RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 288, 1 September 1919, Page 6

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

WELLINGTON DEFEAT CANTERBURY

PAST, SPECTACULAR GAME

The first Ranfurly Challenge Shield match played since 1915 took place at tho Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, when Wellington (the holders) met tho representatives of Canterbury, and defeated them by 21 points to 8. It is some time since such a large crowd was present at the Park, the match being witnessed by at least 10,000 spectators. Among tho visitors were His Excellency tto Governor-General (the Earl of Liverpool), Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jelliooe of Scapa, Archbishop Rodwood, and the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P., C.M.G.), A hearty 'greeting was acoorded Viscount Jollicoe when he arrived on the ground. As he walked towards the official enclosure the people in the grandstand rose •to their feet and lustily cheered- the Admiral. The crowds standing on tho banks also evinced great enthusiasm. \

, The match was very fast and spectat cular, and full of incident. Wellington . fully deserved-their victory,' and It was . apparent that the better team won. Both [ sides were fairly well matched in the t forward division, hut the Wellington r vanguard proved the better stayers. In 1 fact, the game was really a battle of the forwards. There were plenty of good J forward rushes and nice spurts of dribbl- ' ing. In the latter class of work, Wellington excelled. Canterbury did not have many opportunities of getting their backs into action, so it islfaixl to judge them in this respect. The AVellington backs worked well together, but on two or three occasions they lo3t excellent ! chances of scoring on aocount of throw- - ing the ball about too wildly at critical r ■ ]>oints of the gaijic. Generally speaking, > --tho combination teams was good, t and there were not many lapses on this - score. Roberts, the Wellington captain, played a fine game, and he was in splendid form. Green (Oriental), who took Jackson's place as wing-forward, . did Mime good kicking, and lie justified his inclusion in the team. Fitzgerald and ' Buchanan also played well for CanterWiry. The tackling on both sides was ' very sound, and was responsible for a ' number of likely looking situations being ; broken up. With the exception of Wel- ' I lington's final try, all the scoring in the . j game was done in the first spell, which ! closed, with Wellington 10 points in the I lead. Both spells were fiercely contested, but towards the finish of the second half the Canterbury forwards manifestly tired, and this really led up to the win- ' j ners being able to secure their final try. Wellington were tho first to score, M'Ar- . thur obtaining a good try some little ; time after the game started. This was | converted by Roberts. Shortly after- ' wards, Buchanan drew biooil for Cantor--1 bury with a try that d-rew forth the admiration of the spectators. Wellington ; scored their second try before Canterbury obtained their second and final try. [ From thence onwards the 'play continued ' to be keen, but Wellington were success- ■ ful in preventing their lino from being ; crossed again. Tho weather was beautifully fine for the game, suid the ground ' was in excellent condition. | Followins were the teams:— i WELLINGTON (Black): , Full-back. Chrisp. Three-quarters: j M'Arthur, Corner, Algar. , ' Five-eighths: E. Roberts (captain), J. Tilyard. Half: S Nicholls. ! Wing-forward: Ureen. ■ Forwards! Elliott, Parker, , Paton, Baker, Ryan, ; V De Clifton, Shearer. CANTERBURY (Red and Black): Full-back, i . Brosnahan. Three-quarters: Hirst, Davis, Buchanan. Five-eighths: ■' Yates, Jl'Cormack. Half: Fitzgerald. Wing-iorward: Carnegie. Forwards: Shaw, Sparrow, Peterson, Murray (captain), Sparks, Jackson, Cummings. \ Referee: Captain T. H. Jones. THE PLAY. » Wellington won the toss, and Peterson kicked off for Canterbury. The ball went to the line-out, and after the throwin Algar received the ball from Corner and made for the Canterbury goal line, but ho was held up by Davis, who picked up the ball and kicked into touch. Tho succeeding play was marked by some good line-kicking on the part of Chrisp and Roberts. A free-kick given against Wellington for off-sido play was charged down in great style by De Clifton, but from the ruck Davis secured ( the ball and initiated a Canterbury attack. Algar snapped" the ball up from the loose, but was promptly pushed out of bounds. Roberts fielded the bnll after Canterbury had taken a free kick, but before going, far he was grassed- and Yates found' "the line. Following the throw-in there was a passing rush in which Roberts, Tilyard, and M'Arthur took part. Buchanan disrupted tho attack, and Canterbury were then penalised.-. Tho kick, which was taken by Green, fell short of the posts. Anotlior Wellington rush was admirably frustrated by Buchanan, who intercepted a pass, and the Red and Blacks took charge. Chrisp played safely, however, and kicked to th line. Canterbury forwards ultimately got possession and Carnegie commenced a rush, in which he was .supported by Cummings. Wellington subsequently pot possession and a hard tussle took place in front of tho "Canterbury goal. Algar attempted to pot a goal, but Murray stopped the passage of the ball to the posts. Offside play by Carnegie led to "Wellington being awarded, a nenalty, but Green's attemut just failed. Soon after this Roberts fielded the ball r.icely. and a Bussing rush by Tilyard. Corner, and M'Arthur ended in the last-named easily beating Buchanan and scoring a good try. Robert* converted. ' Wellington 5 Canterbury 0 After the kick-out, Canterbury set up a& attack, and the ball passed between .Fitzgerald, M'Cormack, Yates, Davis,' ami Buchanan, who dashed over and obtained a well-merited try. Davis had no luck i with the kick. Wellington 5 • Canterbury ..I 3 i Wellington once moro assumed the aggressive, and a sweeping movement of a spectacular character ensued between Corner, Tilyard, and Algar. Grassed near the corner flag, Algar got rid of the ball quickly, and before any Canterbury man could eeifee it, Corner gathered it up, hopped over the line in the twinkling of an eye, and touched down. Green converted tho try with a beautiful kick. Wellington • 10 Canterbury 3 Up-and-down piny followed until u j strong forward rush by Canterbury placed Wellington in danger. For a time the Blacks managed to save 111 situation, but at last Fitzgerald picked up tho ball and passed it to Cummings, who transferred it to, Jackson. Tho ball camo back into Cuminings's hands and he slipped over the line. Davis added the major points. Wellington % 10 Canterbury 8 Onco more Wellington found themselves ( knocking at the visitors' door, and be- < fore long M'Arthur scored a further try i after an exciting passing rush, in which j all the Wellington backs had a hand. < Green converted. ( Wellington 15 1 Canterbury 8 The Wellington bucks knocked the ball I about a good deal in the succeeding i play, and Chrisp very nearly scored after ( following up one of his own kicks. Can- < terbury then turned the tables, and < pressed hard, Yates and Buchanan being i prominent in 60iiie' desporate work on the Wellington line. Wellington obtained relief after two hot scrummages, and the Black vanguard carried tho ball to the Canterbury end. Green. Paton, and Elliott engaged in a splendid dribbling

