WELLINGTON WINS THE SHIELD

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30225, 2 September 1963, Page 16

WELLINGTON WINS THE SHIELD

Stem Forward Struggle In Bad Weather (New Zealand Pies: Association) • AUCKLAND, September 1. By magnificent play by its forwards and full-back, M. W. Williment, whose courage was unquenchable, Wellington defeated the Ranfurly Shield holders, Auckland, by eight points to three, at Eden Park on Saturday. Wellington plainly was the better team for two-thirds of the game. Wellington playing with the wind in the first half used it well, even if the side could only produce a try just before half-time which Williment, their captain and hero, turned quite superbly into a goal. For most of that time Auckland was beaten in the fine arts of kick-and-chase, bustle-and-harry game from the line-outs.

Between the fifth and 20 minutes of the second half, Auckland retaliated dynamically with its forwards and swept Wellington back and back until D. W. McKay scored in the corner. But Auckland could not sustain this pressure. The rigours of the first half took their toll, and the cause might even have been traced back to the grinding, punishing play of the Hawke’s Bay match five days before. Whatever the reason, Wellington came storming back. Williment kicked a penalty goal, and Auckland was left with 13 minutes in which to score five points to hold the shield. What gripping minutes they were The forwards had battled so long up and down the grandstand touchline that they had almost worn a trench —and had covered themselves with as much mud as glory. The ball was flung about. Team-mates were unrecognisable. Auckland attacked recklessly. The backs were thrown into the attack for the first time, but as the Aucklanders cut and thrust and kicked high there was an element of desperation about It an. , v Auckland could only have

scored from a Wellington mistake—and there were no mistakes. With two minutes to go Tataurangi and McKay broke from half-way, but the move was stifled. From a penalty Herewini kicked high and Williment marked heroically With one minute to go Herewini short-kicked and Wellington was forced back and a five-yards scrum was awarded. In a last desperate effort Auckland hooked, the backs streamed in from everywhere—and Herewini dropped the pass. However, the game did not depend on that pass. Rather it depended on the line-outs. Auckland won more line-outs than Wellington, but Wellington was able to use its possession better and make more of Auckland’s mistakes. The critical difference was in half-back play. B. A. Cull, of Wellington, was able to stay close to his ruck for his forwards were tighter. On the other hand D. M. Connor was beset by raiding forwards and too frequently the slippery ball came to the ground a yard or so in front of him. much to his discomfort and to the profit of the Wellington raiders. Wellington was better equipped to thrust through near the back of the lineout too. and it was from a raid such as this that P. A. Russo kicked ahead and won the scramble on the goal line. There was little profit for the backs except that C. J. Stewart was cool and steady with his kicking and Herewini frequently kicked Auckland clear from the most dangerous places. K. F. Gray was one of the best Wellington forwards, but not by much, as the whole pack played with tremendous dash. At various stages D. G. Harker, H. L. White and W. J. Whineray performed prodigious feats for Auckland, and R- H. Graham was superb in his covering. But the Aucklanders were bustled about

too much and apart from their glorious assault early in the second half they were never allowed to dominate. The wind, rain, mud and slush made it a difficult day for Rugby—but in terms of Wellington’s inspired play and Auckland’s valiant struggle it was also a great day for Rugby. The teams were:— Wellington: M. W. Williment. M. P. Dennehy, I. N. Uttley. R. W. Caulton, A. Osborne, C. J. Stewart, B. A. Cull. P. A. Russo, W. D. Gillespie, M. R. Dunne, G. Hermansson, W. R. Strang, D. P. Bendle, C. Currie, K. F. Gray. Auckland: H. H. Henare, D. W. McKay, P. F. Little, M. J. Dick, T. W. Tataurangi, M. A. Herewini, D. M. Connor, L. W. Fell, W. J. Nathan, D. G. Harker, H. J. Mamapoto, R. H. Graham, M. L. White, F. J. Colthurst, W. J. Whineray. Mr C. J. McAuley was the referee.