FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 15 August 1932, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY UNION.

RANFURLY SHIELD. CANTERBURY RESISTS CHALLENGE. Canterbury, the holders of the Ranfurly shield, withstood the first challenge of the season, that of South Canterbury, by winning a rather scrappy Though interesting game at Lancaster J'ark on Saturday by 11 points to J. That the margin was clear-cut in Canterbury's favour was distinctly fordinate as South Canterbury did the greater'part of the attacking for two- ' thirds of the match, and only an unusual set of circumstances robbed them of :i great opportunity of taking the shield. Canterbury staged a splendid rally in the last lo minutes to score 11 joints, but there was no real merit in the win of the holders aud their play was much below the standard win<•!» will be required to retain the shield against the challenges of the major northern provinces later in the season. The weather resembled that cxperi-em-pi] in spring rather than in winter with a fairly stiff easterly breeze blowing. Tho playing area bad made a good riMM.iM.-ry from thp effects of snow and frost. About 7000 people watched the Ernie. South Canterbury's 111-fortune. The succession of circumstances which deprive.! South Canterbury of what appeared to be certain points in the first half of the match were quite re markable. and that there was no score at half-time gave quite a wrong impression as to the merits of the play to that stage. The southern visitors should have had a commanding lead at the interval. The game had not been in progress long when Duke kicked a penalty goal from near halfway and wide out near the sideline. It was a magnificent effort, but a South Canterbury man had been in front of the ball when Duke took the shot at goal, and the referee called for a scrum. It was an unusual occurrence, but an expensive one for the challengers. Another quarter of an hour passed with Canterbury doing most of the defending and South Canterbury were awarded a penalty kick almost in front of the goal. An easy three points was missed, the ball going just outside the upright. Then to make matters worse, A. Gaffaney, the visitors' centre-threequarter, who had been playing brilliant football throughout the early part of the game, beat the Canterbury defence near the goal-line, and must have scored if he had gone on himself. He hesitated, looking for support, and the chance was gone as the defence had time to rally. Canterbury, as a result of that succession of mistakes, had no leeway to make up in the second half when it had the advantage of the wind, and thanks to inspired leadership by Cot- < trell. Andrews, and Manchester their forwards staged an eleventh hour rally, which bustled the defence, and paved the way for victory.

Good Spoiling Forwards. South Canterbury's strength was in the forwards, who played a. fine spoiling type of game, and took irull advantage of the fact that Canterbury had a glaring weakness in lack of thrust and steadiness in the work of the half and the first five-eighths. They combined skill and dash admirably, and as a pack were the better on the day. In set serums the honours were about even, but in scKummaging and line-outs what advantage there was was with South Canterbury. The outstanding packmen wero D. Callanan, G. Adkins, B. Seaton, and G. Giddings. They formed.a great quartet, who harrassed the Canterbury inside backs continually, and who were quick to rally -when a back rush broke down. In the backs, A. GafTaney, the centre, was the star, although he was not so prominent in the defence of the latter stages as he was in the attack of the first half. He had judgment and speed. Morrison was the • better of the two wings. Like the Canterbury inside backs those of the visitors were unimpressive. G. GafTaney, the half, was very sound on defence. L. Connolly, the full-back, gave a taste of the quality which took him into the South Island team this year. Until he was hurt in the second half he played magnificently, his line-kicking, fielding, and tackling being faultless. Canterbury's Poor Showing. Canterbury at no stage looked like a. team whose worth warranted the retention of the Eanfurly Shield. Its .play lacked life and thrust until tho last fifteen minutes of the match, and then only revived because of the great leadership of Andrews, Cottrell, and. Manchester. Some of the Canterbury forwards were not in the hunt from one end of the match to the other, and in loose spoiling play could well have learned a lesson from the visitors. The country forward, G. Thompson, was not in form, while others who were unimpressive were C. H. Perkins and K. Brown. Generally the pack was disappointing. Praise for the individual efforts of Andrews and Cottrell could not be too high, however, and the crowd saw ample reason for the high reputation the latter won in Australia with the All Blacks. Andrews must have been unlucky not to have won the black jersey with the fern leaf. His two tries were thrililng efforts. The Canterbury backs were starved of opportunities partly because South Canterbury, through over-eagerness, played a good deal off-side and were unchecked for the fault, but mainly because Vincent, the haif, and Hollow, the first five-eighths, had no idea of combination. Vincent was slower than usual, and not up to representative standard except as a stopper of rushes. Hollow was a failure, and his selection on the form he displayed is hard to follow. Some of Vincent's passes were not touched by the five-eighths, while on other occasions Hollow was caught standing flat-footed. Ouce only all day did Hollow give direction to an attack. <'. Oliver, G. Hart, and W. Brown, the three-quarter li7te, were faster than . r!ie visitors' line, but were crowded and robbed of chances by the poor play nearer tho scrum. Inues was solid but cuuJd not work in with his colleague.

