RANFURLY SHIELD

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28050, 18 August 1956, Page 6

RANFURLY SHIELD

First Match Next Week

K’VEN for the most insatiable Rugby appetites, the Springbok tour with all its discussions, debates, recriminations, accusations and controversies, must be regarded as a heavy meal. So for once. Canterbury’s RanfnHy Shield programme, usuallv the main course, can be likened to the savouries. The achievements of the Canterbury team on its recent southern tour were not such as to gladden the hearts of local enthusiasts. Even allowing for the lack of incentive in its matches on tour, and the loss of some of its key players, it is disturbing to say the i least that the nucleus of what will be Canterbury’s Ranfurly Shield team had no success. It is especially disappointing, as Canterbury has but a few days left before it meets Mid-Canterbury in the first shield challenge of 1956. In those few days it will have to recapture the fire and verve that has kept the Ranfurly Shield in Canterbury for two full seasons.

Mid-Canterbury is not regarded as a very serious challenger for the trophy, but neither was the little favoured Wairarapa team which took the shield from a startled Canterbury side in 1950. No team can be taken too lightly. Eight Challenges Eight challenges for the shield have been accepted, and many of the matches will be played within a few days of each other. The MidCanterbury game will be played next Wednesday and that against Hawke’s Bay on the Saturday. There is a week’s respite before Canterbury meets Wanganui on September 1 but the next two challenges, from West Coast and South Canterbury, will be played on September 5 and 8. The remaining three challenges, from Southland. Wellington and Poverty Bay, will be played on the three remaining Saturdays of the season. Canterbury has not had a very impressive record this season and in six matches has only won two. Three of the shield challengers—West Coast. Southland and South Canterburyhave already beaten Canterbury this vear. That has happened before, however, for with the Ranfurly Shield at stake Canterbury has risen to the occasion and avenged earlier losses.