AUCKLAND WINS THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 57

AUCKLAND WINS THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

! WELLINGTON, August 26. i The Ranfurly Shield went back to-day to its original holders. Auckland, who boat Wellington by 10 points to 6. There was a more decided margin than it looks on paper, inasmuch as Auckland secured two tries, while (heir own line was not crossed. Wellington had nearly the same forwards as have so distinguished themselves lately, but thay met men as good, or better, in their opponents, while the backs were the weakest combination that has represented the city for years. Their play was quite pitiful at times, and would have disgraced an ordinary club fifteen. They fumbled and mulled right and left, and when an opening- cecura'ed mostly spoiled it by hesitation and indecision. On the other hand. the Auckland rearguard offered a bright contrast by their crisp marking' and the certainty with which they secured the ball. In the first spell play for the most part of the time was open and attractive, and, though Auckland pcored 7 points, there wa? 1 not, a groat deal between the two. In the j latter Irnlf. when, favoured by the wind. , they should have improved and more than ' held their own. the local men fell off most j unaccountably, and what they did score was owing to penalty kicks, whereas Auckland pat up another try, and altogether I played a superior game." When the Wellington forwards secured an advantage their backs could not hold it, and at the end the visitors were playing up as strongly as over, and the longer the game had gone on the more they would have scored. Rain fell during 1 the night, and there were some showers in the morning, but the ground was not affected so much a 9 was feared, and was nearly dry. In the afternoon the sun came out, and ' there was an attendance of nearby 6000. j There was a "medium southerly breeze blow- ; ing, and Auckland (Blue-and-white). winning the toss, played with it behind them during the first spell i Wellington (Black) kicked off, and at the outset the local men played up strongly till a loose rush took the game up the > ground Kiernau marked for an attempt at goal, whioh failed, and Magee stopped a powerful charge with another well-judged catch. The ball bounded back high and , out of the full baok's reach. In attempt. ' ing to drive it to the touchline it went into Tyler's hands, and he bounded down the side, where ho was pushed out at the earner flag-. The game became very lively, the ball scurrying all over the field. The isitors, intent on making most of the advantage the wind gav-a them, attacked strongly, and thi local backs were kept flying about to save themselves. A bunch

'of three or four Ai'jklanders. with Tood and Magee at the 'icaJ, dashed for tha line, and had trickled over, but one of the local men sprin^d on all fours and secured tho- ball. Another penalty kick failed, but presently Tockl got tho ball from a scrum, feinted nicely, boal his man badly, and passing to Wynyard the latter I romped in. No goal resuked. Auckland, 3 'to nil. Un the resumption of play there I was some smart work by both sides that earned loud applause, the kicking and passing both being bri?k, though most of tha lattor was .-mothered. For a while Wellington i had tho bettor of the game and ranged about their opponents' t«enty-five. and for a few minutes jammed them on their line, but the next moment, through some miserable fumbling, it was in a .similar place an the other end. For once tho visitors were smitten with some disease, and let it back by failing to stop the ball, but this wa? about the only time they woi-o guilty o£ it. Ryan put an end to a threatening ru?h by marking coolly, and for a vvhilo even play occurred in the centre of the field. The Wellington forwards mado stiong efforts to master their antagonists, but the defence was sturdy, and, the effon having- \voi\i itself out. the BHves burst through, helped by a palpable throw-on which the referee missed. A \igorou? attack followed, €iid, Mackenzie getting amark. Francis landed an excellent goal. Auckland, 7to nil. The spell ended shortly, after, leaving Wellington in a deficit that, even with v, strong- team, would require some wiping off. Local parchans still penned their faith upon the ability of tho forwards to win now thoy had the wind in their favour ; but they became ragged and patch}-, and did not; play wirh the- overpowering dash iliac commended them po much in recent gaitvcs. Tho fir«t th-ing Ihat happened- was ihat the Wellington full back got too close up, and the ball was kicked pa&t him. The Blue backs resorted to passing, and Mackenzie nearly scored. Scrums followed on the Wellington line, from one of which Trc- ■\ arthen appeared to get over and be thrown! back. Fiee kicks relieved tho pressure 1 momentarily. ai?d then the ball landed from! I a long kick into touch-m-goal. Handling it! j freely and safely, the Auckland backs kepti ' matters going. The forwards got on a bustle, and, completely overpowering- opposition, fan over in a mass, and Tyler scored.,' The attempt to jrnprovo {ho points failed. Auckland 10 points to nil. Wellington were , now beaten. If one of their backs had/ ! the capacity of a Wrigley or a M'Gregor there was was still a faint chance. Georges' Smith once won a match for Auckland on. the same ground by scoring two- tries after his side was to all appearances hopelessly beaten. But to-day the" man vs as not to bo found for Wellington's hour of need. Auckland, making light of the- wind against 1 them, still attacked, and Blackioek~ only [ just pulled Mackenzie down, as " Scobic '' was putting on pace to run round, tho edge at tho <-nd of a succession of pisses. For a quarter of an hour the defenders of the shield had an uncommonly bad? time, but at lasi they got away", and/ Spencer took a phot at goal froiii a penalty without success. The forward workers were foiled by cool marking and stopping, but they got near enough toorive Spencer another shot, from which he Ifinded a penalty goal. Auckland 10 points, Wellington 3.- ,- The visitors did not hurry themselves, the delas-3 being rather palpable at times,', though strictly within the ' rulei ; but the" ■ spectators, disappointed at the failure, oi' their representatives, consoled themselves by jeering and administering remonstrances. Ryan executed a sharp mark, but Auckland came on full of running, and Kiernan, hustling and struggling masterfully. , nearly pushed through at the goal pc-fs. Further' c'elay was caused by Todd getting hurt and retiring for a while, though ho caino on aarain. The "Wellington backs then distinguished themselves liy ?oin£> mo-re awful fumbling, and later, getting ;in opening," each man managed ro stumble or mifs.lh.eball in turn. Five minutes before time Spencer brought the score to AueklaiTd 10. Wellington 6. by kicking a very gooil from a penalty; but this v.is t!'o lasfr effort before the end. Auckland went up and threatened a further "scoro. and then the bell rang-, leaving iliom the victory they had thoroughly earned.