RANFURLY SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1934, Page 4

RANFURLY SHIELD

HOLDERS' IMPROVEMENT

TARANAKI DEFEATED

(By Telegraphs-Press Association.)

NAPIER, September 1.

Showing a marked improvement in every department, Hawke's Bay survived a challenge for the Ranfurly Shield by, Taranaki by 23 points to 8 at Napier ,today. The result was never-in doubt. Hawke's Bay were on the ball every minute, and it was not till the closing stages that I'aranaki 'appeared at all likely to score. lrne Hawku s Bay backs particularly snowed marked improvement, thougii there is still a weakness that prevents [heir penetrating as well as they might. The Hawke's Bay lorwards outclassed Taranaki in the first half, but play in that division was much closer in the second half, when Taranaki evidently played to instructions to keep play close.' An improvement in hooking was perhaps the best feature of Hawke's Day's play. I They outhooked Taranaki time after time, and had the five-eighths been more penetrating the score would have been much greater. The Taranaki backs lacked penetration and only rarely combined in any dangerous movement. The Hawke's Bay forwards penetrated richt to the Taranaki line shortly after the opening, and Smith, the Bay winger, secured a few yards from the line and went over from an irresistible short run. The kick missed. Hawke'e Bay again had Taranaki in difficulties shortly afterwards. From a drop-out Smith again secured, made considerable ground, and scut out to Steere, who went over unopposed. Evans converted." Taranaki opened their score when Collins goaled from a penalty for off-side play "just outside, the Hawkes Bay twenty-five. The backs and the torwards combined in Hawke's Bay's next scoring movement, and Bradley, alter handling twice, went over for a splendid try. The kick failed. Just before halftime Smith again put in a strong dash along the line and passed in to .Collins, to Steere, who scored an unconverted try well out. The half-time score was Hawke s Bay 14, Taranaki 3. Hawke's Bay's score in the second nalr was made up of a try by Rolls from an opening by Smith, and two further tries by Evans and Reid. All three kicks failed. Taranaki added to their score with a try by Fastier converted by Collins. The final score .was Hawke's Bay 23, Taranaki 8.