RANFURLY SHIELD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23592, 31 August 1938, Page 6

RANFURLY SHIELD

HAWKE'S BAY*S CHALLENGE OTAGO'S HARDEST TASK OF SEASON VISITORS' FORMIDABLE REPUTATION Ever since Otago won the Ranfurly Shield from Southland at Invercargill on July 30, the Otago football public has been awaiting with the keenest of interest Hawke's Bay's attempt to take the trophy back to the North Island The Bay team came south with a big reputation and has played right up to it on tour. Otago, on the other hand, has not shown impressive form in the last game or two, but the personnel of the side is such that those displays

cannot be accepted as true form. The two teams that will line up to-day both look formidable combinations on paper, and every indication is that their match will be in fact a struggle for the provincial supremacy of the Dominion. There is every indication, too, that conditions will be ideal for spectacular football. Carisbrook has been in exceDtionally fast condition for some weeks, and if the weather continues fair to-day it is likely that the attendance will set a record figure for a Wednesday match in Dunedin. No doubt there will be only skeleton staffs in many city offices and factories, and it is expected that there will be fairly heavy railway traffic. Although the bookings have been heavy, there are still a fairly large number of seats available in the grand stands. Twelve All Blacks There is much of interest in the two teams. There is the fact, for example, that eight of the Otago players have represented New Zealand and that there are four All Blacks in the Hawke's Bay scrum. It was expected that there would be five, but Ron Ward, formerly of Southland, who played for New Zealand in 1936 and

wing three-quarters, are not new to the position and are speedy and tricky runners. M. Dyer, the full-back, has a reputation for " toughness." It is not his habit to make mistakes. Nothing has been spared to make Hawke's Bay's challenge as serious an onslaught as possible. The players arrived in Dunedin very fit, and their practice runs at Cansbrook showed that they have not won their reputation as a team easily. The record on tour is one of wins—Wellington by 13 points to 12, Canterbury by 15 points to six, and Southland by 21 points to 15. Before that, Wairarapa was beaten twice. It is significant that northern and southern critics have been impressed by the fact that it is a team that makes the fullest use of all opportunities that come its way. That has been a feature of Otago's displays, too. The most that can be said of to-day's game is that it will be a hard match between two teams that, on paper, are outstanding. This is the eighth tour to the South Island made by Hawke's Bay teams in 49 years. Sixteen matches have been played between Hawke's Bay and Otago, of which Otago has won 11, tost four, while one has been drawn The only Ranfurly Shield challenge until to-day was played at Hastings in 1925, when Hawke's Bay won by 34 points to 14. The referee to-day will be Mr E. A. Empson, of Christchurch. and the teams will be as follows: — HAWKE'S BAY Full-back, M. Dyer (11.10). Three-quarters—R. Fox (12.5), C. Le Quesne (12.3), E. Apsey (11.10). Five-eighths, P. Reid (11.0). L. Bradley (first, 10.10). Half-back, L. Clothier (captain; 12.3) Front row—E. Jackson (14.2), D.Dalton (13.10), L. Hannigan (13.7). Locks—A. Bowman (14.10), T. Reid (14.10). Side supports, C. Wilson (13.8), J. O'Brien (13.12). Back row, J. Dallimore (13.6). Reserves: Forwards—R. Ward (14.4). S. McKenzie (14.4), R. Keeble (14.6): backs—S. Moss (10.1), E. Palmer (10.12) R. Devine (11.10). OTAGO Full-back, J. M. Taylor (12.2). Three-quarters—W. J. A. Black (13.9;, C. C. Gillies (12.8), S. McCartney (13.0). Five-eighths, T. Berghan (12.3), D. Trevathan (first, 12.5). Half-back, H. Simon (11.2). Front row—J. Mahoney (14.0), C. Quaid (13.12), G. McDonald (14.2). Locks—F. H. Vorrath (captain, 14.11), A. A. Parkhill (14.8). Side supports—W. McLelland (13.0). R. Neiper (11.7). Back row, L. Niven (13.10). Reserves: Backs—L. Simpson (10.5», W. Perriam (10.5), G. Murray (13.0); forwards—L. Hill (14.2), B. Barnes (14.4). T. Graham (11.9). J. Morrison (14.0). A DISAPPOINTING GAME WAIKATO BEATS UNIVERSITY NUMEROUS INJURIES MAR PLAY (Per Unijeu Press Association i HAMILTON. Aug. 30. In a disappointing game the Waikato Rugby representatives defeated the New Zealand University representatives in Hamilton this afternoon by 13 points to 6. The game was played in fine weather but on the slippery ground the players were unable to keep their feet and numerous injuries marred the play. Altogether there were five replacements. Egan kicked two penalty goals for the University. Heeps kicked a penalty, Wynyard and Hawke scored tries and Conder kicked a field goal for Waikato.