RUGBY MATCHES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 September 1936, Page 9

RUGBY MATCHES

CANTERBURY DEFEAT AUSTRALIA

BY MARGIN OF ONE POINT

EXCITING GAME AT LANCASTER

PARK

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, 19th September. Canterbury’s Rugby representatives have never been beaten by an international side at Lancaster Park since 1882 and they maintained that record by triumphing over Australia by a narrow margin of one point. The score was Canterbury 19, Australia 18. No more exciting a match has been seen on the oval for many seasons. Canterbury led at half-time by 11 points to 3. Soon after the interval, two more tries, one converted, made the score 19-3 in Canterbury’s favour. The Australians then set out to make up the leeway and their backs and forwards showed spectacular enterprise and speed. The visitors scored three more tries and Hayes, the captain of the side, converted all three. A ~ Canterbury showed unexpectedly good form, rising again to the standard reached when they played Auckland a month ago. The forwards rucked and lined out with vigour, and held the big Australian pack at nearly all stages of the game. The Canterbury backs ran straighter than their opponents and this feature gave the Canterbury attacks more thrust. The Australians’ effort in the last 20 minutes was remarkable. Their backs combined with greater certainty than they had shown early. Bridle, a forward playing centre three-quarter, missed many passes in the first half, but in the second he was very sure and he kept on feeding his fast wings, McLean and Kelaher, who frequently had the defenders anxious. The match was played in brilliant sunshine and the ground was in perfect order for fast Rugby. Australia played against the sun in the first half and the score was a penalty kicked for Canterbury by McAuliffe from an easy position. The second was the result of a loose forward rush. Sandrett made a good breakaway and when tackled shot a good pass to Manchester, who scored near the posts. McAuliffe missed an easy shot. A few minutes later the Canterbury forwards hooked the ball from a scrum in Australia’s twenty-five. Five backs handled and good, straight running by Hooper and Pawson made Gilliespie’s task easy. McAuliffe goaled with a good shot. Australia then attacked again and again, and several tries were narrowly missed. Hodgson eventually forced his way over at the corner with three opponents clinging to him. Rankin’s shot missed and the score at half-time was: Canterbury 11, Australia 3. The next try was a fine solo effort by Rankin, who handed off three opponents and scored under the posts. McAuliffe goaled. The Canterbury forwards played all over the Australians for a few minutes and Cooper scored a try a,few yards from the posts. McAuliffe missed. Australia’s turn came now. Bridle made a brilliant run down the centre and shot an accurate pass to Kelaher, who scored. From a scrum near the Canterbury line Gibson wriggled round out of the grasp of three or four opponents and scored. Last of all McLean kicked high and followed up to score a dazzling try. All three kicks were taken by Hayes and all three registered goals, the final score being Canterbury 19, Australia 18.

HART ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

After the Australia—Canterbury match, G. F. Hart, the All Black wingthreequarter announced that he had played his last game of rugby. He said that it was time for him to .concentrate on business.

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

OTAGO RESIST WELLINGTON’S CHALLENGE

DUNEDIN, This Day.

Playing on a dry ground in the presence of 23,000 spectators, Otago resisted the challenge of Wellington in the seventh Ranfurlv Shield match of the season, winning by 16 points to 3. The first half early developed into a dour forward struggle between two evenly matched packs, neither side letting the other get far The only really bright spot was a magnificent try by J. M. Watt after half-time. Otago got the measure of Wellington, keeping the visiting team hemmed near its own line for about half an hour adding another 11 points. For Otago, Watt, Trevathan and Fookes scored tries, while Trevathan converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Wellington Nees scored a try.

A THRILLING FINISH

HAWKES BAY DEFEAT AUCKLAND

NAPIER, This Day.

Staging a thrilling finish, the Hawkes Bay rugby representatives defeated Auckland before an attendance of only 3500. The northerners held the advantage for more than three parts of the game, but lacked the finishing powers of Hawkes Bay, who ran out the winners by 25 points to 19, 11 points being scored in almost as many minutes in the closing stages of the game.

MATCH AT AUCKLAND WIN FOR KING COUNTRY AUCKLAND, This Day. In a representative rugby match, King Country defeated Auckland by 33 points to 15. The Auckland side contained seven A representatives who were unable to travel to Hawkes Bay, but. King Country displayed brilliant form in the second spell. HIGH SCORING MATCH WANGANUI DEFEAT WELLINGTON WELLINGTON, This Day. Scoring six tries, four of which were converted, to four tries, three of which were converted, Wanganui beat Wellington at Rugby at Athletic Park at Wellington on Saturday, the final score being 29 points to 21. Each side scored a penalty goal. INDISPOSED AUSTRALIANS SPECTATORS AT WANGANUIWELLINGTON MATCH WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr Gordon Shaw, Maanger of the Wallabies, who has been suffering from influenza, and T. P. Pauling, who

was injured in the first match against New Zeaalnd, were spectators at the Wanganui-Wellington game on Saturday. Mr Shaw will join the team tomorrow on its arrival from the South Island, but Pauling will remain here until the Wallabies leave for Sydney.