RANFURLY SHIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23134, 5 September 1938, Page 14

RANFURLY SHIELD

OTAGO WINS AGAIN TARANAKI HEAVILY BEATEN WINNERS' LINE UNCROSSED [IJY TELF.GRArn —I'IIKSS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Sunday Otago staved off another challenge for the Ranfurly Shield yesterday afternoon when it defeated Taranaki by 21 points to 3. In striking contrast with the conditions for tho match on "Wednesday against llawke's Bay, when clouds of dust rose from tho hard surface of the Curisbrooku ground, yesterday's game between Taranaki and the Shield holders, following two days' rain, Mas played on a greasy surface before an attondancH of about (5000.

From the kick-ofl" tlio Otago forwards attacked strongly and, within eight minutes. Taylor had two shots from penalties, the first from -10 yards out going wide of tho posts, and tho next from •'(.") yards going fairly between. A long line-kick by Simpson, ihe Taranaki fullback, sent play to Otago's line, where several scrums took place, a free kick giving: much-needed relief. From a Itio.se ruck 'J'rcvuthan passed to Berghan and Perriam, who cut out two men and sent on to Werner, who dashed over at the corner. Loose rushes by the Otago forwards carried play to the visitors' twenty-five, where Trevathan missed a drop at goal. Immediately afterwards he essayed another from over lu yards out and added four points to Otago's tally. Berghan made a clever run down the centre, but was not supported. Just on half-time Meuli opened Taranaki's score with a penalty goal from just outsido the twenty-five, making tho score: Otago. in; Taranaki, :t.

Otago opened the second spell with a strong attack, and McLean got offside in a scrum. Taylor making the most of the opportunity with a kick from -10 yards out. Tho Taranaki halfback. Arnold, was conspicuous in several fast breaks from the scrum, but Brown was a weak link and Sullivan was given few opportunities to show his quality. Taranaki went close to scoring from a forward rush, and an attempt by Sullivan to pot a goal went wide. Tho visitors' forwards maintained the pressure, and Meuli went wide with a penalty kick. The Otago forwards railed strongly with a rush to Taranaki's line, where an infringement gave Taylor a shot, which lie turned to account. A clever run by Trevathan threatened the visitors' line, and a passing rush in which tho backs, including Taylor, participated, enabled Werner to touch down behind the posts. Taylor converted. Otago again attacked vigorously and another passing rush !).v backs and forwards ended with Werner scoring his third try. Taylor failed at goal, and the final score was: Otago, 24; Taranaki, fi. It is worthy of note that in six Shield matches Otngo's lino has not been crossed.

A DRAWN CONTEST

BULLER AND CANTERBURY [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WESTPORT, Sunday A representative Rugby match between Buller and Canterbury was played on Victoria Square yesterday in fine weather, but with a disconcerting wind, particularly in the second spell. It ended in a draw, each side scoring 13 points. The Buller forwards, although not as solid as the visitors, held their own, but the Buller hacks played their least impressive game of the season. The Canterbury backs had more polish than the opposing side and worked sonio great reverse-passing movements. Tho wind strengthened in the second spell, and this favoured Canterbury. Buller led at half-time, 13 —3, tries for Buller being scored by Alexander and Lake, both converted by Stewart, who also kicked a penalty goal. Empson scored an unconverted fry for Canterbury. Tho visitors added two tries in the second spell by Duncan and Foley, both being converted bv Heaziewood. In the Canterbury pack, Bnind, Duncan, Cunningham, Homes and Foley, were outstanding, whlie Saundercock, White, Empson and Heaziewood showed out most prominently in the backs. For Buller, Mason, Lake and Pratt were the pick of a good pack, but none of the backs showed play of a high standard.

WIN FOR HAWKE'S BAY

SOUTH CANTERBURY DEFEATED [BY TELEGRArn —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] TIMARU, Sunday Hawke's Bay concluded its southern tour yesterday by defeating South Canterbury by 36 points to 6. The ground was a nuagmire as the result of two days' rain, which ceased, before the game commenced. In patches there were large pools of water, but the visitors made light of the conditions, giving a bright display. The backs never hesitated to open up play when given possession, and thev handled the heavy and greasy hall in delightful fashion. Their exhibition generally was one of the best on a wet day witnessed for many years, - The Hawke's Bay forwards did not have things their own way in the scrums and tight, but in the loose they were always dangerous, giving the home backs a torrid time. Bowman played an outstanding game in the Hawke's Bay pack, ably supported by MeKenzle, Dallimore and Ward. Clothier gave good service behind the scrum and, with Bradley and Palmer making few mistakes, the ihreeqiiHrters had plenty of opportunities. but were unable to show their true pace owing to the heavy ground. South Canterbury held its own up to the Interval, when the visitors led o—3. but in the second half the visitors were definitely superior. The star of the home backs was T. C. Morrison, who made a number of bright runs, and his pace twice enabled him to catch Fox and Anscy when tries looked certain. He kicked two penalty goals, one from no yards out near touch. In the, home pack the former All Black, Adkins, and Fitzgerald showed up. The latter gives promise of reaching big football. For Hawke's Bay tries were scored by Bowman 02). Apsey and Bradley. Bradley and Fox each converted a try.