Shield with Waikato

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 17

Shield with Waikato

PA Hamilton Waikato’s rugby team turned on a stirring first-half performance to retain the Ranfurly Shield. 24-12, against Otago at Hamilton's Rugby Park yesterday. Waikato’s bigger forward pack dominated possession from all phases in the first half and its backs varied their play with some slick moves.

The Waikato flanker. Geoff Hines — in rampant form as part of an outstanding looseforward trio — scored the first points with a try in the eleventh minute that finished off a clever scissors move near the Otago line. The half-back, Doug Phil-

lips, converted and followed up with a penalty goal ten minutes later to put the holders up 9-0. Otago soon after had its first points with a Gary Smith penalty when the challengers changed their goal kicker, but a John Boe dropgoal and a brilliant try by right winger Bruce Smith gave Waikato a seeminglyinvincible eiglB-3 een three lead at half time. Scorers: Waikato: G. Hines, B. Smith and A. Stone tries, D. Phillips three conversions and a penalty’ goal, J. Boe a drop goal. Otago: G. Smith, four penalty goals.