RANFURLY SHIELD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1831, 18 August 1913, Page 6

RANFURLY SHIELD.

TRANSFERRED TO TARANAKI. A CLOSE GAME. (By Telegraph—Frees Association.) Auckland, August 10. Tho Ranfurly Shield match between Auckland and Taranaki was played in fino weather on ft heavy ground. Thorp was an attendance of about 10,000 when tho teams iiled on to tho ground. A light south-east wind gave a very slight advantage to, the defenders of the eastern goal. Taranaki won the toss, and played from tho western end, JfLeod captaining: the visitors, and O'Leary Auckland. THE FIRST HALF,

Auckland wero the iirst to gct'eoinpr, a passing run having Taranaki defending, Oil-side play let the visitors clear, and from the lirst scrum Auckland secured, but Weston missed the pass, Macky kicking into touch at half-way. The Taranaki forwards were putting a lot. of dash into tlicir work, and play settled in . the Auckland quartor, when Brawn kicked over, and Cameron, following up fast, bea't O'Leary, ami scored after five lpimites' play. Ktohr missed nn easy kick. Taranaki, 3; Auckland, 0.

Tlie viators came hack to the attack, hut .were over-anxious, a freo-kiek pulling iliem np. Tliey kept' up the. pressure, and were rtinnin',' the Auckland forwards <iif tlicir legs, Webb saving nicely. The visitors were throwing (lie ball about and making it open, but Tioberts Tiling on tco ioii;, r , and the free-kick sent, them past half-way for Hie first J'imc. A freo-kiek (o Taranaki lonic 'tlicm to (lie Auckland territory, and. M'Uregor missing badly, the Yellows attacked again. Loose kicking ended at. the half-way (lap, a knock to Stohr calling a hall. On resuming Auckland forwards took charge, and, Brown being penalised, O'Loary had a shot, tho litill falling short. Auckland now attacked, and (leddes got over, but was railed back, going out of bounds. Auckland kept up the attack, and Macky made a'line opening' and sent to Geddis, who was able to outpace M'Teed and Ytill and score. O'Leary kicked a goal. Auckland, !i; Taranaki, 3. ■ it- thli< «tMO Stohr camo on again, l/ut

immediately retired, Meuli taking his place, goiny full-back and Hill threequarter. Taranaki attacked, and Hill potted a goal, tho ball going just outsido tho post, Auckland forcing, which they had to do immediately after from a long kick by Tamil. There was no further (•.core in this spell. SECOND SPELL, Weston returned tho kick-off to Hill, who missed, and play went to the halfway. Taranaki set up an attack, and O'JUeary's kick being weak, Loveridge followed up fast, aiul, beating Geddes scored. Roberts failed with the kick. Taranaki, G; Auckland, 5. Taranaki camo again, Mack saving. A free-kick was of very little uso to theln, and tho yellows attacked, Deivar eooriug. Roberts tailed with tho kick. Taranaki, l J; AucklaJiu, 5. Alter further interesting play Aucklandcame with a passing ran, and M'Gregor scored. O'Leary made a good: attempt at goal. 'Taranaki, 9; Auckland, 8. Auckland wero now opening tho gamo up, and play was in the visitors' quarter. A passing rua wag spoiled by M'Leod intercepting. A fine savo by O'Leary sent Taranaki back, but th& visitors were playing a e-poiling game, and kicking for tho line. A great rush

book the piny to Meuli, who saved at tlio quarter. Auckland 'camo with a couple' of passing runs, M'Gregor being slopped 031 tho line. .A t tho next Weston, badly fooled M'Leod and Hill, and got over at tho cornea-. . O'Leary failul at goal. Auckland, 11; Taranaki, 9, Play was even from tho kick-out, till Webb rilissod Hill's'kick, awl Taranaki attacked. Auckland bcut them back. A free-kick to Taranaki was not made tho most of, and Stewart relieved. A mark was obtained by Bruce, and O'Leary had a shot from a long distance, Loveridgo returning to tho half. ■ Another free-lack to Auckland, and O'Leary had a shot from tlio centre, tho ball falling just under the lmr. Taranaki wore trying hard to open the play, but Auckland beat thc.ni back. l'hey made a great rally, and Hill centring, Roberts got over. The try was converted. Taranaki, 14; Auckland, U.

Auckland -were now adopted desperate efforts, and O'Leary ran down, aijd passed to Macky, who ran to tho centre. Tara>naki came again, and were attacking when tho bell rang, with tho tally Taranaki 14 Auckland 11