CANTERBURY WIN SHIELD

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 7

CANTERBURY WIN SHIELD

WELLDGTON 2 POINTS DOWN

THE EXHIBITION NOT INSPIRING.

NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES LOST, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Aug. 22. Canterbury (challengers) won the Ranfurly Shield match against Wellington by 8 points to 6 at Athletic Park this afternoon. At half-time Canterbury led by- 3 points to nil, but in the second spell Wellington put on two tries, neither converted, and until eighteen minutes from the end were leading 6to 3. Then Day scored a fine try for Canterbury at the goal and Roberts converted it. Wellington were unable to score again. The match was not an inspiring exhibition of football and both sides lost numerous opportunities through mishandling, and tactical blunders. On the day Canterbury fully deserved to win. In the first? spell Canterbury usually held • the advantage although -Wellington in the latter stages of the spell frequently attacked and in the second spell came to light with a great spurt. The challengers’ winning try was preceded by a persistent attack which finished right on the Welling to— line, where the ball eventually was sent to the backs and Day fended off Nicholls to score. The game was remarkable for the number of injuries. In both spells play was frequently held up so that ambulance men

could give attention to players who had been hurt. Two Canterbury men, Andrews and Kearney, had to retire and Fuller (Wellington) had to come off at half-time. Another feature was the comparatively few penalties awarded. Canterbury received more than did Wellington but on only one occasion -was a penalty kick at goal taken. Canterbury kicked off and gained ground with a forward rush but was left in an awkward position when Roberts at fullback fumbled a high kick and had three men on him before he could clear. The ball went into touch in goal. Soon afterwards Canterbury had to force down but from the drop off went away in a good rush that penetrated to the Wellington twenty-five. There Coulston was penalised for off-side play but Roberts missed the kick at goal. CANTERBURY BACKS BETTER For a time the game was dull. The backs on each side handled on occasions, with the Canterbury men by far the more successful. Twice they were held up -at the last moment by Lilburne. The first score came after half an hour’s play. Day, Canterbury five-eighth, ran round the blind side of the scrum and cross-kicked just before being tackled by Page. MacDonald and Lilburne fumbled the ball between them and were caught in possession. A scrum was formed near the Wellington line and Canterbury hooked the ball, allowing Mullan to set Oliver and Innes going. Innes crossed the line well out from the goal to score. Roberts missed the goal -with the kick. Canterbury three, Wellington nil was the score at half-time.

In the second spell Wellington attacked persistently and about ten minutes from the start Lilburne, now playing at five-eighth, picked up from a Canterbury forward rush and ran through the opposing vanguard. He was tackled but in the ruck the ball was kicked over the line and Huxtable won the race for it. Nicholls failed to convert the try. Innes had a pot at goal for Canterbury from near half-way but the ball fell a few yards short. Soon afterwards the Wellington forwards were away in a great loose rush starting from the Canterbury twenty-five and Price finished the attack by scoring well out from the posts. Niclioils again missed. Canterbury replied' with a series of movements that gradually gained ground and after a long attack in the Wellington twenty-five the ball was secured by the Canterbury forwards. Mullan sent out a great pass to Day and Day fended off a weak tackle by Nicholls to score a try at the goal. Roberts had no difficulty in converting. In the closing stages of the game Wellington took great risks in efforts to open up the game and the Canterbury defence had a lot to do. It was equal to the task, however, and its sure tackling prevented Wellington from penetrating far. There was no further score. The referee was Mr. J. King, .Taranaki.