RANFURLY SHIELD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17527, 23 July 1931, Page 3

RANFURLY SHIELD

WELLINGTON’S EASY WIN

SOUTHLAND OUTCLASSED

MARGIN OR 36 POINTS TO 13

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Inst night.

Mainly through the efforts' of its swiftback division, displaying great- combination, Wellington’s Rugby representatives defeated Southland to-day by 36 points to 13, successfully staving off the first challenge for the E-anfurly Shield,

Ju the first- naif, the match was rather a ragged one but, after the spell, Wellington got- going quickly and rattled on 28 points to their opponents’ 13 after having had 8 points’ advantage at halftime.

Southland's main strength lay in the 1 forward division, hut. throughout- the game, the Wellington pack more than held its own. Had the Southland backs been able to handle the ball accurately 1 and had the inside men displayed a little ■ more penetration ability, probably Wei--1 iington would not have bad such an easy * victory. Not a. little of Wellington's success ’ was due to Lilburno, playing at first ‘ live-eighths. Often, lie was the originator of his,side’s attacking movements and his tactics enabled the speed of the Welling- , toil three-quarter line to operate with telli nig effect-. Kilby played a splendid 1 game behind the Wellington scrum. The - fullback, Pollock, was cool and resouvee- , fill. ■Southland won the toss and Lilburno kicked off. Then followed a finished smart forward move tine! Wellington’s i first try was scored. The kick failed. After further forward play, there came a flash of flic Wellington hacks’ form. Kilby secured from a scrum and passed to Lilburne and the latte/* marie a, wonderful opening to pass to Page and on to McDonald, both of whom received their passes travelling at top and the latter outdistanced the opposition and | scored under the posts. Pollock con- | verted. , EVENTS MOVE QUICKLY * (Grant started a- Southland attack from the kick-off, running through a group of Wellington forwards and handing on to Southern and Johnson. The latter carried play close to the Wellington linehut the Wellington hookers secured from j the scrum there and Kilby forced. Again ) Southland came- down to the line and ! wore within the dangerous territory for Wellington for some time. Eventually, Wellington cleared and half-time came with play again at half-way. Events moved quickly in the second spell. The Southland fullback fumbled and Jcssep was on him. A bout of passing between tbe Wellington,towards ensued and McLean got over. Pollock missed with the kick. Front the kickoff. came tbe first of two splendid movements among the Wellington backs, both started, by" Lilburno, hut, in Hie Southland 25, McDonald passed forward. From a scrum, the Wellington forwards broke away and Barry scored. Kilby converted. Wellington were now 16, and Southj land 0. Tho Wellington attack was continued, > Lilburne starting movements that only just, failed, and Southland were compelled to force. Southland’s first score came, after its forwards lpul gained ground up -to Wellington’s 25. Wellington secured from a scrum but Lilburne, attempting a,short kick, put tho ball into Grant’s arms. The, Southland five-eighth put in a good sprint and handed on to Crosbie, who scored. Porter converted. Page cut through, making an opening for Lilburnc.who dived over. Next, Ball worked his wav over and Kilby converted. Then the Wellington forwards hustled the visitors’ defence and McLean touched down. Wellington again pressed and Ball, when tackled, in-passed beautifully, Lillmrno received and flashed overKilby converted. Just on time, Southland dribbled to tho Wellington 25 and Grant secured, from a. pass and scored. Porter converted. The game ended: Wellington 36, Southland 13.

WAIRARAPA BEAT BUSH

A FAST, EVEN CONTEST

(Per Press Association,)

CARTERTON, last night

The Wairarapa. and Bush Rugby representatives met at Grcytowu today iu ideal weather.

Winning tho toss, Bush elected to play with the sun and ground advantage, and made the pace willing from the 1 start. Chivvying Wairarapa into tho 2-"> and pushing homo a forward attack, a score under the posts resulted from Aitchisou’s going across. B. ITdv missed an easy kick.

Wairarapa retaliated with a combined forward and back rush, which placed Rush in a very difficult situation, Fitzgerald finally going over a few yards from the corner. Stringfellow missed the goal. The gailio developed into a series of scrums, ndithei* side gaining much advantage. The speed of the Bush forwards nullified the advantage of tho Wairarapa backs, who were bustled almost; continuously with the determined forward play. Bush carried the ball to the Wairarapa line, whore • Goodenotigh scooped up from a melee and fell across to score near the corner. Udy failed with the goal.—Bush (5, Wairarapa fi. There was no further score at half-time.

The second spoil opened with Bush forwards still attacking,but finally Wairarapa began to penetrate and several pretty back movements eventuated. From one, Oliver received and wont over at the corner. He missed with the goal.

Trap]* next brilliantly cut in, swerved, and touched down under the posts. Fitzgcrald goaled,—Wairarapa IT. Bush (5. Bush retaliated with a very fine forward rush, backed up by Udy, Aitchison and McCarthy. .After a tussle near the line, Wairarapa were penalised 'for off-side and Udy goaled wilh a good kick. The filial, score came from a back movement by Wairarapa, which carried play well uphold, The forwards carried on exceedingly fast and Best kicked t(trough and fell on the ball. No goal 'resulted. The game ended: Wairarapa. 14 points, Bush ff. Air. J. Black was referee.

The team fielded by Bush was the best seen! 1 in tho Wairarapa 1 for many years, (lie forwards being big and. hefty with a nice turn of speed, and file backs simii(i jn defence and quick !o take advantage of openings.