RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 5

RUGBY

SHIELD HOLDERS BEATEN TARANAKI WINS BY THREE TO NIL [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, September 13. Subduing the formidable Southland pack in tho last stages of a hard game, Taranaki inflicted tho first defeat on the ißanfurly Shield holders in a thrilling match at Stratford Taranaki won by 3 points (a try) to 0, but deserved a bigger margin for it had a marked superiority in the last 20 minutes. Greater pace in the backs and more life in the forwards contributed to Taranaki’s win. The match was exciting not for its brilliant movements, which were few, but because of the keen struggle for supremacy between two evenly matched teams both of which lasted out the full duration of a game in which the pace never slackened. As Taranaki assumed the upper hand play brightened, culminating in exciting fluctuations during the last 10 minutes. When close to Southland’s Hue Taranaki took a scrum instead of a line out, and with C. Sullivan coming in as the extra man, swept across the field in a fine movement. Hauman dived for tho line, hut lost the ball as he got there. Play swung back to the other corner again, and Taranaki took another scrum for a line out. Arnold was held up short of the line, but Maclean was there to throw himself over and ground the ball before he was thrown on to the flag. The final movement came when Southland went away in its best passing rush of the day. This seemed likely to bring the scores level, but J. Sullivan, who was the best back on the ground, saved brilliantly. To the forwards and to Johns, the full-back, and J. Sullivan must go the credit for Taranaki’s undeniable superiority. The home pack held Southland against the wind and swarmed all over the opposition in the second spell. O’Dawda was a fine leader, and with Walker and Benton, broke through the defence time after time. The Taranaki backs also did their share by keeping the visitors well in check. The threequarter line, moreover, was too fast for Southland, _ and that, combined with frequent mishandling after tho ball had passed Grace, kept the home line comparatively safe. Saxton, Grace, and Mahony were the best of the Southland hacks, while Ward played like one of New Zealand’s finest forwards. INTERISLAND MATCH THE SOUTH ISLAND TEAM [Pan United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, September 13. Tho South Island team to oppose the orth Island in the annual match at veiling ton on September 23 was anounced by the selectors—Messrs A. A. clams (West Coast), A. J. Geddes Southland), and R. R. Masters (Can-•"•hnrvi—to-night as follows: Full-back, S. F, Easton (North Otago). Three-quarters—A. G. Sutherland (Southland), A. W. Wesney (Southland), T. O. Morrison (South Canterbury) , Second five-eighth, W, I. Perriam outgo;. First five-eighth, M. P. Grace (Sonthand). Half-back, C. K. Saxton (South* and). Forwards—Back-ranker, A. A, Parkdll (Otago); middle row—R. H. Ward Southland), D. B. Herron (Southuid), R. R. King (West Coast), C. W. VilHams (Canterbury); front row—Y. L. George (Southland!, W. G. Shorriff (Southland), G. R. M‘Donald (Otago). Emergencies: Backs, iR. U. Roberts (Canterbury), J. W. Purdue (South'and); forwards, S. E. Purdue (Southland) and W. A. Hearn (Canterbury). Saxton will captain the tgide and King will be vice-captain, NORTH AUCKLAND BEATS WELLINGTON [Pee United Press Association.] WHANGAREI, September 13. North Auckland defeated Wellington by 11 points to 3. The superiority of the northern forwards in the loose was the deciding factor. Wellington hooked from the majority of the scrums, but the combination of the youthful back line often failed. An outstanding performance was given by Dance, the 18-year-old WelHngton full-back. For North Auckland, Masters kicked a penalty goal and converted a try scored by Callanan, Cunningham also scored a try, A few minutes before the final whistle went Thomas scored for WelHngton. FIJIAN TEAM WINS AGAIN [Per United Press Association.] ASHBURTON, September 13. Playing in heavy rain and a cold southerly, the Fijian team defeated Ashburton by 10 points to 4. Ploy was ragged at the outset, tho Fijians apparently not being able to find their feet in the mud. The visiting forwards excelled in quick, sharp rushes, while the backs combined in enterprising movements, and had the ground been dry they would probably have given a better display. As in other matches of the tour, the forwards did not gain the ball from the scrum as much as the opposing side, but quick-breaking movements and solid defence compensated for this disadvantage. All the points were scored in the first half, when the visitors were definitely on top. In the second spell Ashburton improved considerably and were within an ace of scoring on several occasions. FOURTH GRADE TRIAL The following players have been selected to take part in the fourth grade Rugby representative trial match at the Caledonian Ground at 3 on Saturday:—A. H. Adams, L. E. A. Spears (King’s High School), Jephson, N. Riach, R. Todd (Dunedin), K. Overton, T. S. Campbell (Otago Boys’ High School), Mathieson, Walker, Payne (Alhambra), E. Preston, W. Glengarry, F. Knox (Union), G. Phillips, A. Watson, H. Taylor (Zingari-Richmontl), W. Edminston, M. Cassie, W. Thurlow (Fort Chalmers), H. Smith, ,1. Walker, O. Moreton (Southern). W. Jeffery. N. Mowat, R. Fraser (Kaikorall, S. Gaudin, J. Bond, B. Ingram (Pirates Ai, W. Ellis, C. W. M‘Lay, N. Edwards (Pirates B), I. M'Leod, 1.. Coombe*, aijd Jl. Aitfeen (Taierij^