RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 28 August 1914, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RAXFCRLY SHIELD MATCH.

TARANAKI (6) v. SOUTHLAND (o).'

I Another challenge for the possession* of the coveted trophy was repelled on Thursday at New Plymouth, when Southland met and were defeated by Taranaki. The match was keenly contested, but on the whole was not brilhan The forwards were evenly matched, both showing up well in the loose. Ihe visitors were equal in scrum work and on the line-out were superior," eev?f ?/, them» notably Roach and McDowell being specially good in this department. The local backs were, how- [ ever better than the visitors, and got I on some excellent passing rushes, from , two of which scores resulted. Kavanagb captained the visitors and Roberts the local team. FIRST SPELL. Southland kicked off, Loveridge returning well. McNeece put in % fine kick, and from some loose play Ford» Scully and Martin took the ball down, the last-named finding the line. Play went across the field again, and Lilley kicked to touch well down. Robert* took a good mark, and a forward rush w etr y Thaulf took ? ay to the vfsixors _j. Ihe forwards contested ali the way and Forde, with a timely entd ?n h Ted- £ *ed forward rS. ended in Taranaki territory, but neat CZ b ny i Ta:ft ? rown 'and Roffi; &v, plly back *° centre- From a good kick Brown secured and passed to Stohr and he to Loveridge, and whe£ blocked he sent the ball on to D. Cameron jnd, to Taylor who was smothS-\VV,-gaJn +^ *¥ .baVame out, and C. J\ hittington finished a good dash by being put into touch. Southland worked back, and for off-side play Brown 5,»l& +T l°V n Lilley mulled the kick, and Taylor securing L"+ m a F°s. dodgy run- Southland returned to the attack and kept the local men on the defence. Good play was put in by both teams, and the baft went up and down the field. Stohr got away and sent on a fine pass to I>. Cameron, who was blocked in the li_£ A fine rush by Taranaki was stopped by Martm in great style. Then th* visitors got on a great rush and cam* i right through to the full-back. Keeping up the pressure Forde secured and P a 1? 6 run down tlle Cain and Whittmg relieved and took play back to centre, where Forde stopped ■ the rush and lined. Even play followed neither side having the advantage, Un^u ft? visitin« forwards came away with ball at toe and were sent back by Stohr's good kicking. S. Cameron securing put in a great run, and passed to D. Cameron, who finished a fine dash by almost getting over. TaranakL keeping up the pressure, worked dow^ and Brown taking from some loose play sent the ball out to R. Roberts. Ihe Taranaki flier side-stepped cleverly, and feinting eluded the opposing backs and scored a brilliant try. Stohr made a poor attempt to goal.' Taranaki 3 Southland ....".... 0 Immediately after the kick-out Roberts made another fine dash, and Taranaki attacked strongly. Some give and take play followed, and half time was sounded.

SECOND SPELL

The first part of the second spell was much in favor of Taranaki till Southland, with a great forward rush, got right down on the opposing line, and had hard luck in not scoring. They continued to make strong attacks, but without result. Stohr stopped a hot rush brilliantly and found the line. Then Taranaki set up a strong attack, Lilley and Martin doing good defensive work. Play was keen and exciting as Brown sent the ball out to Stohr, and to D. Cameron, who was pushed into touch on the corner flag. The ball came out and a good passing rush ended in Taylor almost scoring. Southland backs relieved, but Roberts secured and ran right through his opponents almost to the line. His pass out was, however, mulled, and a good chance was lost. Again Roberts mado a dash, and ; the opposing f„l-bac_^ munllig, TaranaKi almost "got over, Southland forcing. Soon after they got on a fine rush, and play was very exciting as they swarmed down ■On' t&» hne. Brown relieved with a good kic_, but, taking the ball at a gallop, Martitt turned the tables, and, kicking high, Southland were enabled to get right down on the line. Stohr saved the situation, and good play by Kissick opened up a good opportunity, and Southland forced. Stohr, immediately after the kick-out, dashed across the field and passed to C. Whittington, who was well taken by Kavanagh. Keeping up the pressure, Taranaki threw the ball about well, and a good passing rush by Brown, Stohr, Roberts and Whittington was almost successful. Southland forwards cleared their line; but the respite was only temporary. Back came the local men and the visitors forced. Then from a scramble Brown secured and sent on to Roberts. After a good dash he passed to Stohr and he to D. Cameron, who beat the full-back and scored a brilliant try. No goal resulted.

Taranaki 6 Southland 0 Taranaki forwards kept up the pressure, and several times only good! defence saved the visitors. A misfield by Loveridge gave Southland a good chance, but there were unable to score. Taranaki again attacked and by good following up Robertson almost got over. Twice in quick succession the Taranaki backs set up a strong attack, but good defence kept them out, and shortly after no side was called, leaving Taranaki victors in a hard fought game.

Mr G. Nicholson was an admirable referee, and controlled the play most efficiently.