BIG RUGBY CONTESTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 299, 12 September 1921, Page 6

BIG RUGBY CONTESTS

SPRINGBOKS’ EASY WIN WELLINGTON REGAIN THE RANFURLY SHIELD AUCKLAND BEAT TARANAKI OTAGO DEFEATED BY CANTERBURY I ■ .ft WELLINGTON 28 SOUTHLAND 13 SPRINGBOKS 26 NELSON 3 AUCKLAND 19 TARANAKI 9 CANTERBURY 19 OTAdO 14 Southland’s success last season In winning the Ranfurly Shield from a much-travelled Wellington representative team came as a surprise.■ It was held by Rugby followers generally that a real test of strength between the rival province/would .eave no doubt as lo Wellington’s superiority. Hence It was only the expected that happened on Saturday wher> Weilington regained tho much-coveted trophy without any great difficulty. Playing at Nelson, the Springboks easily defeated a combined Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay team without being fully extended. , In keeping with their victory against Wellington, Auckland scored a ten-point win from Taranaki. /Canterbury met Otago in a matcA that attracted no great interest, and won by a small margin.

RANFURLY SHIELD

WELLINGTON REGAIN POSSESSION’ SOUTHLAND OUTCLASSED / ' HOME TEAM’S FINE SCRUM WORK On Saturday afternoon Wellington cap ped what has been, on the whole, a successful Rugby season .by defeating Southland by 28 points to 113. and thereby regained the Ranfurly Shield, after being dispossessed of the coveted trophy for twelve months. The match was played on the Athletic Park, and the fact that the All Blacks took part in the curtainraiser accounted for the big gate, some 10,000 persons being present. His Excellency the Governor-General and Lady Jelliooe and staff, occupied seats in the official stand; along with the ; Jl°n. JG. Coates (Minister of Public Works) and Messrs. Pienaar and Mellish, of the Springboks’ team. The game was played in the best of spirit, and although not of the brightest order was relieved with occasional touches of brilliancy which fully compensated for the drab periods. The best feature of the contest was the splendid exhibition of hooking on the part of Standen and Sid. Shearer, the Wellington front-rankers. They con sistently beat Southland for the ball ' which invariably came out very cleanly. It was the best hooking witnessed on tho park this season. Another point about the game was the failure of the inside backs in both teams, most of the passing rushes failing to go beyond the first or second five-eighth. King had an off-day with his goal-kicking, the honours in this department going to Mark Nicholls The tackling of the majority of the backs was weak, and the visiting rearguard frequently lost out through failing to get down to rushes. The Wellington backs also did not shape well in fielding the ball. Southland had the advantage of both sun and wind in tho first spell, which proved a fairly even break, the home team playing with great listlessness till fully half-an-hour had passed. After this the ultimate issue of the game was never in doubt, and in the second spell Southland were outclassed all round.

In keeping with the general experience in local Rugby this season, the Wellington forwards were manifestly superior to their backs. King, Standen and W. Ryan did excellent work, and in tho second half Jack Shearer, and occasionally Sid Shearer also, shone to considerable advantage. As regards the local backs the one touch of real brilliancy was contributed by Hutchinson, who scored a spectacular try after badly fooling the whole of the defenders. Apart from this, however, his work failed to impress. Jackson made one great run which did not materialise but he was starved for the greater part of the game. Markham failed signally as an attacking back, dropping passes repeatedly, and twice he seemed to shirk going down to an opponent. D. Algar played a useful game, in keeping with the improved form he has shown of late, while goalkicking was M. Nicholls's saving grace. St. George. Hazlett, and Diack were the pick of the Southland backs. whilo among their forwards Britt, Millar, Cnckroft, and Bell caught the eye most. The teams were;— SOUTHLAND Full-back: I. Broun. Three-quarters-Diack, H. Brown, Wright. Five-eighths-. Lopdell (captain), Hazlett. Half: St. George. Forwards: 8011, Agnew. Millar. Strang, Cockroft. Britt. M'Kenzie. Rice. WELLINGTON. Full-back s Siddells. Three-quarters: Jackson, Markham (captain), I). Algar Five-ejghthH. Hutchinson, ’'M. Nicholls. Half: H. E. Nicholls. Forwards: King, do Clifton, Parker, J. Shearer, Duncan, W. Ryan, Standen, Sid Shearer. FIRST SPELL. Wellington kicked off and were early in difficulties, owing to the eggressivenses of the oppooing fwrwards. Markham

