SEDDON SHIELD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 13 September 1937, Page 8

SEDDON SHIELD

RETAINED BY DULLER NELSON BEATEN BY 9 TO 3 GAME PLAYED IN HEAVY It AIN CHALLENGERS LEAD AT HALETIME I Spot-lit I lu "The JLiil'J WESTPORT, lllli September. To their supporters Duller, the holders, took on alarmingly long while oil Saturday to give an indication that the Seddon Shield was due to remain over tlie summer recess in Westport, wien a strong Nelson til teen put out a determined challenge for the trophy. The match was played in almost the worst possible weather conditions, with a howling northerly gale sweeping the playing held on Victoria Square ana heavy rain falling for most of the game. Nelson won the toss and played witn the wind behind them in the first spell, [t was in this period that they might have consolidated their position and possibly turned out winners of the Shield, but with conditions so much in their favour, a three to nil lead at half-time was not an impressive margin and so Duller, taking better advantage of the ruling circumstances, ran out winners by !J to 3. The match was a more or less unsatisfactory one, in that Nelson gave indications that on a fine day they

might very nearly have taken the trophy away from Duller. They did not seem to adapt themselves to the conditions ns well as their opponents, but at limes showed glimpses of what the team would be capable of on a firm ground. Good back play by either side was almost impracticable, but from one of the real high lights of the game, the Nelson backs staged the best passing movement of the day, the ball coming out of a loose ruck in Boiler's 25 to Costello, who whipped it out like a dash to catch the Buller rearguard out of position, and Watson, the left wing three-quarter, finished off with a great try after Brindsdcn, Cooke and Busch had also handled. Nelson were dangerous on several other occasions in the first spell, when their forwards went away in some thrilling rallies, and on two occasions McLean and Lovell, both of whom had been playing with exceptional vigour, went within inches of their objective, tn this spell Nelson had a decided advantage. but could not finish off several fine movements, which, with a little luck, might have produced results.

In the second half Buller made a series of brilliant forward rushes, in which Orman, Mason and Brown were prominent and it was from one particularly determined effort that Phipps scored the equalising try after Orman had made the opening. It was almost hopeless to attempt a conversion from the difficult position near the side line, and Stewart’s optimism was not rewarded. Nelson rallied, with the forwards coming through and Busch and Brinsden dangerous in tiie backs, but the latter generally minimised any chances they had of pulling the game out of lie fire by kicking to Butter, for the latter to take advantage of the wind to carry their clearing kicks away up field.

Dullcr's second try came from a good movement when Straehan, the second live-eighth, cut through in a swerving run to send the ball on to A. Caldwell, who with Orman had loomed tip In support, and the latter finished otf by crossing almost under the posts. Again the attempt at conversion failed. Buller (!. Nelson 3 Boiler’s earlier anxiety was somewhat relieved by this second try and completely so when from a rucking movement on Nelson's line Straehan sent Butterfield over for the final scoring effort of the match. Bulfer 9, Nelson 3.

The game was a very keen one, practically confined to two splendid sets of forwards. Although beaten by a great pack in the loose, Nelson more than held their own in the tight rucks and iri the set serums Elect did marvellously to keep Orman down to a 00-40 percentage of the ball. lu the second half the Nelson rake did well to almost share honours with his redoubtable opponent. McLean proved a great leader for the visiting pack, while Lovell, Craig. I Drummond and McKay also played I with great dash. Lovell was especially j prominent in the loose. The best back on the ground was the Nelson half, Costello, who played like a Trojan on defence, saving his side! time and again in the second spell, and I always being versatile on attack. Brinsden showed initiative as first five- I eighth and Cooke at second distinguished himself mainly by his splendid dc- j fence. Busch and Watson were the best of the other Nelson backs. Of the Buller backs Stewart was j probably the best at first live-eighth, while Mill and Strachan also showed j out in some good movements. Orman, Mason, Brown and Lake were \ a splendid quartette of Buller forwards.

They were repeatedly under notice for good play. The teams were as follows: — BULLER—(Cardinal and Blue) Full-back: F. Neighbours. Three-quarters: J. Hill, A. Dunn, R. Butterfield Five-eighths: A. Strachan, S. Stewart. Half-back: 11. Finla.vson. Forwards: J. Lake, Orman (captain), R Pratt. G. Mason, A. Caldwell, G. Wilson, J. Brown, T. Phipps. NELSON—(Navy and Sky Blue) Full-back: 11. Scoltoek. Three-quarters: R. Boyce, R. Busch, R. Watson. Five-eighths: R. Cooke, D. Brinsden. Half-back: Costello.

Forwards: W. Andrews, T. Fleet, G. Lusty, J, Craig, J. McKay, C. Drummond, F. H. McLean (captain), C Lovell.

Mr R. Blazcy, of Christchurch, was the referee.