RANFURLY SHIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 13

RANFURLY SHIELD

OTAGO'S EASY VICTORY

DEFEAT OF NORTH AUCKLAND CHALLENGERS FAIL TO SCORE [BY TELEGBAFH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Sunday Otago easily resisted the challenge of North Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield yesterday, defeating the visitors by 30 points to <0 in a one-sided game. There was an attendance of about 9000 and the ground was in fair order considering a fall of nearly Sin. of snow last Friday. The weather was fine, with a strong south-west wind.

Otago did not have all its own way in the first ,spell, scoring only five points. After halftime, however, it attacked consistently. The hacks were not certain in the first half when the visitors' stubborn defence kept them from making headway, but later they linked up well, and made many line attacks. Taylor played' a great game at fullback, frequently joining in passing bouts. Trevathan's boot was as sure as ever, and he scored 15 points.

The Otago pack worked well when settled down. Laney, Vorrath, Hore and Foreman wore always in the thick of the play. North Auckland as a team shone on defence, its tackling being deadly throughout, but it was weak on attack, and looked like scoring only once. The,backs lacked penetration and did not link up well, thoir movements being quickly smothered by the fastbreaking Otago forwards. The North Auckland forwards played a good defensivo game, Whiu and Piarama being outstanding. Although the pack broke away on several occasions, it did not back up well, and the rushes were easily stopped. Otago attacked from the kick-off and kept North Auckland pinned in its own twentyfive for a poriod. McSkimming dribbled to the line and Simon followed up fast to score, Trevalhan converting. There was no further scoring during the spell. Otago attacked on resuming and Trevathan potted a neat goal. Otago pressed again, and Siirvon ran round the blind side -of a scrum and passed to Laney, who fought his way over the line. Trevathan converted with a magnificent kick. Otago was awarded a free kick in front of the posts, Trevathan making no mistake. The prettiest movement of the game came when Simon sent the backs away, Mahoney cutting in beautifully to race for the lino. Mahoney threw infield when tackled, and McSkimming gathered in well to score behind the posts. Trevathan converted.

The North Auckland forwards staged a great rush, but a knock-on spoilt the effort. The Otago pack worked back deep into the visitors' territory, and Gold went over for a good try. Trevathan failed. A moment later Gold scored again in the corner, Trevathan converting. There was no further scoring, the game ending:—Otago, 30; North Auckland, 0. Mr. N. Reardon was referee.