RANFURLY SHIELD HELD

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 14

RANFURLY SHIELD HELD

HAWKE’S BAY SIDE DEFEATED MARGIN OF FOUR POINTS. STANDARD OF GAME MAINTAINED By .Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton, Last Night. The Wairarapa Rugby representativa fifteen successfully defended the coveted Ranfurly Shield in the first challjng® of the .season by Hawke’s Bay in a "ood, fast, clean and keenly contested game played at Masterton on Saturday under ideal conditions. The standard of Rugby pioved well up to shield requirements, the Wairarapa backs being superior. lhe Hawke’s Bay forwards were prominent in the first spell and had Wairarapa hard pressed for the latter part, but the Waiiaiapa pack gave a much improved display in the second spell, even with the sun in their eyes for the greater part of the time. The first half ended in favour of Hawks’s Bay by 6 to 5, but the visitors were unable to increase their total in tne second half, whereas Wairarapa added a converted try.

Cooke, as- second live-eighth, proved a tower of strength to Wairarapa, h. : s kicking being magnificent, and his uncanny anticipation gaining much territory when most needed. Roach, as fullback, gave a finished display, rising to every occasion with distinction. °The Wairarapa three-quarter line, Booth, Fuller and Jury, combined well, Fuller being bright throughout. Mill was oafo but not outstanding, and Hart, behind the scrum, sent the ball but cleanly and was exceptionally sound in defence. Most prominent of the forwards were Harvey, Irvine and M. Willoughby. For Hawke’s Bay, Ruru gave a. brilliant display on ■ the wing, time and again nearly crossing the line. • South and Setford were prominent throughout among the backs on attack and Beeketb and. Botherway proved sound on defence. Yates, as full-back, was overshadowed by Roach. The Gemmell brothers, Campbell and Wilson «vere the best* of' -he visitors’forwards, S. Gemmell in particular being in the picture. McKay, th® wing-forward, was-well held by the mor® experienced J. Donald.

At the commencement Wairarapa were surging near the visitors’ line, but Setford relieved with a good kick. Cooke cut short a Hawke’s Bay offensive and play worked up the field, J. Donald breaking away, backed lip by Randal Booth, who secured and scored a try within ten minutes of the commencement.' Fuller converted with a good kick.

Ruru was prominent in several Hawke’s Bay offensive movements, but Roach was handy and Wairarapa returned to the attack. From a free kick to Hawke’s Bay Ruru flashed out' to the side and the visitors’ backs looked very dangerous, but Roach saved. Not to be denied, however, the visiting backs' again pressed and South opened their account with a good try. Yates missed with the kick. For the remainder of tlie spell Hawke’s Bay had Wairarapa on the defensive and several hot attacks were stopped only just in time. The Wairarapa backs were not handling too well and the forwards also lacked sting. The visitors repeatedly pressed hard. J. Donald, being off-side in a handy position, gave Hawke’s Bay an opportunity to gain the lead, Ruru sending the ball between the posts, making the scores: Hawke’s Bay 6, Wairarapa 5. Hawke’s Bay returned to the attack, confining play to AVairarapa territory, but without' further score.

The opening plav in the second half was very fast. Walker replaced Oliver in this spell as hooker. Hawke’s Bay attacked, but The shield holders defence was too sound, Roach and Cooke being most prominent. Eventually the W a i* rarapa backs secured, the ball being handled by each one in turn. Hart secured fr ,n a scrum and sent the ball to Mill, Cooke and Fuller to Jury, who scored in the most sensational movement of the day. Fuller converted amid scenes of much enthusia- -’, placing the holders in the lead.

AVairarapa then assumed the upper hand, both backs and forwards being superior to Hawke’s Bay, who battled hard to reach their opponents’ line, but found the defence impenetrable. The closing stages resolved into a gruelling forwards struggle, the game ending with the scores:—■

AVairarapa ...... I®. Hawke’s Bay , 6Alr. J. Aloffat, Wellington, refereed.