SHIELD REGAINED

Grey River Argus, 11 July 1927, Page 5

SHIELD REGAINED

BY

HAWKES BAY.

A Stern Struggle. (Per Press Assn.) MASTERTON, July 9. Wairarapa’s tenure of the Rugby premiership expired to-day, when they lost the Ranfurly Shield to Hawke’s Bay in a memorable encounter. The weather was fine, and the attendance totalled 10,000. Both sides were in the pink of condition, and the game proceeded till the final whistle at a killing pace. Hawke’s Bay were superior in their forwards, who gained the ball from 75 per cent, of the scrums and line-outs. Consequently, the holders’ backs were penalised through seeing little of the ball. The tackling on both sides was deadly. Q. Donald and M. Brownlie were or dered off the field half-way through the first spell for handling each other on the side of the scrum. Roach opened the scoring for Wairarapa with a try under the posts, which Cundy converted. Hawke’s Bay squared the score wi<l. a try in the corner by Huxtable, after a fine opening by Grenside. The latter goaled the try. There was no further score in the first spell, which ended 5 all. Early in the second spell Grenside kicked a penalty goal for Hawke’s Bay. Then Cook scored a try under the posts for Wairarapa, after a great run by Cundy, who cut out the whole Hawke’s Bay team. Cundy goaled. Wairarapa. 10; Hawke’s Bay, 8. Barclay placed Hawke’s Bay ahead with a try by the post, after a dribbling rush, and Grenside goaled. Hawke’s Bay, 13; Wairarapa, 10. Swain then scored an unconverted try for Hawke’s Bay from a loose rush. Hawke’s Bay, 10; Wairarapa, 10. Later Huxtable gained his second try from a beautiful combined move, and Grenside goaled, making the final score:— HAWKE’S BAY 21 WAIRARAPA 10

Maori Touring Team. DEFEATED AT AUCKLAND. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 9. The Auckland Rugby Representatives defeated the Maori Touring Team in the first match of its tour at Eden Park by 31 points to 6. The match was played in heavy rain, the state of the ground militating against good back play. There was an attendance of about 5000. In the first half the visitors held their own, the score at half-time being 11 points to 3 in Auckland’s favour. After the interval, however, the Auckland forwards assumed control, and 20 more points were added. The Maoris scored another try right on the call of time. For Auckland, Keene (two), Batty, McManus, Hook, Badeley, and Righton scored tries, Berridge converting two find kicking a penalty goal. For the Maoris, Rangi Ruru, and Rika scored tries. The visitors were not at full strength. Several players will join the team on its Southern tour. Paewai and four local Maori players turned out for the visitors. CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. CHRISTCHURCH, July 10. The surprise in the Rugby football yesterday was the defeat of Christchurch, who have already won the Senior Championship, by the Albion Club, which for the last two seasons has been showing an improvement. The score was:—Albion, 11; Christchurch, Other matches resulted:— Merivale (24) beat Technical Old Boys (13). Old Boys (31) beat Linwood (5).

Marlborough Win. AFTER EVEN GAME WITH NELSON. (Per Press Assn.) BLENHEIM, July 9. Marlborough met and defeated Nelson to-day by 16 to 11, after a hard, even game, wherein the home forwards showed just sufficient superiority to counteract excellent play by the visiting backs. The scoring throughout was remarkably even. Phillips opened the scoring with a try, which was converted. Snodgrass was responsible for evening the scores. Phillips put Marlborough ahead again with an unconverted try. Snodgrass a minute after again equalised the score, which remained eight all till half time. Nelson had the best of the greater part of the second spell. After twenty minutes’ play, Washington kicked a penalty goal for Marlborough, but Wallace directly after scorch a try, and put the teams' again on even terms. Ten minutes from the end, the Red forwards made a< final effort, Washington scoring, and Phillips converting. The game thus resulted in Marlborough avenging their recent onepoint defeat at Nelson. AUCKLAND RESULTS. Newton 14 beat Ponsonhy 3. WELLINGTON RESULTS. Oriental 13 beat Poneke 6. Athletic 11 beat Wellington 8. Old Boys 29 beat Hutt 11. Varsity 11 beat Berhanmhoe 3. Marist 7 beat Petone 0. SENIOR B. Selwyn 12 beat Athletic 8. Johnsonville 35 beat Varsity 11. DUNEDIN RESULTS. Varsity A 17 beat Kaikoria 0. Zingari 9 beat Dunedin 6. Alhambra 15, drew with Pirates 15. Southern 13 beat Union 3. Varsity B 11 beat Taieri 8.