did not go down to a rush, and tho ball was kicked over’tho dead-line. Led by Agnew, the Southland pack again descended on Wellington with the ball at their feet. It rolled over the line, where Siddells slipped on his knees in endeavourin? to force, and in a flash Diack had hopped over and touched down. Agnew goaled. Southland Wellington ■ 0 Subsequent play saw King’s cool-headed-ness aveijt disaster ‘which- threatened through the Wellington backs’passing in their own goal-mouth. Wellington commenced to open up play, and from halfway W. Ryan and Hutchinson initiated a counter-attack, which ended in Southland forcing. The home team were getting the ball from the scrum, but the backs could not get it out to their wings. After this the visitors had things pretty much their own way for an appreciable period, during which/ I. Brown had two colourless pots at goal, and Wellington forced on several occasions. There was one bright incident when St. George dummied past several men, and found the line right in the corner. Southland carried the ensuing line-out, but Duncan managed to force. The Wellington jacks then took a hand in the game, but Markham and Hutchinson spoilt successive openings. In between whiles • D'. Algar did some promising work, but Markham was boring him badly. Siddells, who had 'played in the. curtainraiser, was showing signs of fatigue, and onco or twice was found wanting. Other incidents included a fruitless penalty kick at goal by Agnew and a brilliant recovery by Siddells. Wellington were having their work cut out in defending, and forced thrice in five minutes. The Southland backs got going on a number of occasions, but Lopdell (their first fiveeighth) could not be relied upon. And so the game wore on till nearing the end of the spell, when Wellington captured the play and scored two trios. In the first effort H. Nicholls got the ball from the scrum inside half-way and passed to de Clifton, to who lost.’ Hutchinson recovered —he made the try—and sent the ball out to Mark Nicholls, the latter passing on the line to Markham, who turned the trick near the corner. King failed to convert. The second try came when D. Algar centred, after some good 'work by S. Shearer—and a mipfield by I. Brown (the Southland full-back) enabled King, who had followed; up well, to score in a difficult position. King’s kick at goal failed. A few seconds before the bell rang Lopdell scored an unconverted try for Southland from a line-out npar the corner flag. This left the score Southland 8 Wellington 6 THE SOUTHLAND CRACK-UP. On the change-over, Gilmour replaced I. Brown,' who was taken ill during tho interval, and 11. Brown dropped back to ■'full-back. , Southland were prominent in the opening stages, but they soon faded away, and thereafter they were, except for brief intervals, kept continuously on the defence. Wellington were awarded two free-kicks, one of which King missed from near half-way, while M. Nicholls goaled from the other. It was a meritorious effort, the ball being placed ten yards inside half-way and five yards in from tho line. Wellington 9 Southland 8 Wellington were now playing an open game, and while their backs were on the run Hutchinson dropped a pass from Mark Nicholls, enabling the southern backs to intercept and carry play to their opponents’ twenty-five.' There they twice came within an ace of scoring. St. George worked tho blind very prettily aftj centred, but tho ball reboundeu and Siddells fielded, though ho did not find the line. St. George again secured possession with a pack of forwards hanging on to him, and a scrum five yards out took place. The next thing that happened was that M'Kenzie crossed the line, but a forcedown was awarded. Tho Wellington forwards then cleared, and the backs took up the gave Southland no quarter. M. Nicholls essayed to goal from a mark two yards inside half-way and the ball went just under the bar. After tl’jr, a couple of chance? were missed by tho backs through faulty handling, following which M. Nicholls goaled from a penalty midfield, 35 yards back.

Wellington 12 Southland 8 A passing rush was indulged in by the Wellington forwards, de Clifton being grassed on the goal-line after receiving a pass from J. Shearer. Two scores were made by Wellington in rapid succession.’ The ball went’from 11. Nicholls to M. Nicholls to Hutchinson, who dummied past several opponents and then pierced the ranks of the rearguard with an ar-row-like run, scoring between the posts. M. Nicholls converted. Another good forward rush took place, and a few eoo-

onds later Hutchinson goaled from a mark 35 yards back. Wellington 21) Southland 8 With only a few minutes to go. King walkod oft' tho field to tho dressing sheds on account of a kick on the 'hip, and taking undue advantage of their privilege Wellington replaced him by Gair—an emergency. About this time Jacksora took a difficult ball in front of the Wellington goal and raced half-way up tho field in fine style, where he was tackled by St. George. After this Southland wpro sewed up in the corner, and as the outcome Gair scored from a pass on the line, from the ruck. M. Nicholls goaled. Southland'retaliated with their last effort of the day, H. Brown scoring near the posts. Agnew goaled.

Wellington 25 Southlahd 13 Just on tho call of time Sid Shearer scored Wbllington’s final try from a forward scramble in tho corner, from a pass by Jack Shearer. M. Nicholls failed with the kick, and the game ended Wellington 128 Southland i 13 - Mr. R. M'Kenzie, of Otago, was the re-' feree. ALL BLACKSTWELLINGTON B PRACTICE MATCH AT ATHLETIC PARK. That interest in the final Test match is already keen was shown on Saturday, when an unusually large crowd assembled early at Athletic Park to see in action some of the men who will represent New Zealand. As a preliminary to the Ranfurly Shield game, a combination of the All Blacks, now in training at Day’s Bay, played two i short spells with a Wellington B representative team. The All Blacks were represented by:—Full-back, Kingston; three-quarters. Ford,,Jfwerson, Siddells; five-eighths, B. Algar and Fea; halfback, Boberts; forwards, Donald (wing), Fogarty, Duncan, M'Lean, Fletcher, and Turnbull. The following comprised the Wellington team: —Threequarters, Riggs, M'Cabe, M'Arthur; fiveeighths. Burt (a junior • player), y and Chiristopheraoin; hrilffiback, Mathieson; forwards, Gair (wing), Muir, Thomas, Malin. Love, King (Oriental), Brown, and Troy. The Wellington team commenced operations with eleven players, but were afterwards reinforced, although they played' throughout without tho services of a full-back. Algar retired soon after the game had commenced, suffering from a slight ankle sprain, and Fletcher filled the breach in the five-eighths line.