Roberts, at full-back, played a good game, his line-kicking being a feature of the match. The teams were: —

Canterbury. Full-back—A. W. Roberts. Three-quarters —G. F. Hart, C. J. Oliver, W. J. Brown. Five-eighths —G. D. Innes, L. Hollow. Half-back—W. H. Vincent. Forwards —A. H. Andrews, G. W. Thompson, J. E. Manchester, G. J. Howell, C. H. Perkins, K. Brown, "W. Pease, A. I. Cottrell. South Canterbury. Full-back—L. Connolly. Three-quarters—T. Morrison, A. Gaf--I'aney, E. Ryan. Five-eighths—C. Cartwright, K. Blyth. Half-back—G. Gaffaney. Forwards—R. Seaton, I. Caird, G. Giddings, G. Adkins, J. Oallanan, 1). Callanan, F. Shewan, W. Duke. The Play. Cottrell led Canterbury and A. Gaffaney the South Canterbury team. Canterbury had to play into the wind for the first half, and from the kick-oil' South Canterbury broke through, with Adkins and Callunan leading a dribbling rush which went to Roberts before it was stopped. It was a dangerous looking rush. Canterbury's first assault was staged when Hollow put a grubber kick through the gap and lunes carried on, but Connolly Mas very safe. South Canterbury, using the wind with high punts, gained ground until it was awarded a penalty, and Duke took a shot at goal from 50 yards out. However, as the _ball flew true to its mark, and would have given South Canterbury a lead of three points, tho referee blew his whistle for a man being in front of the kick. It was very costly overeagerness. Canterbury returned to the attack aud almost scored when Innes broke free from a tackle and dashed straight down the field to send Oliver and Hart on. Hart was forced into touch by Contackle. Roberts had a. longrange shot from a penalty wide out, but a good kick went wide and South Canterbury forced down. Blyth gave South Canterbury :ui opportunity when he lino kicked to gain -40 yards, and put Canterbury on the defence. The football was fast without having much system, and in thp early stages South Cauterburv was holding an advantage in' tho tight and hooked tho ball better. The South Canterbury pack was going well and was almost over the Canterburv goal-line when Canterbury secured a penalty. From the resultant line-out Innes made another great opening to send Oliver and Hart away at top speed. Hart centred, but his kick was smothered in a press of defenders—all off-side —and Canterbury had another penaltv. It was Canterbury's turn to attack at this stage, with tho backs going better in short passing bouts. South Canterbury swept through the gap when Canterbury was defending, and A. Gaffaney and T. Morrison scissored at the end of a rearguard assault which resulted in a lot of ground being gained before Hart, Oliver, and Roberts joined in a rally which checked tho challengers right on Canterbury's twenty-five line. South Canterbury packed round and the referee awarded a penalty against Vincent, from which Duke had a long shot which missed. Tunes fielded the kick and found the line at half-way. There Hollow sold 'a "dummy" and beat the defence badly', but his pass to Innes was" too high and a great : chance went begging. Then Hart | thrilled the crowd with a solo burst for 30 years to deep in South Canterbury's twenty-five, but the flying three-quarter was beautifully taken by Connolly. Fumbling by Canterbury's inside backs allowed South Canterbury to break awav, and Blyth and Cartwright gained a lot of ground with a dribbling rush. In the Timaru side the most effective unit and tho one that gave Canterbury most to do was Connolly.. His fielding was good and his tackling'and kicking brilliant. For Canterbury, Cottrell, Manchester, and Thompson led a forward effort which threatened difficulties for j the defence, but Cartwright went down to the rush well and then Connolly wns tested again and "showed no weakness. A. Gaffaney and E. Ryan beat Oliver and "W. Brown, on the right flank, and only the fact that Gaffaney's final inpass was wild relieved for the shield - holders, who were, not having the best of the game by any means. Even the visiting backs* were making a better showing, and one rush initiated by G. Gaffaney nnd carried on by Blyth near the Canterbury goal-line was spoiled at the critical moment when the latter threw out a very bad pass. Giddings, Callanan, and Duke broke from the ruck which followed, but Innes beat them for the ball in the nick of time, and he cleared to outside the twentyfive. All the South Canterbury backs handled in a counter-attack which ended in A. Gaffaney finding the line two yards from the Canterbury goal-line. The South Canterbury pack won the tight ruck and a press of forwards crashed over the line, with several South Canterbury men claiming a try. The referee awarded a scrum five yards out, from which Andrews broke away brilliantly with the ball at toe to carry on to near half-way, with the assistance of Manchester" and Thompson. South Canterbury had an easy penalty kick awarded to them during their counter thrust. It was just on the twen-ty-five • line, and almost, in front of the posts. G. Gaffaney missed the shot at goal, however. It was a lucky escape for Canterbury. South Canterbury were losing their opportunities also, although having easily the better of the play. Once A. Gaffaney could have gone on and scored himself, but he hesitated and passed to Ryan outside him. The winger was beautifully taken by "W. Brown, and crashed over the side-line near the corner-flag as half-time sounded. Both teams left the field. On tho play to this stage, South Canterbury should have been six points up at least.

