Otago Regain Ranfurly Shield

Northern Advocate, 1 August 1938, Page 2

Otago Regain Ranfurly Shield

[Per Press Association. Copyright.] INVERCARGILL, This Day.

Tremendous enthusiasm and the well-known keen rivalry between the two provinces were features of the interprovincial match at Invercargill today. They were intensified by the fact that the teams met in the first shield challenge of the year. An invasion of about 4000 Otago supporters from Dunedin assisted in making the crowd at Rugby Park of record proportions for the ground. Both sides were below strength. Southland attacked immediately, and scrums and line-outs followed on Otago’s line till a, force-down I’elieved. After twenty minutes’ play, Barnett kicked a penalty for Southland from a handy position.

Otago took a turn at attacking, and Gillies cut a man out for Spillane and Perriam to send on to Black, who scored a fine try at the corner. Trevathan missed.

Hard, vigorous play, but not brilliant football, marked the first spell. Although Southland held a slight territorial advantage, and their backs handled accurately, they made little impression against the stout Otago defence. The half-time score was: Otago 3. Southland 3. Trevathan Pots Goal.

The second spell was sensational. Southland enjoyed a territorial advantage. and again had the lion’s share

of the ball. Their backs were always safely helped by Gillies and company, who tackled excellently. After a strong run down the left wing by Werner. Otago heeled smartly and Gillies manoeuvred Trevathan into position, and from a tight comer Trevathan potted a magnificent goal.

Three minutes later Otago were penalised for lying on the ball, and Barnett kicked a penalty goal: Otago 7. Southland 6.

Purdue, Southland’s half-back, played a fine game on defence, and his covering up and good line-kicking

saved his forwards. In the closing stages, Southland strove desperately to score, and three times in quick succession Otago had to force. By Single Point. The Southland rearguard were stodgy on attack, but their forwards played a fine game. Herron, Hamilton and Soper were a vigorous trio. McDonald, Niven and Vorrath, until injured, played well in the Otago pack. Campbell, a young player, coming in the last minute, served Otago well behind the scrum, and Gillies, Spillane and Perriam will develop into a good inside combination. Black and Werner were both first urate on the wings, and Trevathan gave a high-class exhibition at full-back. Tense excitement prevailed to the whistle, and the Otago team received a great ovation at the end of the match. The final score was:— Otago 7 I Southland 6