RUGBY FOOTBALL CANTERBURY RETAINS RANFURLY SHIELD

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27435, 23 August 1954, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL CANTERBURY RETAINS RANFURLY SHIELD

24-11 Margin In Fast Game With South Canterbury

ELSOM AND GODDARD IN FINE FORM

The third challenge this season for the Ranfurly Shield—by South Canterbury at Lancaster Park on Saturday—did not seriously worry Canterbury, which won comfortably by 24 points to 11. It was a capital game, full of incident from start to finish.

The margin of five fries to one fairly represented the difference in ability of the teams, for the Canterbury forwards, with a big advantage in weight, were always on top, especially in line-outs, which they won by 36 to 24. Superiority in scrums was not so pronounced, the South Canterbury hooker winning 18 and Canterbury 20.

The ground had recovered well after rain, and allowed fast, open football.

The game was a good work-out for next Saturday’s match with Waikato, and the team that played against South Canterbury was as nearly as possible the selectors’ idea of what the Ranfurly Shield team should be. Yet though the forwards worked with a will and controlled the game, there is still room for a sharpening of the backs’ attack and defence. M. P. Goddard, a brilliant centre three-quarters some years ago and now regarded as a veteran, played, in the unaccustomed position of first five-eighths with a consummate ease that seemed to cast a reflection on the ability of more than one Canterbury back. When he went on his own, Goddard had no difficulty in beating his opposite number, and had it not been for the quick-breaking forwards he might have made a material difference in the score. Now 32, Goddard is still a general and almost as quick on his feet as in his heyday. His quick kicks often relieved the pressure on his team.

The Canterbury backs have not yet developed into a fiery, attacking combination, and on Saturday hard, straight runners in A. W. McPherson, at second five-eighths, and A. E. Elsom, at centre, received singularly few chances. Each, and especially Elsom. had to find his own chances, and in their few opportunities both showed determination. Elsom was always looking for work, and his quick breaks provided the thrills of the game. His two tries were excellent. Canterbury’s wing three-quarters, R. M. Smith and C. A. McDonald, played usefully, making few mistakes and handling welL Smith often raced in at first five-eighths, without adding impetus to the attack, and McDonald scored a try after following a placed kick to the corner. At first five-eighths D, D. Wilson had his hands more tharr*fMH iff attending to the elusive Goddard, against whom he had played in club football at Tfmaru earlier in the season. The honours were with Goddard. Wilson’s best work was done in loose play and in cover defence, and he showed initiative in attempting to handle twice in passing rushes by doubling outside his second five-eighths. Wilson, who has not had a hard game for some weeks, should be much improved by Saturday’s match. Too often, however, he took his passes flat-footed and failed to make ground. P. B. Vincent, at half-back, was •trong m defence, and with welldirected lib* kicks often covered up mistakes when passing broke down. K. C. Stuart was again on his best form, and the South Canterbury backs found the Icily of kicking iwto frig sure hands. He was again top scorer for the side with a penalty goal and, three conversions. His place-kicking and line-finding were always long and accurate.

In contrast with thteir lethargic beginnings in previous shield matches the Canterbury backs and forwards went into action with shock tactics, and in the first minute had settled play on the South Canterbury line and almost scored. The position was relieved with a good kick by Fairbrother after a penalty had been awarded, but Wilson returned play to the South Canterbury line with a neat kick. After Jack had failed to find the line and Stuart had gained ground 7 Goddard burst past Wilson after a scrum. Stuart had a shot from a penalty 45 yards out. The ball fell under the posts over the line, and was forced. South Canterbury caused some excitement when Goddard again broke through and Cole gained ground by side-stepping inside Smith. Eastgate and Small were at the head of a forward rush which brought temporary relief, and a shot at goal from a penalty Ky Casey fell short. Cole was clever on defence and Goddard made an error when he kicked to Stuart, who gained a long stretch q/ ground. Brooking and Jack were associated jn a bright move down the the field, and another penalty to South Canterbury allowed Casey to open the scoring with a long kick. South Canterbury 3, Canterbury 0. When McDonald passed infield to Stuart the full-back made a splendid kick, and a try was almost scored when Vincent, McDonald, McPherson, and Elsom combined in a thrust. Wilson forced South Canterbury with a long kick, and he lost the ball when tackled a few moments later, Goddard starting a promising move that was stopped by Stuart. Play was fast and Open, and when a Canterbury passing rush broke down in the open Vincent attacked on the blind side. Wilson passed to Elsom, who side-stepped Stoddart, outpaced Fairbrother, and scored a very fine try, which Stuart converted. Canterbury 5, South Canterbury 3. A weak kick by Stuart, was almost expensive, for Jack, who was in a scoring position, fell as he was fielding the ball. A good run by Vincent shifted play. Fairbrother gained ground with a long kick when he caught Stuart out of position. Wilson gained ground with successive line-kicks, and a promising move brqke down when Elsom gave a bad pass to McDonald. A penalty for a scrum infringement was taken by Stuart wide out on the twenty-five, and three more points were added to the Canterbury total At half-time Canterbury led by 8 points to 3. The Second Spell Hern and'Teague retired from the Canterbury team at half-time, their places being taken by Stewart and Mauger, and soon after the spell commenced Small injured, was replaced by Roberts. Cole •scored for South Canterbury when Meates and Davies broke through and a pass by Goddard went astray. Play was fast and open, and Vincent was sending the ball out at every opportunity. A cross-kick by McPherson was gathered by Elsom, who showed a great burst of speed when he raced round the South Canterbury backs for a splendid try. Stuart’s kick, a good one, hit the upright. Canterbury 11, South Canterbury 3. Canterbury continued to attack. Vincent ran from the* scrum and passed to Roberts, the ball going to Stewart and Meates, who raced for a try near the posts. Stuart converted Canterbury 16, South Canterbury 3. When a Canterbury forward was caught off-side scrum Casey reduced the margin with a goal from 40 yards out, a good kick. Canterbury 16, South Canterbury ’6. Hill Eastgate, and Young were prominent for good line-out work, and after misfielding by Cole and a long line-kick by Fairbrother play settled in the South Canterbury twenty-five. When Stuart failed to find the line Jack and Stoddart gained ground, and when Goddard twice beat Wilson play settled on the Canterbury line. Stuart relieved, only to see Fairbrother regain the lost ground. Elsom and McDonald interpassed, after which Elsom centre-kicked, for Roberts to score in a handy position. Stuart converted. Canterbury 21, South Canterbury 6. Henley first failed to reach the Canterbury line after a determined dash, and after Proudfoot had also failed Kennedy scored a try, which Fairbrother converted. Canterbury 21, South Canterbury 11. Canterbury’s backs again swung into action,' and Wilson cross-kicked to the wing, McDonald following fast to score at the corner. Canterbury won by 24 points (3 goals from tries,. two tries and a penalty goal) to 11 points (a goal from a try and two penalty goals). Mr R. F. Marshall (Buller) was referee.