rush, and, by sheer weight .of the onset, Elliott forced hie way over the Red and Black line, scoring a well-earned try. Greou's kick at goal went a trifle wid 1 * At half-time the score was:— Wellington 18 Canterbury 8 The Second Half. After resumption of play the "Wellington forwards attacked, but Canterbury were awarded a free-kick, which was taken by Yates. Ho found tho line across the. half-way lino, From tho throw-in Carnegio started a forward rush, and Wellington wore compelled to forte down after a scrummage near tho line. The Wellington forwards livened up after the drop-out, and there was some close work noar half-way. Tilyard suddenly gathered in the ball and mad" a fast run for the Canterbury line, with Brosnahan in hot pursuit. When within a yard of the line Tilyard was overhauled by Brosnahan, and the ball rolled over the line. There was a great scramble for possession, but Davis was too quick and he saved the position for the Red and Blacks by kicking into the field. Canterbury then swarmed into the Wellington twenty-five, but Clrrisp was. a safe' defence.' The visitors again returned to' tho assault, and some exciting play took place on the Wellington line, Roberts hai the ball, and not attempting to force, there were desperate attempts to collar him. Eluding Cummings, he found the line with a welltimed kick, and the advantage then went to Wellington. Some pretty passing on tho part of tho Canterbury backs nearly proved decisive, but Wellington played a sound defensive game, and all efforts on the part of Canterbury to break through were unavailing. Algar eventually kicked up field and the whole Wellington side came away in a rush, which Brosnahan stemmed by . sending the ball into touch. Wellington oncu more found themselves on the defensive, and Roberts tried to clear. He was grabbed by Fitzgerald, but managed to keep his feet for a moment or two. Then he vras brought down and lost the ball, but before' any Canterbury player could pick it up it was kicked "dead." Even play ensued until Tilyard and Roberts broke away. Roberts did some very, clever dodging work, but he could not get through the solid phalanx of forwards. Ultimately, Nicholls cleared from the ruck, and Roberts and Tilyard carried the ball on to the Canterbury twenty-five, where Tilyard was collared. M'Arthur got the ball and dashed for the line, but was thrown out at the corner. Soma hard work took place all along the Canterbury front, but Wellington were forced back to midfield. • Roberts, Algar, and Corner broke away in a passing rush and a score looked certain, but a forward pass spoiled'the movement. Towards the close of the game Canterbury attacked strongly and the Wellington linos were in considerable danger. A pretty dribbling rush, in which Parker and Ryan took a leading part, averted possible trouble. Roberts got the ball from a throw-in and passed it to Tilyard, who, unfortunately, caused a knock-on and another chance was lost. An incident of particular note in the following play was the failure of Roberts to kick a penalty goal from in front of tho posts, which caused some amazement. Within two minutes of the conclusion. of the game the Wellington forwards dashed well into the Canterbury twenty-five, and, carrying on the attack, Ryan scored a .good try at the corner. Green's kick went just outside of the posts and tho game closed with the 6Corei Wellington 21 •. Canterbury 8 I After the match the visitors were en'terfcained at dinner and then went south by the Mararoa. ' PAST SHIELD MATCHES, 'In view of the thirtieth meeting of representatives of the Wellington and Canterbury provinces at the Athletic Park on , Saturday afternoon,. the ,-iolIqwing table of the results of the various matches is interesting (Wellington ha 3 won IS), Canterbury 11, and one was drawn)lß76, Canterbury, won, 13-1*; 1879. Wellington won, 5-3; ISS3, Wellington won, 3-0; 1885, Canterbury won, 8-0; ISB7, Wellington won, 8-5; 1891, Canter; bury won, 16-1*; 1892, Wellington won, 12-1'; 1895, Canterbury won, 64; 1896, Wellington won, 12-3; 1897, Wellington won, 4-0; 1898, drawn, 6 all; 1899, Canterbury won, 6-5; 1900, Wellington won, 16-fi; 1901, Canterbury won, 12-3; 1902, Canterbury won, 9-3; 1903, Canterbury won, 8-5; 1904, Wellington won, 6-3; 1905, Canterbury won, o'-3; 1906, Wellington won, 34-0; 1907, Canterbury won, 9-6; 1903, Wellington won, 11-5; 1809, Wellington won, 11-6; 1910, Wellington won, 26-9: 1911,. Wellington won, 26-9; 1912, -Wellington won, 16-9; 1913, Wellington won, 6-3; 1914, Canterbury won, 11-9; 1918, Wellington-won, 9-0; 1918, Wellington won, 18-8; 1919, Wellington won, 21-8. *A forco counted one point. watches were played in 1918,- one at Christcluirch and the other at Wellington;

