RANFURLY SHIELD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20009, 7 August 1939, Page 13

RANFURLY SHIELD

SOUTHLAND VICTORIOUS OTAGO CHALLENGE FAILS HOLDERS ALWAYS ON TOP MARGIN OF 19 POINTS (Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, this clay. Southland iretained the Ranfurly Shield by defeating Otago, the challengers, by 23 points to 4. Southland held the advantage practically throughout. With no wind and no sun, conditions were good for the match. There was ,a big attendance. Otago opened up the attack from the start, but the movement broke down and Southland changed the scene. Grace made a nice opening, but Wesney missed the pass. Both packs made good sorties and Mitchell got away to send a long pass out to Perriam, but he was brought down. The Southland forwards again broke away, but Otago secured from a line-out and the back line made several attempts to get into action, but without success.

Gtrace was again prominent in. a Southland movement and a penalty kick by Wesney fell short. Southland kept up the pressure and Purdue got over for a good try. The kick by Wesney missed. Southland 3 Otago ..' .. .. 0 Fifteen minutes’ play had then gone. Perriam was conspicuous for good play and Otago were awarded a penalty for an infringement, but Trevathan failed to get under the ball and missed a fairly easy shot. Interesting Play Play in Southland territory followed, with the maroon vanguard keeping the game tight. Otago secured possession from a scrum, but Trevathan’s speculator went astray. The play, though not brilliant, was interesting, with neither side gaining any advantage. Play was temporarily interrupted when Niven was injured, (going to the side-line. For a minute the Otago rearguard was away, but Mitchell checked the movement by missing a pass. The maroon backs then took a hand and play centred near the Otago line, but the overanxious backs missed the chance to score. Wesney had a shot at goal from a penalty and succeeded, to the accompaniment of great cheering. The maroon forwards checked two Otago movements, and then Southland changed the play to the Otago half, where Wesney missed a kick at goal. Saxton Scores Southland again rushed to the goal line and Saxton got across for a beautiful try, but again the kick missed. The play up to this stage had been very even, though the home team had had the better use of its opportunities. After 32 minutes’ play the score was 9—o in favour of the shield holders. Purdue passed nicely to Ward, wno looked likely to succeed, but was upended. Wesney had anothem attempt from a penalty and got the ball over the bar, making the half-time score: Southland .. .. ..12 Otago 0

The second spell commenced with the maroons invading Otago territory, but Herron’s efforts to retain possession were smothered. Otago maddesperate efforts to change the position, but the backs were frustrated every time they attempted to break through. Trevathan again missed a penalty kick. Saxton made a good save, and then the forwards carried play downfield and Ward completed a beautiful movement to score. Wesney added the extra points. Southland .. ..... 17 Otago 0 Not dismayed by the 17-point deficit, Otago rallied and for the next 10 minutes kept Southland busy until the scene changed and an infringement enabled Wesney to kick another penalty, making the score: Southland .. .. .. 20 Otago .. .. .. 0 Mitchell Prominent Mitchell was prominent but was collared, enabling Purdue to pass to Saxton, and he in turn sent on to Grace, the last-named being stopped by Vorrath. A moment later Trevathan tried his characteristic field goal without avail, and then Ferriam took a penalty kick which struck the upright. The Southland forwards relieved, but the Otago backs and forwards, combining well, were back again inside the maroon 25 line, where Black “potted,” but the kick was charged down. ■Southland maintained the pressure add eventually' Purdue got across. Southland .. . . .. 23 Otago 0 With five minutes to go Werner intercepted and broke away, but his kick was too hard and Fleming cleared. Perriam handed out to Mitchell, who was caught. With two minutes to the final whistle Trevathan essayed a pot and succeeded, making the final score: Southland .. .. .. 23 Otago .. .. .. 4