Manawatu Is Next On List Of Challenges For Shield

Southland Times, Issue 23888, 5 August 1939, Page 15

Manawatu Is Next On List Of Challenges For Shield

By

ONLOOKER

If Southland succeeds in withstanding Otago’s challenge for the Ranfurly Shield today it will be called upon to play Manawatu in a shield match at Invercargill next Saturday. Manawatu and Southland have never met in a Ranfurly Shield match. Manawatu had the honour of beating Southland when it held the shield, however. That was in 1929, in the match after Southland won the shield from Wairarapa at Carterton. Manawatu won by 27 points to 17. Eight matches have been played between the two unions. The first two were drawn. Southland has won four games and Manawatu tWo. The following results show how the Southland teams fared:— 1905—At Invercargill, drawn 6-6. 1905— At Palmerston North, drawn 11-11. 1923—At Invercargill, won 16-11. 1925—At Palmerston North, won 28-12. 1928— At Invercargill, won 12-4. 1929— At Palmerston North, lost 17-27. 1936— At Invercargill, won 13-12. 1937— At Palmerston North, lost 20-22. The results include the games played when Manawatu and Jforowhenua were amalgamated and played as the Manawhenua team. Soulitland’s Ten Wins In Shield Games Southland has played 20 games for and in defence of the Ranfurly Shield, and has won 10 and lost 10. As challenger it has won four games and lost seven, and as defender it has won six and lost three. j Following are the results of the i games played by Southland: — | 1906— v. Auckland; lost 12-48. 1914—v. Taranaki; lost nil-6. 1920— v. Wellington; won 17-6. 1921— v; Otago; won 10-8. 1921—v. Wellington; lost 13-28. 1925—v. Hawke’s Bay; lost 12-31. 1929— y. Wairarapa; won 19-16. 1930— v. Wanganui; won 19-nil. 1930—v. Otago; won 37-5. 1930—v. Hawke’s Bay; won 9-6. 1930- Wellington; lost 3-12. 1931— v. Wellington; lost 13-36. 1933—v. Canterbury; lost 3-21. 1935— v. Canterbury; lost 3-8. 1936— v. Otago; lost 3-16. 1937— v. Otago; won 12-7. 1938— v. Otago; lost 6-7. 1938—v. Otago; won 10-5. 1938—v. Wellington; won 10-3. 1938—v. Ashburton; won 20-16. SUMMARY.—PIayed 20, won 10 lost

10; points for 231, against 285. Canterbury May Make Special Challenge For Ranfurly Shield The prospect of Canterbury making a special challenge for the Ranfurly Shield this season has been canvassed in Christchurch. The Canterbury Rugby Union has practically decided to make a challenge but it is deferring more consideration until after today’s game between Otago and Southland. “If we have a good team, I think it is up to us to challenge,” said the president (Mr J. K. Moloney), at a meeting of the Canterbury Union. “We do not want to cry our wares too loud, but we are hopeful that it will be a good team. We shall know more about it after the representative team returns | from its North Island tour. If it appears 1 to be justified, we could put in a special challenge then.”

Mr E. V. Phillips said that the Southland Union appeared to have a fairly full list of fixtures right up to September 16. If a special challenge match was played it would have to be a Wednesday game. Mr A. E. McPhail thought that, as Canterbury seemed likely to have a better team than usual, the union should put in a special challenge. It was decided to challenge for the shield, but to defer until the next meeting of the committee the matter of negotiating for a date with the successful union. Southland’s Record In Shield Games On Rugby Park Southland’s record of successes in Ranfurly Shield matches on Rugby Park is a good one. Nine games have been played; Southland teams have won seven and have lost two games. The first five shield matches played at Invercargill were won by Southland. Following are the shield games played on Rugby Park:— v. Wellington, won. v. Otago, won. v. Wanganui, won. v. Otago, won. v. Hawke’s Bay, won. v. Wellington, lost. v. Otago, lost. v. Wellington, won. v. Ashburton, won. C. George Unlucky C. George, the Invercargill Club forward, who was admitted to the Southland Hospital two weeks ago suffering from a poisoned arm, is now convalescing at his home at Tussock Creek.

BillißiaißaßlillßllllßHlßllllßHllßilllßlUlßllllßimßllll George is unlucky in not being able to take his place in the Southland team today. He has been playing so well in club games this season that his chances of being considered in the All Black trial games later in the year were freely discussed. Although ond of the veterans of Southland Rugby he showed more dash and resource in his last few games than he has for the last season or two.