RANFURLY SHIELD

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 15

RANFURLY SHIELD

Wellington’s Slender Chance

Wellington's hope of playing for the Ranfurly Shield this season if it is retained by Canterbury is very remote, according to correspondence received by the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union last night. “I have to advise you that your union’s challenge for the Ranfurly Shield was received at the last meeting of iny committee.” wrote the Canterbury Union. ‘Tn view of our previous decision affirming the principle of not accepting challenges in respect to mid-week matches, owing to the heavy representative programme to which we bad been previously committed, only one date. September 2S, remains available for special challenge matches. In addition to the challenge from your union, challenges have been received from the Ashburton, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay Unions, and my committee has referred the matter to the New* Zealand Rugby I'nion tor a decision as to which province will play our team for the shield on the date mentioned.” Mr. A. J. Griffiths said it was high time that some better method of arranging Ranfurly Shield matches was decided upon. The original object of the competition was to see that the strongest teams met for the shield, but it now appeared that any small union, which had no chance of success, could enter challenges. .Mr. G. F. W. Jackson said that it was a matter for the delegates when arranging fixtures at the annual meeting. Major T. J. King: If does not matter very much; some union will take the shield from Canterbury.