SHIELD LOST TO BETTER TEAM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 23 July 1934, Page 11

SHIELD LOST TO BETTER TEAM.

Canterbury Play Creditably Against Strong All-round Combination. VISITORS’ TACTICS TEACH A LESSON. BEATEN, on Lancaster Park for the first time since 1931* the Canterbury Rugby representative fifteen left the Oval on Saturday afternoon minus the Ranfurlv Shield, after going down to Hawke’s Bay by 9 points to nil. But there was not one in the 16,000 spectators who had anything but admiration for the local team, which had put up one of the pluckiest and most determined games against odds that anyone could wish io see. Bather was the feeling one of whole-hearted congratulation to the Hawke’s Bay side, who played magnificent football They won by greatly superior forward work, backed by well-nigh perfect tactics on a siusliy ground. Had the ground been fast, they would probably have won just the same. The Bay have a magnificent side. Only one of the players is in this year’s All Black side, and oil that reckoning one is inclined to think that the national fifteen must be one of the greatest ever.

Mr Norman M'Kenzie, the Hawke’s Bay selector, has been building up a team ever since the Shield was taken from Hawke’s Bay after their wonderful six-year run as holders. Not only has he found the material, but he has polished it into something which, on Saturday afternoon at least, approached perfection. In that, he as well as the players themselves deserve the most sincere congratulation. Not only did the visitors beat Canterbury, but they taught the local men quite a lot about the-game. The Bay had the great advantage of an additional 101 b per man in the scrum, the visitors averaging list 31b

per man. and Canterbury 13st 71b. That difference, though big, did not seem insuperable. Canterbury have been up against heavy forwards before, and have beaten them by speed and tenacity. On Saturday, before the interval, it looked for fifteen minutes as though Canterbury were going to repeat the process; but after the spell it soon became apparent that the visitors had done no more than husband their resources. The big men. with speed as well, simply played Canterbury to a standstill. Easily Dealt With. Canterbury have a lesson to learn in the back play, and that is that the orthodox attack, unless so varied that the opposition is kept on the qui * vive and never knows exactly what is going to happen, is very easily dealt with by fast forwards and sure-tackling backs, especially on a heavy ground. Hawke’s Bay, who at the start of the game hooked the ball at will, soon found that, when Canterbury secured, the attack was easily dealt with. The home side, with back play in mind, stood with the line deep, ready to swing into the attack The Bay forwards let Canterbury have the ball, the backs played right up to smother, and in the inevitable breakdown the Bay forwards smashed through. Mortlock was completely bottled up, C. J. Oliver had to make his own chances, and a few bright runs on his account and an occasional jinky burst by brother Billy at half-back provided the sum total of Canterbury’s back attack. Originality and experience in varying the attack at half and first fiveeighth might have made some difference, but it is safe to say that had Canterbury’s backs proved more dangerous, Hawke’s Bay would have taken good care that they did not see so much of the ball. As it was, the working understanding between W. Oliver

and Hazelhurst was not very good, and some passes were dropped, and whenever Hazelhurst kicked he manv aged to put the ball right into the hands of Vartan, the visiting fullback, who did not make a single mistake. Mortlock kicked better, but he did not have many chances even to kick. With All Their Weight. Among the heavy Bay forwards. Steere, Collins. Mataira. Miller and Reid caught the eye continually in the loose, as well as working wonderfully in the tight, bringing every ounce of their great weight into play. As rover. Rolls was a useful man, with great speed. The Hawke's Bay backs impressed with their wonderful sureness. They did nothing exactly brilliant, but not once throughout the game did they make the mistake that world have let Canterbury jn. Clothier, Bradley, Le Quesne and Evans proved themselves in the first class as rush-stoppers and

tacklers. Mortlock and Charlie Oliver were never allowed to get going. Moreover, when the Bay backs were caught in a tight place, their excellent backing up and sure handling made many opportunities for the line-kick that would relieve.

