THE RANFURLY SHIELD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22022, 3 August 1933, Page 9

THE RANFURLY SHIELD

FIRST GAME OF SEASON ASHBURTON OUTCLASSED BIG SCORE BY CANTERBURY fPer United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. August 2. Defending the Ranfurly Shield for the first time this season Canterbury had a runaway victory over Ashburton this afternoon, winning by 31 points to 7. Canterbury’s line was not crossed, Ashburton’s score coming from a field goal and a penalty goal. Ashburton kicked a field goal within six minutes of the kick-off and contrived to keep the score within reasonable limits until half time, but only by keeping piny as tight as possible, and this kept the ball from the Canterbury backs, who early showed a marked superiority over Ashburton. At half time the score was 13 points to 7 in favour of Canterbury. In the second half, Ashburton did not or could not continue its early policy, and the Canterbury backs and forwards struck better form. The Ashburton defence crumbled up and Canterbury ran up a big score. The home forwards played a very impressive game up to best Ranfurly Shield standard. The backs were good in attack and defence, with one weakness—the passes were often slowly and uncertainly given by Stevens at the back of the scrum.

The Ashburton forwards played a sturdy, determined game, especially in the first half, but never looked like scoring. The backs showed some ability in defence, but never developed an attacking movement which looked really dangerous.