Interprovincial Rugby.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 234, 26 September 1921, Page 2

Interprovincial Rugby.

KANFURLY SHIELD CONTEST. WELLINGTON WINS AGAIN. OTAGO DEFEATED BY 13 to 8. Wellington, Sept 24. There was glorious weather for the Ranfurly Shield match between Otago (challengers) and Wellington (holders) on Athletic Park. About 10,000 spectators wore present. At the commence ment Otago attacked with plenty of vim and were awarded two penalties in quick succession. Perry failed with a kick at goal. Wellington, mainly through the ''agency of H. Nicholls, who was playing a good game behind the scrum, and Jackson, the fleety wing, got their backs going, but Otago’s defence was very sound. The Otago forwards were keeping up their reputation and did good work in the hx>ne. The visitors were awarded another penalty, but Owles failed, though not by a very big margin. The (forward division was mainly responsible for the first Otago score. Patterson secured near the Wellington goal line, and a pretty piece of work saw Owles struggle over. The crdwd'ioudly cheered the fine bit of combined work. Richardson failed to convert. Otago 3, Wellington 0.

It was not long, however, before Wellington showed a true dash, the backs combining in the best manner. Wellington were assisted by the poor handling of the majority of the Otago backs and they went very near to scoring on several occasions. The champions’ first try was most unexpected. Wellington had been worrying the Otago defence for a considerable period and a scrum was ordered near the goal. The ball was hooked to 11. Nicholls, who coolly potted a magniiiccent goal. "Wellington 4, Otago 3. A little later Coombcs (Otago) was injured and had to retire. He wqs replaced by Wilson. Up to this the game had been full of dash, but there

were great things to come. There was a line-out in Wellington’s twenty-five. After throwing in the ball King whipped round and was in to score. King failed with the kick. Wellington 7, Otago 3. The came Otago’s turn again, the forwards playing with great dash and any misiaxe on the part of the Wellington backs was quickly taken advantage of. Hawke made a great run down the field and was collared near the line, but managed to pass to Owles and the latter scored under the posts. Richardson had no difficulty in converting. Otago 8, Wellington 7. Just prior tj this Wilson apparently scored alter a great run by btowart, but a livq yards out scrum was ordered. For the remainder of the spell the Otago defence was found badly want* ing and a nice forward rush by Wellington saw Ryan pass to Duncan and the latter scored an easy try. The kick at goal failed. Wellington 10, Otago 3. Wellington were attacking when the bell rang, but the bull was- still in play. I\l. Nicholls secured from the ruck and wriggled his way through in the best manner and scored. He took the kick himself, but failed. Wellington 13, Otago 8. With the sun and wind behind them Otago made the pace in the early stage of the second spell. The forwards were going great guns, Richardson, the All Black, showing out prominently. These were anxious times for Wellington, but the superlatively good defence of the local team, nptably D. Aigar, kept them out. The game had developed into a grim struggle Jietween line forwards and brilliant backs, with Otago having much the better of it. At length. Wellington obtained relief, but I’erry returned with a line line kick, and again the local men hud to withstand a severe onslaught. After play hovered for a while about half-way, Owles got the ball out to Stewart, who made a great sprint down the line, only to be pushed out at the corner. It was the worst bit of hick in the game, and Stewart’s splendid effort evoked applause. Play occasionally moved up to Otago’s territory and then matters looked serious for the visitors. However, Otago came again, Hie back doing better than in the first spell. A particularly dangerous rush by Otago saw the latter awarded a penalty, but to the surprise of everybody Richardson missed a very easy shot;. This was followed by McNaughton, Hawke and Owles combining in a promising movement, but bad luck was their companion. A little later Otago were awarded a penalty, but the kick by Owles was charged down, and play shifted to the other end. From this on the game was .full of incident, for Otago were only five points behind the champions and were holding their own well. However, the backs were not equal to pushing their efforts home, and after lively bouts of play the game ended without further score. This closed the Rugby season in Wellington and the locals hold the Ranfurly Shield till next year. Mr 11. McKenzie was the re force. TARANAKI (21) v. AUCKLAND (10) GREAT GAME AT NEW PLYMOUTH. New Plymouth, Sept. 25. A match between Taranaki and Auckland was played to-day at Pukckura ."Park under perfect weather conditions, and on a dry ground in the presence of about 3000 spectators. The All Blacks, Kingston, West and Fog* arty, played in the Taranaki team for the first time since the week before the first test, and with Ifwerson, Auckland, gave additional interest to the match. The game was keenly contested and hard fought throughout, both sides making it as open as possible, with the result that there was a good deal of spectacular play. The game was full of incident and interesting throughout, the spectators often

being roused to enthusiasm by the forward rushes and passing bouts of both sides. Taranaki gained the victory by 21 point to .10 and on the day Taranaki were much the better team, outclassing the visitors in roost departments. The local team played a great game, reminiscent of their titanic struggle against the Springboks. The forwards were superior to Auckland in the loose and on the line-out, whilst in th scrum work honours were even. The Taranaki backs gave a surprisingly good exhibition in attack, whilst their defence was sound, with the result that the Auckland rearguard did not get too many chances to drive home their attacks, though they were very dangerous at times. The game was played throughtout in the friendliest spirit, but was hard fought, and there were several minor casualties, Lusk and Coutts (Taranaki) and Ifwerson (Auckland) having to retire. Kingston, the New Zealand full-back started playing as wing three-quarter, but the retirements caused him to play centre three-quarter and then full, where he gave a great exhibition