RANFURLY SHIELD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 August 1928, Page 3

RANFURLY SHIELD.

WAIRARAPA RETAINS TROPHY. WEL LI NGTON DEFEATED. (By Telegraph — Pres* Association.; CARTERTON, Aug. 22. Wairarapa. beat Wellington at Carterton to-day in a Ranfurly Shield match by nine to tTiree . The weather was splendid, there being practically no wind, and there was an attendance of between 4000 and 5000. The Wellington forwards, led by Porter and Sly with Coulston, Blacker and Shearer well up, commenced the attack, but determined- resistance sent them hack. Returning . after a short spell, Ramson, for illegal tactics .in the scrum, had a ishot at goal from ten yards inside halfway,„ but. the ball passed just outside the- posts. Within a lew minutes Q. Donald was caught off-side in front of the goal and Ramson had another try at goal. This time; from a yard inside half-way, he landed a beautiful goal. Wairarapa livened-up and drove Wellington- back to the twenty-five. After pretty work by Sharp and Cooke the latter centred and recovered. Alack ay tackled him and Ramson speculated, finding the corner llag. Porter received from the line-out and relieved with a flue kick to the twenty-fir e.

Wairarapa, returned to the attack and Hart opened up two. promising el forts, hut the defence was too solid and both stopped short of their objective. Handling in the scrum gave Porter a chance t-o relieve, and lie lined near the twentylive tlag. Another Wairarapa rush looked very dangerous till Camming took a timely mark and relieved. "With play at the centre or the field Coman gave a clever dummy and ran down the line, passing to Alackay. The latter ran brilliantly till Yates upset lnm. ■Porter was illegally tackled by Q. Donlaid midway between the half and twenty-five lines and slightly to the side. Ramson made a good effort to goal, but missed. Roach fielded well out. and lined near, half-way. Following the throw-in. Cooke centred from a passing rush and Stringfellow caught Gumming with the ball. Porter and his forwards rallied round and there was a. severe tussle near the goal. Dire.ftiy in front a free kick was given Waii a rap a for faulty scrumming. Cooke was given a chance, but lie kicked a poster. Coman sent- McKenzie, Brown, and Porter a way, and the latter crossed only to be brought- back by the line umpire. After a period of give and take play Cooke was tackled without tl)e ball and Yates goaled with a fine kick ten yards inside half-way, mak ing the score, equal. Ramson then made spectacular play. Slrarpe. Cooke, and Stringfellow were passing in the Wellington twenty-fit e when "Ramson intercepted, ran well, and passed to Shearer ad Chaney, but the Wairarapa forwards packed round and saved. Wairarapa set up a vigorous attack, the forwards and backs all taking part, and the movement ended in tlie hall bouncing off Willoughby’s knee over the line. Cumming and McKenzie. both dived for. it and missed,

but Sharpe scored. Yates kicked the placer’s hand instead of the ball. Halftime came with the scores : Wairarapa d Wellington 6 In the. second spell Wairarapa field the ascendancy nearly all through, except for sudden forays, which , were very dangerous while they lasted. There was spectacular play oil both sides, especially by the Wellington forwards. Mad the' latter been backed up the result might have been different, though it was difficult to say, as the. tackling all round was very deadly. Wellington accepted four forces and Wairarapa one. In the latter, Mackenzie secured a. high pass from Cooke, ran in a dazzling manner, and transfererd to Peterson; who got to within two yards from the line, where he lost the ball. The forwards carried on, and a hot melee ended in McGregor forcing just in time.

Towards the ends' of the game Stringfellow sent a high pass to Cummings. He and Hart arriving as the ball reached Cumming’s arms, lie passed wildly to Mackay, who was tackled by Hart as he kicked. Stringfellow charged down, and the ball went out near the Wellington corner. " Coman relieved with a good line kick, but Yi airarapa returned. Cooke essayed a cut in to - the goal, but was grounded. Chaney shot tlie ball back to Sharp, who punted into a gap- String-fellow gathered and passed to Cooke, and the Jatter to Yates, who was floored at the corner by Peterson, Porter sending the ball into touch. Sharpe and Cooke were again associated in an effort to pierce, the latter being tackled, but getting up and carrying on. He was tackled again and lost the ball as lie fell. Q. Donald dived through the ruck /to score.. Yates took the kick and niissed, but , was awarded another try .on account of a charge too soon. He again missed. A few minutes later time sounded with tlie scores :

Wai rara pa Wellington • Air. H. J. AfcKenzie refereed