THE CURTAIN-RAISER. A curtain-raiser to the representative match was played between a team of Maoris from Porirua and a fifteen from H.M.S. New Zealand. After a somewhat amusing game the Maoris won by 19 points to 6. Tries for tho winners were scored bv Martin (2), Ropata, C. Witami, and R. Wi Nerra. Martin converted two tries., Marchout and Taylor each scored a try .for H.M.S; Ne v / Zealand. Mr. L. Smart was referee. ' FOURTH CLASS. In tho fourth class final Pelonc v. Oriental, played at Duppa Street, the forme team was victorious by 3 points'- to nil, SENIOR CADET MATCHES. HANDSOME TROPHY PRESENTED. The military authorities of Group V (Wellington) recently decided -to instittute Rugby and 'Soccer football competitions for the Senior Cadet companies in their oharge. At the outset of the scheme they were faced by the difficulty that they had nn trophy to oiler the winners in either department of sport. On Saturday, Major C. P. Knight (Motor Service Corps) came to the rescue with a generous offer of a challenge shield for the Rugby competition. Captain Bel' (Officer Commanding tho Group) .accepted the gift on behalf of, tho Cadets, and expressed to Major Knight the thanks o.f officers and Cadets for tho timely solution of quite an awkward little problem.

SCHOOLS' TOURNEY ABANDONED. Owing 'to the curtailment of railway passenger travelling and the consequent heavy expenso incurred in bringing visiting teams to Wellington, tho public schools' tourney which was to hove opened at tho Athletic Park on Saturday has been abandoned. INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES. WELLINGTON V. MARLBOROUGH. By Telegraph.—l'reps Association. Blenheim, August 31. The Rugby match between Marlbor ough and Wellington was played in fine weather. The ground was greasy ciftei heavy rain. Marlborough won by 18 to 15. after a strenuous game. In the firs' half Wellington played with tho sun in their favour, but showed no outstanding superiority, tho local backs having'tho best of the exchanges,; Marlborough scored the whole' of their points in the first half. Wellington scored two tries. In tho second spell Wellington played with bettor dash, the backs combined effectively, and added three more tries, which were not converted. In the final stages tho visitors made energetic efforts to oqualiso the score, but poor place-kicking resulted in failure to turn the game in their favour.

THE SEDDON SHIELD. By Telegraph— Press Association. Westport, August 31. To-tlav the Buller Rugby team stallet off iho second attempt i" take the Seddon Shield from them by defeating West Coast by 14 points to 6. Throughout tho match the Buller forwards were masters of the situation, and never let the speedy Coast backs get properly away. For the Buller team Colvin and Young scored. Sshadick converting one try and kicking two goals (mm the field. Steele kicked a beautiful goal from tho field for the Coast team, and also scored. From another kick the same player put the ball' on the cross-bar, and it rebounded into play.