SOUTHLAND RETAINS RANFURLY SHIELD

Chronicle (Levin), 26 August 1946, Page 6

SOUTHLAND RETAINS RANFURLY SHIELD

IN \ ERCARG1LE, August 25. Before an entliusiastie crowd oi' beLweeu 9UUU and 10,000 spectators, tlie fcr'oulhland Kugby team successfull v del'ended the Ranfurly Bhield against Cauterbury at Kugby Park on Haturday attenioon. tiouthland won bv 11 points to 3 — one converted try and two penalLy goals to an uiiconverted try. Webster, Wouthlaud full-back, scored eight of his team's points and Calder (half- back) scored a try. McHugh scored C'anterbury 's try. Played in almost ideal conditions 011 a fasL ground and with a dry ball, tlie ' game was notable for liard c.xchanges auiong the forwards and there were many casualties 011 the iSouthland side. No fewer than niue Boulhlaud players received atteution for injuries. Oue was betvveen Budd who luet Argus (Cauterbury centre) in a head-on collision and retired after play had been in progress only 15 minutes. ile was replaced by 11. Cody. Ilighlights oi tlie play were \\ eb ster's display at full-back for Guutli land, scintillatiug runs by Argus and au outstanding perl'ormance by Cam eron, a Bouthlaud front ruw i'orwatd. BouthJand 's ^\•in was clear-cut but Cauterbury liad plenty of opportunities to win which were missed many times. tlieir backs Jiad an overlap in passing rushes which was spoilt bv fauitv handling. Cauterbury 's forwards played vyitli unusual vigour but although iheJ,ig,hteiiT,,Southlan.d pattk ■ Took a , hauering in the rucks and line-outs, ii was not subduod. Tlie scrums favoured Bouthland and the .line-outs favoured Cauterbury. The visiting backs opeued up the game at every opportuuity. At times thev threw the ball about with abandou and they paid the penalty oi reckiess transfers and dropped passes. Gate receipts totalled just 011 £1002.