RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 17

RUGBY FOOTBALL

KANFURLY SHIELD MATCH t WELLINGTON BEATEN BY SOUTHLAND BRIGHT GAME ON SLIPPERY GROUND (pgltfS ABIOCTATIO* tltMliM.) INVERCARGILL, September 14. Southland to-day successfully defended the Ranfurly ; Shield against Wellington. Southland won by 10 points to 3, two unconverted tries and a field goal to one unconverted try. The game was played in fine weather before a crowd of 7000. The ground was slippery, and the players had difficulty in keeping a foothold.

The conditions did not prevent the players producing good football. On the contrary, they excelled themselves, and the result was a bright game, in which the magnificent forward play of the Southland team more than offset the comparative absence of spectacular combined work by the backs. Wellington fielded a strong and wellbalanced team. It put up a good showing, but was unable to finish off movements and score. Southland fully deserved its victory, as the forwards dominated the play throughout. Wellington played well, but was shaded in most departments. The visiting backs had plenty ot chances, but were unable to capitalise them. Wellington scored within five minutes of the start when Purdue failed to hold the ball from a scrum Eastwood kicked past Ballantyne and won a race for the ball. Pollock missed with the kick. ' Southland’s first try was a brilliant piece of work. The ball went through the backs from a scrum on the Wellington twenty-five and Sutherland went from second five-eighths round the outside to handle a second time and score well out. Ballantyne missed with the kick. Grace dummied his way through for Southland’s second try and a half-time lead of 6 points to 3. In the middle of the second half Grace received from a ruck and kicked a good field goal, making the final scores: Southland 10, Wellington 3.