It was evident from the commencement that seijeial of the All Blacks were not prepared to take too many risks, but there were notable exceptions. The most outstanding of these was the display given by Fea, of Otago, on whose play attention was most closely riveted, and there is no doubt in the minds of the spectators that, if fit and well, he will be found among the fifteen elect on Saturdaynext. It was noticeable, too, that h'e and Roberts combined very well. The inclusion of Sidd!ells as wing-three-quarter in the All Black side was a welcome surprise to those who think that this player would do better in the three-quarter line than at full-back. His display on Saturday holds out interesting possibilities, and the try ho scored was the result of a clever and sensational run. Upon retiring at halftime, to prepare for the shield) match, ho was given a flattering reception by the crowd. Ifwerson, Ford, and Algar were not over-worked, but did all that was required of them well. The one really sensational incident of the match was Fletcher’s try. Picking ,up the leather about mid-field ho ran straight for the touch-line, fending off several would-be tacklers with his hands. Besides being an excellent forward, he showed that he could very ably fill the position of second five-rtghth. M'Lean was outstanding among a pack of forwards who all showed fine form. Of 1 - the Wellington team, Troy, Gair, and Brown shone among the vanguard, while M'Arthur, Christopherson, and Mathieson played well In tho backs. Fea, Fletcher, Moffitt, Siddells, M'Lean (2), Fogarty, and Ifwerson scored tries for the All Blacks, while Duncan (2), West, and M'Lean converted ffies. Troy, Christopherson, Riggs, and M'Arthur secured tries for Wellington, two of which were converted. The final score was: All Blacks, 32; Wellington, IG. Mr. J. Moffitt refereed. . f AUCKLAND BEAT TARANAKI BY 19 POINTS TO 9. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, September 10. An interprovincial Rugby match between Auckland and Taranaki was played at Eden Park to-day before an attendance estimated at about 5000. The ground waa hard and fast, and the weather perfect. A light breeze was blowing aerbss the ground. Auckland won by 19 points to 9. The first score came to Auckland as the result of a clever passing rush, Williams scoring on the corner. V. Hadeley's Ifitk fell short. Auckland, 3; Taranaki, 0. Fast play followed, and then the Auckland backs broke, away again. Grierson scoring. V. Badeley’s kick failed. Auckland, 6; Taranaki, 0. Halftime sounded with the score unchanged. On resuming, Auckland attacked. Then the visitors pressed, and were awarded a penalty, Hooker converting. Auckland, 6; Taranaki. 3. Shortly afterwards Helander scored for Auckland. M'Cullough’s kick failed. Auckland, 9; Taranaki, 3. Play livened up in the last quarter, and Taranaki scored, Hickey getting over after a clever piece of work. Hooker’s kick failed. Auckland. 9; Taranaki, G. As the result.of brilliant play by the Badeley brothers, V. Badeley scored, M'Cullough converting. Auckland, 14; Taranaki, G. From a neat passing rush Williams scored for Auckland, and M'Cullough converted. Auckland, 19; Taranaki, 6. Taranaki then took a hand in artack. Earle picked up the leather from a scrum in front of the posts, and the visitors were awarded a free kick, which Malone converted. The final whistle blew with the scores: Auckland, 19; Taranaki, 9. Auckland well deserved their win, Th« Taranaki forwards proved to be a speedy, untiring pack, but the backs failed to support them satisfactorily. SPRINGBOKS’ {ETURN SEARCH OF COUNTRYSIDE FOR REST CAMP. Despite misgivings to the contrary, the Springlwks managed to catch the Mapourika at Nelson on Saturday afternoon at the conclusion of their match against the combined representative team, with the result that they arrived in Wellington yesterday morning. They declined an invitation to be present at the Day’s Bay reunion in the afternoon, and small wonder, considering the fatigue of travelling they have undergone during the week-end. It is understood that tho visitors organised z a little excursion of their own into the country with tho object of seeking out a suitable spot for a rest camp, and rumour has it that they have selected Waikanae. CADET TOURNAMENT Tn tho semi-final round of the Cadet tournament. St. James's Company met Technical College at Athletic Park as' one of tho preliminaries to the Ranfurly Shield game. The St. James’s boys won somewhat easily. They were heavier in the forwards, and showed more combination among the backs than their opponents. Foley (2) and Parsons secured tries for the winners, while Sparks and T’nd-rhill o-mveitied tries. Malcolm kicked a penalty goal. Dormer and Morscored tries for Technical College. Stewart converting one. The final .score read: St. James’s Cadets, 17; Tech- i nical College* 8,