THESE SHIELD MATCHES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 August 1935, Page 14

THESE SHIELD MATCHES

NO WEDNESDAY FIXTURES CONTROVERSY TWO YEARS AGO. SEASON TOO STRENUOUS. A spirited defence of Canterbury in its desire not to play Wednesday' matches for the Ranfurly Shield if this can be avoided is made by A. H. Carman, editor of the '“New Zealand Rugby Almanac,” in the Wellington “Dominion,” in reply to some of the writings of sporting critics who have been asserting that Canterbury' is “dodging” a challenge from Wellington.

Dealing with the assertion that Canterbury refused to meet Wellington in 1933, he says: “Wellington were offered two or three Saturday dates from which to choose, but, owing to the fact that they had already' arranged other matches for those dates, the offer was declined, and Canterbury were challenged for a Wednesday match, which was refused.”

He recalls that in 1933 Canterbury had a strenuous season, playing shield matches as follows: —’August 2, v. Ashburton, won 31-7; August 19, v. Southland, won 21-3; August 26, v. Otago, won 8-5; September 2, v. West Coast, won 23-14; September 9, v. Buller, won 13-3; September 16, v. Taranaki, drawn, 15-15;. September 23, v. South Canterbury, won 6-3; September 30, v. King Country, won 36-0.

“Surely, then, it was reasonable to decline a mid-week match, which entailed special leave for the players, especially as the northern tour had just been undertaken,” adds Mr. Carman.

“Now, again, this year Canterbury is on tour, and upon their return have every Saturday already arranged for representative fixtures at home (and according to the shield rules only home games can be for the shield.) Their fixture list is as follows:—August 21 (Wednesday), r. Wanganui; August 24, v. Wairarapa; August 31, v. Southlando; September 7, v. West Coast; September 14, v. South Canterbury; September 21, v. Otago; September’ 28, possibly Buller.

“Any additional fixtures would be unreasonable both to the union and to the individual players.”