On the right wing for the Bay, Smith, the big Maori, played a wonderful game. On the day, he should certainly be in the All Black side for Australia. He was not greatly tested on defence, which was reputed to be his weak point, but there was no doubt about his ability on attack. He made the first Hawke’s Bay try, and scored the second after doing the bulk of the penetration himself. The way he picked the ball up at top speed on that occasion was marvellous, as was the way he kept his feet in the mud. Terrifically solid, and fast with it, he has a very powerful fend which proved altogether too much : for Tweedie. Twice it kept C. Oliver away. When a man can throw off Charlie Oliver twice in succession, then he is indeed difficult to stop. It is a long time since Lancaster Park has seen such a dangerous winger. On the other side, Apsev, light and of a totally different type, was less spectacular, but competent in every way, always dangerous when he had the ball. Excellent Full-backs.

The full-back play on both sides was excellent. Nolan had the harder task and he responded well. Both he and Vartan fielded and kicked soundly, and were capable of all the hard work that came along.

The Canterbury forwards, out-weight-ed and out-generalled, put up a fight that should earn them nothing but praise. Manchester and Cottrell played themselves limp in an effort to hold the Bay forwards, and they did splendidly. Their game against odds gives them a higher reputation than ever. Howell was another to work determinedly. Indeed, all the pack men gave of their best. Andrews, as rover, was one of the very finest forwards on the field. He was a thorn in the side of the Bay all the time. He made no mistakes with handling, followed up fast all the time, and his sense of anticipation always

took him to the right spot. He showed up again in starting rearguard movements. A Good Move Too Date. It was not till the end of the game that Andrews was taken out of the scrum and put in as extra five-eighth. It was a good move made too late. The lack of response in time to the tactics of the opposition was one thing that can be held against the practice of having the captain of a team in the scrum. That is not in any way a criticism of Cottrell himself; but it must be apparent that a back sees what happens when the ball comes out, and a forward, especially one on the front rank, can do so but seldom. W. Oliver, though shaky for the first few minutes, made a creditable showing, especially when the opposing forwards made it so hard for him. Hazelhurst was game, but lacked last year’s polish. Mortlock was more subdued than ever before in the last two seasons. Nothing went right for him. C. J. Oliver was perhaps the best back on the ground, and made one or two fine openings out of few chances. He was unlucky in not notching a try in the first spell. He also was starved for opportunities. Tweedie and Mann played pluckily, but they w.ere up against opposition that was too good for them, and the wet field militated against them.

Canterbury can have no regrets over this match. Mistakes were made, certainly, but the players showed fine grit 'and determination against odds, and lost the Shield in a way that takes no merit from the long series of good victories.

TO MEET HAWKE’S BAY. Otago Representative Team Chosen. (Special to the “ Star.”) DUNEDIN, July 2:i. '1 he Otago selectors on Saturday night chose the following Otago team to meet the touring Ilawke's Bay side at Carisbrook on Wednesday: Full-back Nicholson (Central Otago).

Three-quarters—Dunne (University), Uttley (University) and 11. M’Skimming (Central Otago). F i ve-eigh th s— Fooke s (U nive rsi ty. captain), D. Trevathan (Southern). Half-back—Simon (Southern). Forwards— Front row: M’Donald (Southern), Lucv (Kaikorai), Campbell (Alhambra). Middle row: Anderson (South Otago). Niven (Southern). Back row:' Hamilton . (University). Chapman (University) and Green (University). Reserves—Forwards: Allan (Kaikorai), Vorrath (Union) and Gibson (Kaikorai). Backs: Saxton (Pirates), Procter (Zingari) and Page (University). All round the team appears to be a well-balanced one that should give a good account of itself, and to those who have followed Rugby closely in Dun- i edin recently* there are few I Nicholson, who several years ago playe l . full-back for University, and who hasj shown exceptionally* good form in subunion matches this year, is a shade better than Silver, the other candidate for representative honours. Fast Three-quarters.

