RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, 7 August 1930, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SOUTHLAND HOLD RANFURLY SHIELD. DECISIVE VICTORY OVER OTAGO. HOLDERS IN GOOD FETTLE. INVERCARGILL, August 6. Southland’s hold on the Ranfurly Shield was strengthened to-day, when the holders decisively defeated Otago by 37 points to 5. This was Southland’s most convincing victory over the sister province, whose team, however, was not at full strength in to-day’s match. The game was played in fine weather, though rain during the night had made the ground on the heavy side, and it became a trifle greasy as play proceeded. The Southland forwards played magnificently and were well supported by their backs, by whom most of the tries were scored. Southland dominated the first spell. Otago seemed quite unable to hold the vigorous home pack, whose vim and dash had diminished but little in the closing stages. After the interval, the Maroons early asserted their superiority and except on rare occasions were hammering away at the Otago line. The backs also showed to advantage and delighted the crowd with some spectacular bouts of passing. The visitors were seldom seen on attack, but they went down gamely to a vastly superior team. On to-day’s showing, the Southland pack will present formidable opposition to challengers for the Shield. -(P-A.) REP. MATCH. WAIRARAPA TEAM TO PLAY BUSH Following is the Wairarapa Rugby representative team to play Bush, at Carterton, on Wednesday next: Fullback, Roach; three-quarters, R. Jury, stringfellow, Fuller; five-eighths, Corkill, Mill; half, Hart; wing forward, J. Donald; forwards, K. Reid, J. Walker, Reside, Harvey, Fairbrother, McGregor, S. Willoughby; reserves, J. Denby, Reid. The team will assemble at the Marquis of Normanby Hotel, Carterton, at noon on the day of the match. Any player not available is requested to notify the selector or the secretary at once.