Ranfurly Shield

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 211, 7 September 1936, Page 8

Ranfurly Shield

NORTH AUCKLAND TEAM OUTCLASSED. OTAGO’S MARGIN 30 POINTS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Last Night. Otago easily resisted the cliallango of North Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield to-day, defeating North Auckland by 30 points to nil in a one-sided game. There was an attendance of about 9000 and tho ground was in fair order considering the fall of nearly three inches of snow on the previous day. The weather was fine with a strong south-west wind. Otago did not have it all their own way in the first spell, scoring only live points, but after half-time they attack ed consistently. The backs were not certain in tho first half, when the visitors’ stubborn defence kept them from making headway, but later they linked up well and made many slashing attacks.

Taylor played a great game at fullback, frequently joining in the passing rushes. Trovathan’s boot was as sure as ever and ho scored 15 points himself. Simon was magnificent behind the scrum and Gold, substituting for Watt, ran strongly, scoring two good tries.

Black was well marked but always dangerous. The blue pack worked well when it sottled down, Laney, Vorrath, Hore and Foreman always being in the thick of play. North Auckland, as a team, shone on defence, the tackling being deadly throughout, but they were weak on attack and looked like scoring only once. Tho backs lacked penetration and did not link up well, their movements being quickly smothered by the fast-breaking Otago forwards. The forwards played a good defensive game, Whiu and Piarama being outstanding, but although they broke away on several occasions they did not back up well and their rushes wero easily stopped. Otago attacked from the kick-off and kept North Auckland pinned in their own twenty-five, Trevathan nearly going over on his own. The play was uninteresting and remained in the visitors’ territory nearly 15 minutes, when Whiu found touch at the Otago twentyfive with a speculator. An exchange of long kicks again put Otago on the attack and the backs swung into action, Gold putting in a good run before being grassed. MeSkimming then dribbled to the line and Simon followed up fast to score, Trevathan converting. The blues continued to have the better of tho play, although hard tackling by North Auckland kept them in check. Simon dummied his way through and passed to MeSkimming, who tried to go too far on his own. Vorrath led a forward rush that made a lot of ground for Otago, but Franish saved well. Tight scrummaging followed in which Black made a strong bid for the line but slipped on a greasy patch. A long kick by Trevathan put Otago on the attack opening the second spell and North Auckland forced following a free kick to tho blues. Foreman fielded the kick-off and handed to Trevathan, who potted a neat goal. Otago pressed again and play hung on the visitors’ line till Simon ran round the blind side of the scrum and passed to Laney who fought his way over the line, Trevathan converting with a magnificent kick. Otago were now playing with more dash and only stubborn defence by North Auckland kept down the score. Tho blues were awarded a free kick right in front, Trevathan making no mistake. Tho prettiest movement of tho day came when Simon sent his backs away, Mahoney cutting in beautifully to race for the line. He threw infield when tackled and MeSkimming gathered in well to score behind the posts. Trevathan converted. Tho North Auckland forwards then staged a great rush, but a knock-on spoilt the effort and the blue pack worked deep into the visitors’ territory. With 12 minutes to go the Otago backs again got going, Gold streaking for the line to go over for a good try. Trevathan missed. A moment later the full-back, Taylor, received from Tre vathan in his own twenty-live and ran to ’ the opposing twenty-five before passing to Gold who scored again in the corner, Trevathan converting. . There was no further score, the game ending: Otago 30, North Auckland nil. Mr N. Reardon was the referee. Hawke’s Bay Colts Beat Nelson. Per Press Association. NELSON, Last Night. On a dry ground under fine conditions tho Hawke’s Bay colts overwhelmed Nelson by 37 points to 11. The Bay led at half time by 21 to 8 and in the second half the Bay added 1G and Nelson 3 points. Scorers for the Bay wero Walford (4), Joil (2), Holt, Irwin and Fraser. For Nelson Drummond (2) and Craig scored. Play was fast but not high-class, there being few clean scrums and few combined back movements. Poverty Bay Beat Wellington Colts

GISBORNE, Last Night. In complete contrast to the previous day when heavy rain fell at frequent intervals, spring-like weather was experienced on Saturday when Poverty Bay met the Wellington colts team. The gato was very large and the ground was iu good condition. Poverty Bay won by 19 points to 16. At half time the score was 5 —3 iu favour of Wellington. For the first few minutes the spectators were promised a good bitior. of back play but the game soon settled down to a contest between the forwards. In the second half Wellington scored within a minuto of the resumption of play from a nice back movement, and from then onwards good back play was witnessed. Poverty Bay wero superior in tho forwards, their players being more experienced and feeding the backs well. Thet local backs’ play, however, was spoilt by fue inside backs of Wellington, whose play

was more penetrating than that of the homesters. The kicking of O’Connor, the Wellington full-back, was a feature of the game, one penalty being sem over from near the lino eight yards inside the halfway line. Brown at hall and Edwards at live-eighth did good work. Forbes on the wing was very speedy and once he scored a good try leaving the Poverty Bay men standing Kerschberg, Mollier and Pringlo were the best of the forwards. Mathieson and McAneny were the best backs for the Bay and Rogers, Morrison, McKinley and Julian did good work in the forwards. For the Bay Mathieson (2), McKinley and McAneny scored tries, two being converted by Julian and Campbell. Julian also kicked a penalty. The scorers for Wellington were Forbes (2), and Kerschberg. while O’Connor converted two and kicked a penalty goal.