The three-quarter line is a strong and' fast one, the only weakness, perhaps, being in Uttlev’s defence. As fiveeighth Fobkes’s selection was regarded as a certainty, this brilliant player never having shown better form, his ability being recognised in Christchurch recently in the Otago Varsity-Canter-bury College match. As first five-eighth the selectors have chosen a young steady player in Trevathan, who may be regarded as one of the “ finds ” of the season. Playing well as full-back for Southern till several weeks ago, he was shifted to the five-eighth position, and at once made a success of it, his sure handling, speed and coolness marking him as a very valuable man in that position. In addition to his all-round ability, he is a goalkicker of more than average ability, having converted half a dozen tries for his club this year from the touch-line. Selection of Half-back.

There will probably be a great deal of surprise outside Dunedin at tWe selection of Simon for the half-back position, especially in view of the fact that Francis was nominated for the South Island team for the inter-island trial by the South Island selectors. In recent matches, however, Simon has shown far better form than Francis, and well merits his choice. On Simon’s showing in the last six matches, in fact, it is difficult to know why the Otago selectors did not nominate him for the South Island trial game. There are no surprises in the forward pack, all the members having earned their places by sterling work in their club teams this year. M’Donald is probably the most improved man in the pack, this 13.6 man being 'a great worker in the tight and very fast in the open. Anderson, the South Otago man, who has found a place, has played representative football in the North Island and is a rugged type of forward. The three Varsity men in the back row form a very useful trio of hard workers. The average weight of the pack is just under 13.0.

Matches Against Hawke’s - Bay.

Since 1887 Canterbury have beaten Hawke’s Bay on only five occasions. The record of games between Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury is as fol-

Team Entertained. The winning Hawke’s Bay team was entertained by the Canterbury Rugby Union at a dinner in the evening. Proposing the toast of “The Hawke’s Bay Rugby Team,” Mr A. E. M’Phail paid a tribute to Mr W. M’Kenzie and the team, who, he said, were worthy acceptors of the shield. The Canterbury team had done its best. He congratulated the Maori members of the winning team on their fine display of football. Responding, Mr E. R. Steere (captain), said that weather conditions had been in favour of his team. The rain had lightened the task of winning, which they had accomplished as a result of forw’ard football. He congratulated the Canterbury team on the fine sporting spirit shown. Mr L. E. Harris (co-manager) said that he had never previously seen such a fine spirit between two unions as had been demonstrated in the match. Mr D. Corbett, in proposing the toast of the “Canterbury Team,” also said that the weather conditions had been in favour of the Hawke’s Bay team. Hawke’s Bay had been pleased when Canterbury won the shield previously for this province had always been triers, and had always given Hawke’s Bay a good game. “We have had the lucky privilege to have been on the winning side for many years,” said Mr A. I Cottrell. (captain) replying. “We arc proud of the way we won our matches, and we hope we are good losers. We had a good and were beaten by a better team, and we were the first to ! acknowledge it.” The toast of the referee was proposed' by Mr R. Masters, and responded to by Mr S. Hollander.

Ashburton Games

(Special to the ••Star.”) ASHBURTON, July 22. The Country team defeated the Ashburton Town team by 12 points to nil in the annual match played at Rakaia yesterday afternoon. I. Behrns scored three tries and D. Mead one try. Mr F. Kennedy was referee. Junior Grade. At Itakaia, the home team defeated Hinds by a points to nil. Methven defeated? Mount Somers by 11 points to 5. Ttie match between Tinwa’d and Mayfield resulted in a win for Tinwald by IT points to 11. A runaway victory was obtained by OlcP Boys over Technical Old Boys by 30 points ‘to 3. Springburn and bowel iffe drew, each team obtaining 3 points. Third Grad*. High School 8. Old Boys 6: Methven IS. Technical Old Boys 0; Rakaia beat Spring-burn by ovrault.

lows: Year. Place. Result. Score 1887 Napier 3-11 1889 Christchurch Lost 3- 5 1892 Napier 11- 2 1898 Napier .. Won 15- 1 1901 Christchurch .. Won 34- 0 1902 Napier 24- 3 1903 Christchurch Lost 9-13 1922 Christchurch Lost 3-29 1923 Hastings ... Lost 8- 9 1925 Napier .. . . 18-24 1926 Christchurch Lost 15-17 1927 Napier .... 11- 8 1930 Christchurch .. Won 12- 3 1931 Hastings Lost 14-17