RANFURLY SHIELD.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1927, Page 4

RANFURLY SHIELD.

TRIBUTE TO HAWKE'S BAY. WELLINGTON, June 4. Wairarapa’s win of the Ranfurly Shield was made in such circumstances that the province seems likely t-o retain the trophy until the end of the season. Wairarapa has a light list of representative fixtures, and of these only three games are on the lioni; ground, so that unless it is decided to take the shield on tour tbe trophy may remain safely locked up in Alas terton. The three games at home are against Hawke’s Bay on July 91h., Bush Districts on July 23rd., and Wanganui on August 23rd. Ihe Wairarapa touring team meets Auckland, Waikato, King Country and Taranaki on various dates from August 31st. to September 10th. so that if Hawke’s Bay's challenge in the return match is staved off the champion province is in a good position. To-day Mr 8- S. Dean, chairman of the Management Committee of lbe New Zealand Rugby Union, stated; - “Wairarapa's defeat of Hawke's Ba> closes a great chapter in the histo'.v of New Zealand Rugby football. Since 1922. vvlien Hawke’s Bay won the Rnnfurly Shield from Wellington with a score of 19 points to 9. the game lias developed in the province as never liefore, mul lias raised it to a heightnever previously reached by .any district in tbe. Dominion. Tbe passing of Auckland’s great record of twentysix successful matches in defence of the trophy, and tlie wonderful burst last .sdhson when against four sueli major provinces .as Auckland, Wellington, Wairarapa and Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay scored a total of 212 points to 36 in four games and established a record for tlie Ranfurly Shield match by scoring 77 points in one game, seems likely to be unrivalled for an indefinite period. Tbe winning of tbe shield did imieli good to football in Hawke’s Bay, but it also benefit-tod tlie game all through New Zealand, for in a very sporting spirit Hawke’s Bay have refused scarcely any requests to make a game away from home a shield encounter, if anything like a represenlatieve side- was to he got. The shield was at stake in Christchurch last season mill it was only because of their severely weakened side that the northerners did not take it through the South Island with them. This sporting action Ims greatly benefitied other unions, for the Hawke’s Bay team has been a great drawing cant and splendid gates have been seen wherever they played. Also tlie team lias set an example in team work which must have been of great benefit to other provinces and helped to raise the .standard of our football, ft is worthy of note that in two seasons, fourteen of fifteen men in the Hawke's Bay team gained a pace in one of the two All Black teams, or else played for the North Island. “Of course tlie end may not be yet, for tbe return match with Wairarapa is next on the list of representative fixtures, nml no one can forecast tlie result, but I am glad to see the trophy go to Wairarapa, where it may prove most, useful in the .same manner as it has benefited Hawke’s Bav.