respective clubs were:— Management committee, IVlessrs. J. Mc* Dermott (chairman), W- Tanner, T. 1' ry, P. O'Neill. E. J. Marryatt, T. McNamara, W. Parr, B. Wallnutt and C. Burt; secretary. Mr. E. Furey, jun.; treasurer, Mr. L. Graham. MANGATAWHIRI V. PUKEKOHE. Players selected to represent the Mangatawliiri sub-union in a match against the Pukekohe representatives in the South Auckland Union's senior competition, at Pukekohe next Saturday:—Backs: It. Dean, G. Peters. A. Morey. C. Pendergrast, I!. Dew, A. Mcllobbie, K. Miller. P. Hurst, W. Betts. Forwards: S. Parker, D. Betts, C. Rhodes, I. Glimmer, F. Le Long, G. Thompson, C. Mcßobbie, .T. Dean, V. Parker, Alan Cbipluan, Harris. The Pukekohe team will be: —A. Harvey (Old Bovs), A. Hewitt (Old Boys), X. Sandin. F. Wiinrfe (White Star),' L. Slieppard (Patumahoe), F. Loughrin (White Star), X. Parris (White Star). A. Moffitt. A. Kcane, G. Steele (Old Boys), C. Carter, L. Carter, H. Ilavard (Patumahoe), L. Adams. A. Moyle (White Star). Reserves: L. Wright (Old Boys), A. McClune (Patumahoe), C.- McIsaaes, A. Wilkinson (Old Boys). PARATA CUP. Opotiki team to play Apanui for the Parata Cup:—de la Mare, I-lollis, Morgan, Mason, Cuff, Mihaere, Shalfoon, Maunsell, Xewth. Ashdowu, A. Abbot. G. Edwards, W. Clav, Tekani, Poihipi. Reserves: Ilunia, T Walker, Shadow, Mulliern, Tnirua.