\ Second Spell. A line-kick by Roberts, which gained 50 yards featured the opening of the second half. However, South Canterbury adopted an attacking position early when 'Roberts fumbled. In stopping another rush three men off-side charged Roberts, the Canterbury full-back, who had to be attended to by ambulance men as a result. He was carried from the field and Andrews went to full-back. South Canterbury came through to rouse the crowd, when Hart missed a left foot clearing kick and Seaton and A. Gaffaney joined in an exchange of passing, gaining a lot of ground. The thrill of the match came in the next minute, when Cottrell gathered the ball in at halfway at his toes, and went down the middle of the field-in a solo effort, which split the defence.. Connolly was .passed, and the crowd was calling for a try. when -G. Gaffaney flashed up to pick the ball up and save. Roberts came back on the field and Connolly was injured, but resumed. Coordination between Vincent and Hollow was entirely lacking and the Canterbury backs were being starved of opportunities. South Canterbury wore still having the better of. play and the defenders of the shield' we're patchy. A Gaffaney broke right away oii the left flunk, but was grassed before he could get a pass in to two men in the inside supporting him. Roberts was giving a magnificent exhibition of line-kicking, and three in rapid succession, gained from 40 to 60 yards. Canterbury could not. turn their opportunities to account, but Manchester made a breakaway similar to the earlier one by

Cottrell. Hart bad broken away and cross-kicked and Manchester dribbled through, only to be robbed of the ball four yards from the goal-line. However, the pressure was kept up and Andrew? secured in midfield on the twenty-five line.. He bumped off two would-be tacklers and veered round -to start a run diagonally. Hie effort was a glorious one. and he cleft the defence to score a brilliant try. Roberts missed the kick.

Canterbury 3, South Canterbury 0. Cottrell, Andrews, and seemed to have rallied the Canterbury pack at this stage, and they were leading it grandly. For the first time in the game, as a result, Canterbury kept up something in the nature of a consistent attack, although there was still much fumbling. A. Gaffaney was good on defence for the challengers and intercepting, reached halfway with a dash which Innes checked by tackling the man who took Gaffaney's in-pass. Andrews and Manchester dribbled over the goal-line in a fine counter-assault, but were called back for offside play. Then Hart was almost across on the blind-side. The Canterbury backs swung into action in South Canterbury's twenty-five. Innes sent Oliver off at top-speed and the centre ran to Ryan, with Brown outside him. He sold a perfect "dummy" and scored a brilliant try himself. Roberts goaled. Canterbury 8, South Canterbury 0.

Oliver made an opening again a moment later, which resulted in Pease crossing, but the pass had been forward and a scrum was called. From it Canterbury broke through, but were held up by G. Gaffaney. Andrews, however. pounced on the ball as it worked free, and dived over for his second try. Roberts missed an easy kick. Canterbury 11, South Canterbury 0.

