RANFURLY SHIELD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16510, 22 August 1921, Page 7

RANFURLY SHIELD.

SOUTHLAND V. OTAGO, HOLDERS PROVE BETTER TEAM. (Special to the “ Star.”) INVERCARGILL, "August 20. Southland won the Ranfurly Shield match to-day by better organisation fore and aft, possessing more weight and pace, combined with strenuous hard tackling and following up. Otago were nonplussed at the exceptional dashing attacks of Southland throughout the first spell, and tlieir attacking operations were entirely upset by the dash of the Southland forwards. Otago rallied later and began a series of open paging rushes. Southland’s defence throughout was their most distinguishing feature. The game was mostly confined to the forwards, Southland showing most prominence on the line-out, whilst Otago were usually successful in scrummaging. ’bowards the close the game became sensational, Southland making a wonderful attack. Undoubtedly. the better team won. Southland exhibiting general excellence and confidence. Diach, for Southland, made a great showing. The game was exceptionally clean, not a single instance of unnecessary roughness being recorded. The play was not particularly fast, the ground being soft and heavy. The public were most enthusiastic, the winners being carried off shoulder high. Both teams adopted solid stereotyped methods, showing exceptional tackling, splendid footwork and dash in the open. On a harder ground the game would have been of a higher standard.