WELLINGTON WIN EASILY

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1931, Page 9

WELLINGTON WIN EASILY

RANFURLY SHIELD (RETAINED ’DEFEAT OF SOUTHLAND’S TEAM. THIRTY-SIX POINTS TO THIRTEEN By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. Mainly through the efforts of a swift back division displaying great combination, the Wellington Rugby representatives defeated Southland to-day by 36 points to 13, successfully staving, off the first challenge for the Ranffirly Shield. In the first half the match was a rather 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 half-time. Southland’s main strength lay in the forward division, blit throughout the ' game the Wellington pack more than held its own. Had the Southland backs been able to handle the ball accurately, and had the inside men displayed a little more penetrative ability, probably Wellington would not have had such an easy victory. Not a little of Wellington’s success was due to Lilburne, playing at first five-eighth. Often he was the origin-; ator of his side’s attacking movements, ■, and his tactics enabled the speed of the Wellington three-quarter line to operate with telling effect. Kilby played a splendid game behind the Wellington scrum. The full-back, Pollock, was cool and resourceful. Southland won the toss and .Lilburne kicked off. Ball finished a smart forward move, scoring Wellington’s first try. The kick failed. After further forward play there came a flash of the Wellington, backs’ form. Kilby sej cured from a scrum and passed to Lilburne and the latter made a wonderful opening to pass to Page and McDonald, both of whom received their passes travelling at top, and the latter outdistanced the opposition and scored between the posts. Pollock converted. Grant started a Southland attack from the kick off, running through a group of Wellington forwards and handinn- on to Southern and Johnson. The latter carried play close to Wellington’s line; but the Wellington hookers secured from a scrum there and Kilby forced. Again Southland came down to the line . and were within dangerous territory'for Wellington for some time. Eventually Wellington cleared and halftime came with. play again at halfway.' \ Events moved quickly in the second spell. *The Southland -full-back fumbled and Jessep .was on him. A bout of passing betWeeh • the Wellington forwards ensued arid McLean scored. Pollock failed ’to goal. From the kick off came the first of two splendid movements among the Wellington backs, both started by Lilburne, but in the Southland twenty-five McDonald passed forward. From a scrum the Wellington forwards broke away and Barry scored. Kilby converted and the scores were: Wellington 16, Southland 0. The Wellington attack continued, Lil-, burne starting movements that only just failed. Southland was compelled 'to force. Southland's first score came after the forwards had gained ground up" to Wellington’s twenty-five. Wellington secured from a scrum but Lilburne in attempting a short kick put the ball into Grant’s arms. The Southland five-eighth put in a good sprint and handed on tp Crosbie, who scored. Porter converted. . Fage cut through,'making-an opening for. Lilburne, who dived over and scored. Ball worked, his way over to score and Kilby converted; The Wellington forwards bustled the visitors’ defence and McLean scored. Wellington again pressed and Ball, when tackled', in-passed beautifully. Lilburne received the ball and flashed over to score, Kilby converting. Just on time Southland dribbled to the Wellington twenty-five and Grant secured from a pass and scored. Porter converted. Wellington 36 Southland 13 , :