OTAGO HOLDS SHIELD

Southland Times, Issue 23000, 21 September 1936, Page 8

OTAGO HOLDS SHIELD

Wellington Rugby Team Defeated SIXTEEN POINTS TO THREE FINE FORWARD PLAY BY HOLDERS (United Press Association.) Dunedin, September 19. Playing on a dry ground, in the presence of 23,000 spectators, Otago resisted the challenge of Wellington in the seventh Ranfurly Shield match of the season, winning decisively by 16 points to 3. The first half early developed into a dour forward struggle between two evenly-matched packs, neither side letting the other get far. The only really bright sr .t was a magnificent try by Watt. After half-time the holders got the measure of their opponents, and kept them hemmed in near their own line for about 25 minutes, adding another 11 points to their total. When Griffiths was injured he went to full-back, Pollock going to second five-eighths, this alteration strengthening the visitors’ attack. But although they made strenuous efforts to reduce Otago’s lead, deadly tackling stopped the rushes when they looked dangerous. The holders’ forwards played a brilliant game, eventually running the opposing pack off its feet. Laney, Green, Niven and Hore were in the thick of the play throughout. Gillies was the outstanding back, being brilliant on attack and defence. He was ably supported by Fookes, playing his first representative game of the season. Simon played a beady game behind the scrum. Watt and Black ran strongly whenever they received the ball. Trevathan was as accurate as ever with his boot, scoring 10 points—a try, a penalty and two conversions. Taylor was wonderfully safe at fullback, and he quite outshone Pollock, who fumbled frequently. The Wellington forwards played soundly in the first half, getting the ball from the majority of the scrums and line-outs, but were later pushed off their feet. Devine. Wells, Fraser-Smith and Lambourne played solid football. The backs lacked cohesion and penetration, Edwards, on the wing, impressing most. The teams were:— WELLINGTON. Full-back.—H. R. Pollock. Three-quarters.—L. H. Edwards, J. W. Fleming, R. Nees. Five-eighths.—J. L. Griffiths, H. L. Baldwin. Half-back.—E. W. Tindill. Forwards.-—E. C. Leahy, A. Lambourne, R. R. Hull, H. W. Devine, F. H. Fraser-Smith, J. Wells, J. R. Lamason, A. H. Andrews. OTAGO. Full-back.—J. M. Taylor. Three-quarters.—J. M. Watt, H. F. Fookes, W. A. Black. Five-eighths.—C. C. Gillies, D. Trevathan. Half-back.—H. Simon. Forwards. —C. Quaid, W. Laney, J. Hore, W. Parkhill, F. Vorrath, F. Green, L. Niven W. Forman. The Play. Otago had slightly the better of the opening play, although the Wellington forwards were getting the ball from the scrums. Edwards and Lamason were prominent in two solo breakaways, but good tackling stopped the movements early. The Otago pack staged a great dribbling rush that took the ball half the length of the field. Then the backs swung into action, but Fookes dropped his pass. Lambourne broke away on his own, but Taylor saved well. Gillies started a pretty movement with a nice cut-in, Green carrying on, but Wellington smothered the attack. Trevathan tried to go through alone, the forwards supporting him, but a free kick to the visitors relieved a dangerous situation. Lamason transferred play quickly to the other end with a good rush, but Wellington was penalized. The Otago defence was holding when the visitors’ backs opened up play with a passing bout a minute later. Wellington looked dangerous for a spell, but the aspect of the game changed suddenly when Niven broke away and passed to Fookes. The centre three-quarter was away in a flash, and he made a beautiful opening for Watt, who dashed 30 yards to score at the corner. Trevathan kicked a magnificent goal. Otago 5. Wellington nil.

Wellington continued to get the ball from the majority of the scrums, but the Otago pack shone in the loose. Nees started a dangerous Wellington movement when he cross-kicked and caught Otago out of position, but Edwards missed the ball with practically a clear field in front of him. Tindill tried a pot from a sharp angle, but missed, Taylor forcing. Otago was soon on the attack again and Trevathan ran right through the Wellington defence, but was smothered just short of the line. Otago had a turn on defence a minute later, Taylor, Fookes and Trevathan all saving well in quick succession. The play was slightly in Otago’s territory when the spell ended. The Second Half. Play opened sensationally in the second half, Black breaking away and racing for the line, but he passed straight into an opponent’s hands. Wellington was penalized just inside its own territory, near the side-line, Trevathan kicking a magnificent goal. Otago 8, Wellington nil. The visitors retaliated strongly with a passing bout which went close to the line, willing play among the forwards resulting in the referee stopping play and cautioning both sides. Otago set up a hot attack on the Wellington line, several movements going dangerously close. Green fielded a long kick by Pollock, and the forwards rushed to the line again. From a scrum Simon passed to Trevathan,who ran round the blind side and dived over at the corner. He failed to convert his own try. Otago 11, Wellington nil. The Shield-holders were now playing brilliantly and kept the crowd on its feet with wonderful bursts. Griffiths hurt his leg and went to full-back. Pollock coming in to second five-eighth. From a scrum in the challengers’ twenty-five Simon sent smartly to Gillies, who cut through beautifully before handing on to FookesT the centre scoring in a handy position. Trevathan converted. Otago 16, Wellington nil. Devine and Edwards staged a dangerous passing rush, but Black went down to it when the first-named punted, Niven clearing. The challengers kept Otago busy for the next ten minutes, Pollock strengthening the attack of the backs. But Otago’s defence was deadly, and prevented several likely tries. Five minutes before time Wellington was awarded a free kick, but Lamason’s attempt went wide. A minute later its efforts were rewarded, Nees breaking through on his own to fall on the ball in a handy position. Lamason

failed to convert. Otago 16, Wellington 3. Otago threw the ball about freely in the closing stages of the game. There was no further score. The game ended with the scores:— Otago 16 Wellington 3