RANFURLY SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 132, 5 June 1923, Page 11

RANFURLY SHIELD

HOLDERS DEFEAT. WAIRARAPA. j _— (BY IatIORAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.} I NAPIER; 4th June. • Five thousand spectators, including a surprisingly large proportion of ladies, • stood or sat without covering throughout unpleasant conditions to witness the • first challenge match of .the season for the Ranfurly Shield, , waged between • Hawkes Bay (holders) 'and "Wairarapa. TJie end came with the fcome team still ' in possession of the shield, having in- ; flicted defeat on the challengers by 6 " points to nil after a doggedly-fought :. contest. Heavy rain in the morning made the playing field heavy and sloppy. When the game commenced rain was ■ falling heavily and continued without a ' break 'for twenty minutes, after which ■ ; there were intervals when umbrellas '. could be lowered. Naturally, handling ■■ the leather in such miserable conditions i was almost an impossible task, and m • consequence the ball was kept largely < on the ground, and the match consisted ' chiefly of a struggle amongst the for- ' wards, who, on both sides, made quite v creditable efforts to play good football ' Some very good footwork was shown. '. and the spectators fully appreciated ths great battle--against such odds. . *" During practically the whole of the . first half, the Hawkes Bay forwards kept up a vigorous onslaught on the .' visitors' goal-line, but Wairarapa kept • the game close and successfully de;<i fended until half-time. Wairarapa made ' one, and the home team two, attempts ■to score'by means of penalty kicks. All - three were good attempts, but were ■■•■ fruitless. ■■•'■ On changing ends the visiting for- ■ wards, put every ounce into the game, :'■ and for ten minutes or more the de- . fenders of the shield were hemmed in V; their own territory, and were called 'upon to exert their utmost efforts to ■• keep off the -attackers. There was then a change, Hawkes Bay completely : altering the aspect of affairs, i Hard ■'. knocking at the door by the home for—wards tried the defence of Wairarapa/ -' and several times it looked as though ' only another ounce was required for :. the holders to score. At length Hawkes Bay were awarded a free-kick, right in the corner, and Nepia piloted tho greasy ball over the bar with a wonderful kick. ■ In the closing stages the t Wairarapa team showed signs of weakening, and the game became more open, allowing : the Hawkes Bay backs to attempt some •handling. Three minute^s. before time a few short passes ended In Smith getting ' over. The kick failed, and Hawkes Bay ■•; retained the shield by 6 points to nil. Mr. L. Simpson, Wellington, was the referee.