CLOSE CALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 26 September 1938, Page 14

CLOSE CALL.

RANFURLY SHIELD. ASHBURTON'S PLUCKJ EFFORT POLICE TAKE REFEREE OFF. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVKItCARGILL, Sunday. Southlanil Kurcesi-tfully defended the Itnnfurly Shield ~g«i,:*t Ashburh,,, jester day. Placing conditions were ideal there little '"'in' 1 / SU "' " fUSt sround and J us t The game ended sensationally, Ashbnrton taking the lead two minutes before time and Southland scoring the winning points "fin's"',, 'ir' *"'"■ Sk,u,l,lllntl «on by 20 The crowd rushed on to the playing area as tile teams tiled ofr. „,.<] I1111( .i, hooinj; was directed at the r« teree (Mr. \v. O . Ward) who WH-. escorted off the Held by a policeman. Ihe general u.nsensus of opinion was dav Asllburton wa * ""lucky to lose oa the Southland assumed the offensive from the start. The All Blank, Saxton, pffyng his first game for Southland, electrified he from wh . M '\ K P ? SS " S fr< "" the wr »™ H k, mi t,,, ' bi "' ks »«t*«-k«l "•" both n.iiiks. Ma honey got across at the corner \"n »•»» recalled. Snxton dummied froni the next scrum, passe«l into the forwards his ,)!i'; r i r,,, i- u <,ore,, - Y' es,,o - v f,,u "'' «• Hi his third kick at goal. Southland were winning .pnu-tieallv all scrums ami making »iii i l ,'-' i'f.ver back movements bewililered the challengers The Soutblnn.l backs and forwards combined in a further rush, from whi<-h Herron scored again Southland fi. Ashburton „. The AnhbiSton forwards were playing well i,, the lo.we. ihev drove into Southland territory, but again Snxtm, and Sutherland inspired the backs in a clever passing rush, which broke down at Calvert. After 25 minutes of play, \Mi,te set the Ashhurton backs in mot on. O Ilonoghue getting within fen yards of the lino. Here White. O'Donogbe and Brookef handled for the last named 4°ih Cnr r "Jlii. k'ck fallal. Southland.; Ashburton .t. Another thrill came when the visiting forwards kicked the ball from Saxton s grasp at midtield. and Lillev ;rosse,l the line with Mahoney hanging to him. The player was recalled for an inorhe^T", - K "" V Was P««««wnt in another clever movement across the line but n force-down was ruled. Southland returned to the attack, but mistakes spoilt scoring chances. The half time score was: Southland (j Ashburton !!!!!! 3 Asllburton had Southland rattled |- the start of the second half, two »<.res heinnarrowly prevented. The challengers drew with a penalty goal. Ihe Southland forwards gradually work nl Into Asbburton territory where Herron nnU J. Purdue fa l«l with goals from penalties. 1;,,,,, sets of backs were using th- line during the hecic forward battles, :n which Southland generally prevailed. At t.ie end of a passing rush starred by Saxton, Mnhor.y was flung nut near Ihe corner. (.- Donoghurv. the Ashbur «»n winger, M.in.iing off-side din-ing a Vet scrum was penalised in fr-int of tbe iiosts and Grace goaled. Southlnrid :», Ashburton MT hP if homP f " rwnr 'l s bo-nbard.-d the lino Metc.Hfe gettng across in a sciamb!-. K,t"n r T, , '"'!' Southhiml 12, .\>hburton «. The home forwards were definitely on top in the la-it iiunrter HercnUrVn' I.iMey snappeil m> the hall.'belt tlr. fnll-l-aciK Purdue. nn ,l scored under tbe posts. l" rton" ll° nVer Southland 15, Ashi.lav",in Hn wi ?\" g 7> WPre by open I'laj in which the opportunism ~f the. vlsi(orn earned them by a try bv LHley There were two minutes to go "when it was w.?nT"«7.i Ii y , H '" hr , n!, '" P»t'Ashburton a point ahead, but in a subsequent terrific forward battle on the Arii burton line (.raham « aM awarded a try right .m t ne.' Herron converted, and the final score was ■ Southland . >(1 Ashburton 7«