SHIELD CHALLENGES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 24 July 1934, Page 11

SHIELD CHALLENGES.

Manawatu and Wanganui Seek Fixtures. (Special to the “Star.”) NAPIER, July 24. The Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union, at a meeting to be held this week, will consider two challenges for the Shield,, one from Manawatu. which Ilawke’s Bay defeated at Palmerston North last week, and the other from Wanganui, which will meet the Bay on September 6. Manawatu had previously challenged Canterbury, but after Saturday’s game wanted to have the challenge transferred to the Bay. The Bay is scheduled to play Taranaki on September 1, and Auckland on September 8, the date of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s jubilee celebrations, and it is expected that there will be a challenge for both fixtures.

The Ranfurly Shield rules provide that all challenges must be received by the holders of the trophy before July 31. It was pointed out by the chairman of the management committee, Mr Norrie, that the Bay Union was not compelled to accept all the challenges received, and as the position was at present, a difficulty would be met in regard to a lack of dates available for additional fixtures. Mr Norrie mentioned that since the end of 1931, when it obtained possession of the Shield, the Canterbury Rugby Union had taken more than £5600 from challenge engagements, and in one match against Southland had netted £IO3O in a day. A heyday , match at Wellington had brought a gate of more than £I4OO.

The Mayor of Napier, Mr C. O. Morse, stated that members of the team would be accorded a civic reception on their arrival back in Napier on Tuesday week.