RANFURLY SHIELD HELD

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1930, Page 13

RANFURLY SHIELD HELD

SOUTHLAND BEATS OTAGO THIRTY-SEVEN POINTS TO FIVE. EXCELLENT RUGBY WITNESSED. By Telegraph.--Press Association. Invercargill, Last Night. Southland’s hold on tho Ranfurly Shield was strengthened to-day when the team decisively defeated Otago by 37 points to live. This is Southlands most convincing victory over the sister province, whose team, however, was not at full strength. The game was played in fine weather, though rain, during the night had made the ground somewhat heavy, and it became a trifle greasy as play proceeded. The Southland forwards played magnificently and were well supported by the backs, by whom most of the tries were scored. 'Southland dominated the first spell, when Otago seemed unable to hold the vigorous pack, whose vim and dash had diminished but little in the closing stages. After the interval Southland early asserted its superiority, and with the exception of rare occasions were hammering away at the Otago line. The backs also showed to advantage and delighted the crowd with some spectacular bouts of passing. Otago was seldom seen on attack, but the team went down gamely to a vastly superior team. On to-day’s showing the Southland pack will present formidable opposition to challengers for the shield. Otago kicked off and immediately gained an advantage which was quickly turned into a position of defence when Southland heeled from tlie ruck and the ball was shot out to Geddes on the wing. He put in a fast run before passing in-field. The movement was carried on to the Otago twenty-five, where Southland was pulled up for an infringement. Play swung back to the other side of half-way, from where the first thrill came. Passing between the Otago backs was intercepted, and the ball went to Porter, Southland centre, who cut clean through before passing to Diack. The latter made a great run for 40 yards to score behind the posts. Player converted. SOUTHLAND MAN INJURED. The shield holders continued to press, and from right in froqt of the goal Sharpe narrowly missed with a pot. Sharpe (Southland) was injured and had to leave the field, being replaced by Webb. Otago set up an attack and Lindsay punted to a gap, but Norris was there first, and, with a speculator removed play to the Otago side of half-way. Otago was soon back on the offensive, and was awarded a free kick some distance out in front of the posts, but Lindsay just failed to goal. Southland held the upper' hand in succeeding play and the forwards carried the ball over the line but were beaten by an Otago player in the touch-down. The challengers were allowed little respite, for the home forwards launched a hot assault, and after Galt, C. George and McKenzie had handled the ball the last-named scored. Diack kicked a fine goal. Almost immediately afterwards Otago was compelled to force. Southland at this stage was having much the better of the game. A serum was ordered almost beneath the posts, and the home forwards pushed the defenders across the line and were awarded a try. Diack failed to goal from an easy position. Half-time then sounded. After resuming the Otago backs opened out in a bout of passing which took them to Southland’s side of half-way, but they were soon back defending. Porter shot the ball out to Diack, who beat his man before passing to Geddes, who raced across to score a fine try. Diack converted, the scores then being Southland 18, Otago nil. The home backs swung into action from a lineout, and the crowd was on its toes. Diack again cut in cleverly, paving the way for a try by Webb. Diack made no mistake with the kick. “ALL OVER OTAGO.” Southland was getting all over the Otago forwards, playing with great vim. Two of their offensives were pulled up by Faulks marking in the face of the oncoming pack. From half-way Niven showed out in a splendid dribbling movement. He beat the defence but was unable-to touch down. Otago then launched an attack, and when a high kick was missed Lindsay secured and scored in a handy position. The same player converted. The Southland backs opened out in the Otago twentyfive, and Diack threw a long pass to Geddes. The winger failed to field, it cleanly, but had time to recover and dash across for a try. Diack’s kick hit the post. Holden was fedding his backs well, and they were seen in several promising actions, from one of which another try was scored, Geddes outpacing the opposition and crossing at the corner. Diack’s kick went outside the post. Southland did not let up, and within a few minutes Otago had to force. Passing among the Otago backs shifted operations to midfield. Within 15 minutes of time Southland scored another try, C. George going over for Diack to goal. Otago launched an attack, and reached the Southland twentyfive as a result of a bout of passing. The final try was spectacular. Norris fielded an Otago kick, and ran past several opponents before passing to Diack, who transferred to Webb. The winger proved too speedy and touched down at the corner. Diack failed to goal, and the game ended with the scores: — Southland 37 •Otago 5