RUGBY FOOTBAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 303, 16 September 1920, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBAL

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

SOUTHLAND DEFEAT WELLINGTON

By Telegraph-Special Correspondent.

Invercargill, September. 15. The ilaufurly Shield, hcid by Wellington mi'cc 1914, when it vas wrested from iarn.nu.ki, was lost and won here to-day, boutluand proving the victora by 17 points to 6. The weatner was fine, and . tho ground dead. Taking the game from start to tinißh, the home team practically hud its own way, tho forwards doing great work, while the rcai guard, though not quite so clover ns the visitors, tackled ill deadly fashion, and Ihiß helped to » very large extent. Tho pick of tho Southland team were liaird, Holmes Fortune, Stead, I.opdell. Ccckrot't, and Agiiuw. ,T'he Wellington team played well,-and no faults can beiound, but it is time the managing body of tho Wellington Union limited the number of Shield matches in a season. To-day's match was the eleventh. To play eleven Shield matchep in one season is too much for a team, and tho strain ia now making itself felt, several players allowing signs of staleness. Tho players themselves admit this. Wellington lost the toss, and Wilson set the game going. Within two minutes, as the result of a forward rush, the visitors forced. Prom the drop-out the home team name again, and otfside play by Wellington enabled Whyte to goal. Southland, 3; Wellington, nil. Southland continued tho attack, and two wild pots followed in quick succession. Wellington shone out '» a passing iush, but it broke down, and the home forwards went away with tho ball at toe. A ccramble ensued at tho corner, where Fortune crossed. The kick was a failure. Wellington took a turn at attacking, but wore scon back iu their own twenty-five, 'ore relief was sought in a force. Not , be denied, the home team came again, and from a scrum in the visitors.' twenty-five, the ball came to Stead, who scored. Again the kick failed. From now on till half-time Wellington were continually on the defence. On the resumption Wellington started to push matters, and from half-way Boberts had a shot, "vhich fell under the bar. Immediately trom the drop-out Wellington were lucky to avert a score, but Brook cleared. Then a sensational thing happened. From a scrum on the halfway line Southland hooked the ball, and it went to Holmes on the wing, who out-paced-the opposition, and scored ;i una try. The • attempt to convert failed. Southland, 12; Wellington, nil. With a double-figure score against them Wellington went iu with energy, and took the ball to tho home twenty-five. From a scramble J. Shearer handed the ball to H. Kicholls, who sent on to Boberts. Then it went to M. NichoUo and llyan. The latter passed to M'Cabe, who put in a, great run, crossing the line well out. .-! 'Men ills failed; to add the major points. Southland, 12; Wellington, 3. Play lingered in the region of. half-way for a time till the Wellington backs got. going. The ball went right across to' M'Cabe, but after a short run he was collared in tho corner. From the ensuing scramble Wellington were awarded a freekick, and Roberts did the trick. Southland, 12; Wellington, 6. Southland, stirred on by these reverses, attacked, and a melee in front of the Wellington goal saw Stead score. Brown converted. Southland, 17; Wellington, 6. There were now 15 minutes for Wellington to make up the leeway, but try as they would tho defence of the home team could"nnt be pierced. M. Nichollo made a beautiful opening, but nobody w.ib there to back him up, and a possible score was lost. The dying stages of the game were all in Southland' 6 favour, the only incident cf note bein;;. a run by O'Sulliran and J. Shearer. The latter undoubtedly grounded the ball a foot over the line, but the referee ruled "no try." much to Wellington's astonishment. The whistle was then scunded. and all tho Southland team wore shouldered off the ground. Cheer after cheer greeted.'thcir return to the pavilion. The match, without, doubt. waß won by the belter team. Mr. D. Storker was referee.

Attev the match the teams were entertained at dinner. Mr. A. J. Gcddcs (president of the Southland Union) proposed the health of the'visitors, and referred to the sporting spirit of the Wellington F.ugbv Union in waiving, the. rule that Shield matches must bo played on tho holder's ground. Mr. W. Horme (manager of the Wellington team) replied, and in doing eo congratulated tlie Southland team oh tho great game put up. rhs Wellington team leave for Christchurch in the morning.

CANTERBURY TEAM FOR SATURDAY. By Telecm-vi-Press Assnniation.

Christchurch, September 15. The Canterbury team to playWcUiw;ton on Saturday in the Banfirrly Shield match is a; follows:—Pull-bach. 0. E, Evans (Old Boys): three-quarters. W. A. Ford (WnrivaleV G. B. Wilson (Albion), an* A. M'Leod (University).: five-ekhths. E. Fitznora'd (Manst), «M D. M'Cormick (Marlst ; half-back. D. M'K. Sandman (Merivale); wing-forward. N. Carnesie (Menvnle): forwards. J. B. Jackson (University), B. M'Clcary (Marist). E. Cummingß (Llmvood), K. Henderson (Christchureh). h. Peterson (Marist), E. W. Hasell (Meriynle), and. IT. G. Munro (University). Emergencies: Hacks. J. M'Ormack .(Marist) and M. OMalley (Marist); forwards, E. H. Ellis (Marist) and A. Henry (Merivale).

WELMNG7ON V. WAIEABAPA. A return match will be played between Wellington and Waircrapa. at the Athletic Park on Saturday. The Wellington team will be as follows :-Full-back, Halm; three-quarters. Jackson, I). Alear. Aitkenj nve-niehths. Comer J. Tilyard; half-back, 0. Tilynrd: wine-forward. W. Itynr.;. forwards,' Smith, Osborne. Thomas, Jloffltt, Troy. A. Parker, and de Clifton. Emergencies: Backs. Altrnr and Earie: forwards, Hutchißon and Walters. Two curtain-raisers will be played, the A and B third-class representative:; meebinjr on No. 1 ground, and tho Post Office and Government Insurance teams nlayin? the ecmi-final of the Public Scrvico tourncy ou No. 2 ground. MOASCAB CUP FINAL. The final of the Moascar Cup (secondary schools competition! will now take P aeo next Tuesday at the Athletic Park (not Wednesday as first arranged). The. Christchurch Boys' TTiirh School (winners of the South Island tournament) will "lay the winners of the Palmerston North High School v. Auckland Grammar School ■-ame, which will be played this Saturday at Palmerston Nor.th: Mr.'L. Simnson. of Wellington, will referee the came. The final iraine "will be controlled by Mr. Bert M'Kenzie,. of Walrarapa. The cup will be presented to the winners at a dinner to lie held at the Y.M.O.A. after the final match.