Csntrrbmj Forwards an Top The Canterbury forwards again carried the day, opening the game with * almost brought a try, and afterwards giving a grand display in line-outs, hard scrummaging, fast following up, and sure tackling. In all phases S. F. Hill stood out for his solid, consistent plav, and once when he received the ball in the loose he ran with great speed and showed what a hard man he is to stop when in full flight. Both he and K. F. Meates, on the side of the scrum, had more' chances than the others to show their brilliance. and Meates’s try came after he had joined in a movement started by Vincent and carried on by A. W. Roberts and J. D. Stewart P. Eastgate, L. Davis, and D. Young did their full share, and N. Teague was prominent before he retired -from play at half-time. H. Fairbrother played a correct game at full-back for South Canterbury, handling surely and finding the line with nicely- judged kicks. He might not be such a powerful kick as Stuart but he wastes no ground and his positional play is good. He had little chance of preventing the tries that were scored against his side. J- Cole, a light wing three-quarters, repeated the good form he had shown hi the earlier game against Canterbury at Timaru. His chances were few, but he lost nothing in comparison withj his marker. Smith. Cole is a good footballer, very elusive and with a good turn of speed. L. Jack’s job was mostly in defence. This he did capably. R. Stoddart, at centre. Though overshadowed by the brilliant Elsom, did much serviceable work. It was Dot to his discredit that be failed to stop file Canterbury centre every time firn latter got the ball A. J. Henley, at second five-eighths, formerly of the Victoria University College Club, and a South Island B team player last year, showed much ability and did well to hold McPherson. The latter’s solid tackling kept the South Canterbury man subdued. At half-back W. J. Coulter sent straight, swift passes to Goddard, who had no difficultly in handling each ball that came to him Coulter was called on for much hard defence, and this he did competently. He has proved hi, ability as the representative half-back for South Canterbury for ■everal seasons. J. P.. Gallagher, captain of the South Cantcibuiy team and a .South Island representative for two years, was the outstanding forward on his side, doing splendid work in the line-out, with good support from a young Waimate player, L Proudfoot, and J. S. Brooking and M. Casey. Following were the teamsCante rbary Full-back: K. C. Stuart Three-quarters: B. M. Smith, A. E. Elsom, C. A. McDonald. Five-eighths: A. W. C. McPerson, D. D. Wilson. Half-back: P. B. Vincent Back row: J. J. Small Middle row: S. F. Hill, N. Teague, T. Davies. K.-F. Meates. Front row: E. Hern, D. Young, P. Eastgate. During the game Teague. Hem, and Small were replaced by J. H. Mauger. 1. D. Stewart, and N. Roberts. Sooth Canterbury Full-back: H. Fairbrother. Three-quarters: J. Cole, R. Stoddart, I» Jack. Five-eighths: A. J. Henlev, M. P. Goddard. Half-back: W. J. Coulter. Baek D. Craighead. Mi<Me raw: J,. p. Larfcin, 1 Proudfoot. 4, P. Gallagher, D. Kennedy. J. S. Brooking, M. Casey, JL Nolan replaced D. Craighead when ha was injured.