RANFURLY SHIELD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8835, 11 September 1914, Page 3

RANFURLY SHIELD

“LIFTED” BY WELLINGTON HARD-WON VICTORY' OVER TARANAKI. Press Association. STRATFORD, September 10. There was an attendance of about 2500 people when Wellington "lifted" the Eanfurly Shield from Taranaki today in a contest that is considered to be tho finest exhibition of Rugby seen in the province for many years. Particularly in the first spell was the game attractive, and full of incident. Time and again the black backs turned the yellow attack into defence as by a wave of the hand; yet as often the yellow forwards broke through from their own territory and swept everything before them, till Twomey at full outflanked them with his kicks. The holders of the Shield were somewhat unfortunate, as they lost their captain at the end of the first half, and Young (forward) had to be replaced half-way through the second spell, which had an appreciable effect upon the succeeding play. Taranaki kicked off. and with three minutes gone tho first score was registered, a goal being landed by Stohr (Taranaki), from a free kick. The yellows were defending for ten minutes off and on. until seventeen minutes had flown by, when, Stohr making a miskick in front, of his own goal. Algar picked up and coolly potted a neat goal with his left. At the twenty-five minutes’ stage a great passing rush by the yellow forwards ended in Taylor scoring, and again the Shield was safe. The first force was registered at thirty-two minutes, when Stohr, kicking hard, the challengers forced. After an interchange of kicks the leather passed right through the black backs, and Fisher was thrown over at the corner flag, but not before he had grounded the ball. Evenson failed with the kick, and tho score was— Wellington 7 Taranaki 6 The Shield, as it happened, had said "good-byo" to the butter province, but thirty-five minutes had gone in the second spell before there wag any alteration in the score. Play was about half-way when, from the ruck, Moffatt passed to Roberts, and Tilyard sent the ball on to Algaf. who landed a bombshell behind the posts in the enemy’s camp. Roberts secured the extra points, and the score read — Wellington 12 Taranaki 6 There were some exciting times from this on to the sound of "no side.” but there was no further score. . Cries of “Good luck. Wellington.’ and “The better team won,” were heard on all sides as the challengers, with smile-wreathed countenances, bore the Shield in triumph hack to their hotel. , , J Mr G. Nicholson, of Auckland, made an impartial referee. SOUTH CANTERBURY BEAT OTAGO. Press Association. TIMARU, September 10. The Otago touring Rugby team played South Canterbury. The ground was very greasy, light rain having fallen on a previously dry ground. . The home team scored 12 points (throe penalty goals by Cockroft and a try by Wilson), and Otago 6 (tries, by Duncan and Williams).