THE SHIELD MATCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 71, 21 September 1936, Page 14

THE SHIELD MATCH

WON BY OTAGO

WELLINGTON BEATEN 16-3

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, September 19. Playing on a dry ground in the presence of 23,000 spectators, Otago resisted the challenge of Wellington in the seventh Ranfurly Shield match of the season, winning by 16-3. The first half early developed into a dour for ward struggle between two evenlymatched packs, neither side letting the other get far. The only really bright spot was a magnificent try by J. M. Watt. After half-time Otago got the measure of Wellington, keeping the visiting team hemmed near its own line for about half an hour, adding 11 points more. Wellington scored a converted try in the last few minutes of the game. J. L. Griffiths was injured and went to full-back, H. R. Pollock going to second five-eighth. This alteration strengthened the attack, but although Wellington made strenuous efforts to reduce Otago's lead, deadly tackling stopped the attacks. Apart from this period Otago always looked more dangerous than Wellington. The teams were:—Otago.—J. M. Taylor; J. M. Watt, H. F. Fookes; W. A. Black; C. C. Gillies, D. Trevathan; H. Simon; F. Green, L. Niven, W. Foreman, F. Vorrath, W. Parkhill, J. Hore, W. R. Laney, C. E. Quaid. Wellington.—H. R. Pollock; L. H. Edwards, J. F. Fleming, R. Nees; J. L. Griffiths, H. L. Baldwin; E. W. Tindill; A. H. Andrews, J. R. Lamason, F. H. F. Smith, M. W. Devine, J. Wells, R. R. Hull, A. Lambourn, F. C. Leahy. The Otago forwards played a fine game, eventually running the opposing pack off its feet. Laney, Green. Niven, and Hore were in the thick of the play throughout. Gillies was the outstanding back, being brilliant in attack and defence, while he was ably supported by Fookes (the centre), playing nis first representative game this season. Simon played a heady game behind the scrum. Watt and Black ran strongly whenever they received the ball. Trevathan was as accurate as ever with his boot, scoring 10 points—a try, a penalty goal, and two conversion shots. Taylor was a wonderfully safe full-back, outshining Pollock,- who fumbled occasionally. The Wellington forwards played soundly in the first half, getting the ball from most of the scrums and hneouts, but were later pushed on uicir feet. Devine, Wells, Smith, and Lambourn played solid football. The backs lacked cohesion and penetration, Edwards, on the wing, impressing most. THE FIRST SPELL. Otago had slightly, the better of the opening play, although the Wellington forwards were getting the ball from the scrums. Edwards and Lamason were prominent in two solo breaks, but good tackling stopped the movements. Early the Otago, pack staged a great dribbling rush that took the ball half the length of the field, and the backs swung into action, but Fookes dropped a pass. Lambourn broke away on his own, but Taylor saved well. Gillies started a pretty movement with a nice cut-in, Green carrying on, but Wellington smothered the attack. Trevathan tried to go through, the forwards supporting him, but a penalty, kick to the visitors relieved a dangerous situation. Lamason transferred play quickly to the other end with a good rush, but Wellington was penalised. The Otago defence was holding when the visiting backs opened up with passing bouts. The aspect of the game changed suddenly when Niven (forward) broke aw.ay and passed to Fookes (centre-three-quarter). He was away in a flash and made a beautiful opening for Watt, who dashed a chain to score in the corner. Trevathan kicked a magnificent goal. Otago 5, Wellington 0. Wellington continued to get the ball from most of the scrums, but the Otago pack shone in the loose. Nees (wing-three-quarter) started a dangerous movement when he cross-kicked and caught Otago out of position, but Edwards missed the ball with practically a clear field in front. Tindill tried to pot from a sharp angle, but missed, Taylor forcing. Otago was soon on attack again, and Trevathan ran right through the Wellington defence, but was smothered just short of the line. Otago had a turn on defence a minute later, Taylor, Fookes. and Trevathan all saving well in quick succession. THE SCORE PIL.ES UP. Play opened sensationally in the second half, Black breaking away and racing for the line, but passed straight into an opponent's hands. Wellington was penalised just inside its own territory near the side line. Trevathan kicked a magnificent goal. Otago 8. Wellington 0. The visitors retaliated strongly with a passing bout which went close to the line. Willing play among the forwards resulted in the referee stopping play and cautioning both sides. Otago set up a hot attack, several movements going dangerously close. Green fielded a long kick by Pollock and the forwards rushed to the line again, where, from a scrum, Simon passed to Trevathan, who ran round the blind side and dived over at the corner. He failed to convert his own try Otago 11, Wellington 0. Otago was now playing brilliantly. Griffiths hurt a leg. and went to fullback, Pollock coming into second fiveeighth. From a scrum Simon sent smartly to Gillies, who cut through beautifully before handing to Fookes. the centre scoring in a handy position. Trevathan converted. Otago 16, Wellington 0. Devine and Edwards staged a dangerous passing rush, but Black went down to it when the first-named punted, Niven clearing. Wellington kept Otago busy, Pollock strengthening the attack of the backs, but Otago's defence was very sound. Five minutes before time Wellington was awarded a penalty kick, but Lamason's attempt was wide. A minute later Nees broke through on his own to fall on the ball in a handy position. Lamason failed to convert, the game ending: OTAGO 16 WELLINGTON i