South Canterbury made a brilliaut breakaway right, on time. Roberts fielded and ran up the field to start, a back rush. He -went, too far and wag caught by G. Gaffaney and Curtwright. The ball rolled clear and A. Gaffaney picked it up to break away with a cleav field ahead. He wan overwhelmed as the defence rallied on him from behind, but he passed infield and T>. Callanan received, to outpace the defence in a 30-yard run which allowed him to score under the post?. G. Gaffaney and the final whistle blew with the score: Canterbury 11, South Canterbury 5. The referee was Mr J. Moffitt, of AYel lington. AFTER THE MATCH. DINNER AT COKER'S HOTEL. In honour of the South Canterbury team a dinner was given by the Canterbury Eugby Union at Colter's Hotel on Saturday evening. Both teams and members of the Rugby Union were present. Mr A. E. McPhail presided. President'B Speech. Mr McPhail, proposing the toast of "The South Canterbury Rugby Union," complimented the visiting team on the fine game it had played. It had, he said, conformed to the best traditions of Rugby, and he was sure that it had' been appreciated by the public. He had hoped that if any team were to win the shield from Canterbury it would have been that from South Canterbury, since such a victory would have materially helped to put its union on a sound financial basis, which, at present, it unfortunately lacked.

Mr T. Knowles, vice-president of the South Canterbury Union, responded. He expressed a hope that Canterbury would successfully withstand any challenges that might be made this year, so that next season his union might be able to send another team, which would this time be successful. He emphasised the great importance good gates had in fostering the interests of the game, and said that he was frankly envious of the fine gates received by the Canterbury Union.

"Better Team Won." The toast of "The Canterbury Eugl>y Union" was proposed by Mr A. AitkenJ manager of the visiting team. He said that they had berii beaten by the better team, but nevertheless had great hopes of taking the shield back next year. Dr. W. S. Seed replied on behalf of the Canterbury Kugby Union, and commented on tho pleasant relations which existed between the two unions. Mr A* I. Cottrell, the Canterbury captain* proposed the toast of "The South Canterbury Team." ''lt was a splendid game," he said, "and we thoroughly enjoyed the spirit in which it was played. The game might easily have gone the other way, and if it had, Canterbury would have been the first to congratulate the winners." The South Canterbury captain, Mr A. Gaffaneyj responded to the toaat, and expressed a hope that Canterbury would hold the shield till next season, when his team might be able to give a better account of itself. The toast of "The Keferees" was proposed by Mr J. Lillicot and replied to by Mr Arthur Thompson. SENIOR B GRADE. At Kugby Park, Old Boj-b 13 boat iloiivalc 10 Referee, Mr S. Turnbutl. At Sunnyside, Training College 6 bear Sunnyside 6. Referee, Mr 11. O. Jefcoale. At the Show Grounds. Xorth Canterbury 17 beat Linwood 8. Referee, Mr IX. C. Hamilton. Technical Old Boys beat 'Varsity by default. Christchurch beat Albion by default. - SECOND GRADE. A Section. St. Andrew's Old Boys 15, Albion 6. Bromley -J3. Old Boys 6. Athletic 0. Sydenham 6. Papanui 16,' Merivale 15. B Section. TechnioaHOld Boys 8, St. Andrew's 0. THIRD GRADE. A Section. Chtistthurcli 3, Old Boys 3. Paparua 23, Technical Old Boys C. Aranui 11, Prebblcton 10. B Section. Richmond 17, New Brighton 3. Morivalo 6, Spreydon 3. Sydenham boat Athletic by default. Sumner beat Kaiapoi by default.

FOURTH GRADE. Linwood 11, Papanui ;;. Sydenham 15, .North Canterbury 0. Athletic 14, Technical Old Bo\s 10. West Old Boys 11, Eiccarton 3. FIFTH GRADE. ■ A Section. Merivale 3,. West Old Boys 0. Albion 24, Old Boys 3. Kaiapoi beat Richmond by JtianU. B Section. Sumner 11, Spreydon 0. Paparua 0, Bromley 5. Marshland- 14, Arurrai 8. UNDER SEVENTEEN GRADE. Technical Old Boys 14, Sv<lenhuni 10. West Old Boys 41, Probblcton 8. UNDER SIXTEEN GRADE. Technical Old Boys B 9, Linwood 3. Merivale 5, Sydenham 3. Boys' High School 25, Sumner 0. Technical Old Bovb O beat Athletic by default. . . UNDER B*t- 71b GRADE. CluistuhurcU 15, Albion 3. • Sydenham 8, Athletic 0.