OTAGO TROUNCES SOUTHLAND IN RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 August 1950, Page 6

OTAGO TROUNCES SOUTHLAND IN RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

DUNEDIN, Last Night (PA).— Otago trounced Southland by 22 to 3 in the first Ranfurly Shield match of the season at Carisbrook on Saturday. Particular interest attached to the tu—betwen the only two provincial sides to defeat the British Isles, but Southland were completely outclassed. Eight rugged forwards paved the way for Otago’s victory and seldom has the Southland pack been so convincingly overwhelmed. In the closing stages the Otago backs flung the ball about almost with abandon, always finding at least one man backing up. Admirably led by P. Johnston, the Ctago forwards dominated play from the first whistle to the last. K. L. Skinner, H. W. Wilson and L. R. Harvey gave All Black displays, the last-named giving the backs a feast of the ball from the line-outs. T. A. Budd and C. O. Ballam were solid workers for Southland, but were not supported in the tight as they deserved. Otago supporters were delighted with the display of D. R. Wightman at second five-eighth. He scored a brilliant try and had a hand in others.

The Southland centre, D. Smeaton, after an initial mistake, made a good job of marking C. Moore, but the speedy wingers W. A. Meates and R. H. Bell outclassed their opposite numbers. At full-back G. J. Moore gave an outstanding display for Otago and frequently joined in the attacking moves.

Tries were scored for the winners by Bell (2), Meates, Wightman, and L. S. Haig. Bell converted, two and kicked a penalty. Southland’s points came from a penalty by J. Millar.