RANFURLY SHIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20959, 24 August 1931, Page 11

RANFURLY SHIELD.

SUCCESS OF CANTERBURY.

WELLINGTON TEAM DEFEATED.

WINNERS' TWO-POINT MARGIN.

[Bt TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] TTELLIXGTOK, Saturday. Canterbury won the Ranfurly Shield match against Wellington at Athletic Park this afternoon by 8 points to 6. Canterbury led by 3 points to 0 at halftime, but in the second spell Wellington put on two tries, neither of which was converted. I. niil 15 mmutes from the end Wellington was leading, 6—3. Then Day scored a fine try for Canterbury under the posts, Roberts converting. Wellington was unable to score again. The match was not an inspiring exhibition of football, and both sides lost numerous opportunities through mishandling and tactical blunders. On the day Canterbury fully deserved its win. In the first spell the challengers usually held the advantage, although in the latter stages of the spell Wellington was frequently seen attacking. The holders came to light with a great spurt in the second spell. Canterbury's winning try was preceded by a persistent attack, which finished right on the Wellington line, where the ball eventually was sent out to the backs, and Day fended off Nicholls to score under the posts.

The game was remarkable for the number of injuries in both spells, play being frequently held up so that ambulance men could give attention to players who had been hurt. Two Canterbury men, Andrews and Kearney, had to retire, and Fuller, of Wellington, had to stay off at half-time. Another remarkable feature

was that comparatively few penalties were awarded. Canterbury received more than Wellington, but on only one occasion was a penalty kick at goal taken. Canterbury Scores First. Canterbury kicked off and gained ground with a forward rush, but was % in an awkward position when R'oberts, the tailback, fumbled a high luck and had three men on him before he could clear. The bail went into touch-in-goal. Soon afterwards Canterbury had to force down, but from the drop out pot away in a good rush that penetrated to the Wellington twenty-five. There Coulston was penalised for offside play, but Roberts missed the ktck at goal. The backs on each side handled on occasions, with the Canterbury men by far the more successful. Twice they were held up at the last moment by Lilburne. The first score came after half an hour s plav. Lhiy. the Canterbury five-eighths, got away round the blind s;de of a scrum and cross-kicked just before being tackled bv Page. McDonald and Lilburne Jumbled the ball between them. and were caught m possession. .A scrum was formed near the Wellington line and Canterbury hooked the bail, allowing Mulian to set Oliver and Innes going. 1 ise lastnamed crossed well out, and Roberts missed with the kick. The score at hahtime was:—Canterbury. 3: Wellington. 0. In the second spell Wellington attacked persistently, and about 10 minutes from the start Lilburne. now playing at fiveeighths, picked up from a Canterbury forward rush and got through the opposing vanguard. He was tackled, but ">n the .ruck the bait was kicked over the line and Hu.vtable won the race for it. Nichoils missed the slv-t. Hicbolls Fended 05. Innes had a drop at roa! for Canterbury near half-way. but the bast ted a few vards short. Soon alterwards the Wellington forwards got away in a great loose rush which started ;it the Canterbury twenty-five, and Price finished off the attack by scoring well out. Nichoils again missed. Canterbury replied with a series of movements that gradually gained ground, and, after a long attack ;n the Wellington twenty-five, the bail was seoored Lv the Canterbury forwards. Mullan sent out a great pass to Day. who fended off a weak tackle by Nichoils and scored between the posts. Roberts had no difficulty in converting. In the closing stages of the game Wellington took risks in its efforts to of»en up the game, and Canterbury had a lot of defending to do. It was equal to the task, however, and its sure tackling prevented Wellington from penei rating far. The game ended:—Canterbury, 8; Wellington, 6. Mr. J. King, of Tarnnaki, was referee.