RANFURLY SHIELD

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1933, Page 2

RANFURLY SHIELD

BULL Ell BEATEN. BY 18 POINTS TO 3. CHRISTCHURCH, September 9. Canterbury wo n their fifth match of the season tor the' ItanfurJy Shield, beating Buller at Lancaster Park this after by 13 points to 3. The game was the dullest that the 1933 season has produced in Christchurch. The quick-breaking Buller forwards obtained

an even distribution of territorial advantage, but as an attacking factor the visiting backs were impotent against the sound Canterbury defence. Buller kicked off defending the south end. and Manchester flinging a long in-pass tried to send the Canterbury backs- away. The Buller men dame up< fast/ 'however. and Canterbury were on the defensive before the game had lasted a minute. The shield holders’ defence whs sorely tried right at the onset, hut from the first serum the Canterbury forwards secured and Duushea cleared with la. neat line kick. Tlie first tjme Buller gained possession from the scrum, Mortlock made sure of Holder, who was playing at second five-eighths, and the movement broke down. A second later Jones came through after a short punt and Oliver’s speed only j ust effected a clearance.

The game started as ; has many others, with the challenge's putting on the pressure, and Canterbury using all their knowledge to keep them out. .; The first time Canterbury got the. ball, the crowd was electrified rush in which all the backs handled, and Dunsbea got the ball in the Buller twenty-five. Oliver came up with a great burst of speed to take a pass j on the outside, and got over the line. I but a knock-on spoiled wblat appeared a beautiful try. A free kick gave French a hard shot at goal, hut the ball went wide. Canterbury’s one burst showed that with the hall they would prove a terribly hard proposition for the visitors. French rose to the occasion with a good clearance when Robertson smashed through at the head of a keen Buller forward rush, in which Hill was injured, but resumed straight away. In the ensuing scrimmage, Buller secured, but when Holder took ti pass he was beautifully tackled by Mortlock. So far tlie visitors had had the territorial advantage, but .had shown up attacking form that had disturbed Canterbury. As soon as Canterburygot within striking distance again. King staged a. great rush which was held up a few yards from the line,, but Mullan secured from a scrum, jiukecl past two men, and King 'was handed again to snap up- and go over for a' good try in a handy position. Freuch j gbaled'and .the score’ wasV' Canterbury i 5, Bailor 0. '

A mis-kiek by Greer gave Canterbury a chance, and llehl just managed to force after a good sprint by Punshea and Howell. The energy of the Buller forwards in following up short kicks and seizing opportunities in. the loose caused Canterbury many hectic moments, and playwas taken right to the Canterbury line. Over-eagerness spoiled the efforts or the Buller men, and off-side play in a set scrum let French clear with a nice kick. ’ Buller were playing the forward game with daslv and skill, the backs kicking accurately, keeping their vanguard on the offensive. So far play had been rather scrambling ,and had produced little of a spectaculiar nature, the only real smart work being that of Canterbury o)i defence. Another rush to Dunshea’s wing took play into Buller territory before the winger’s in-pass was intercepted for Buller to clear.

Half-time came without any alteration to th.e score. Play had been scrappy and combined offensive movements were notable for their absence. Canterbury were on the defensive for the greater part of the spell, but the impression to be gained was that they had the situation well in. hand. The half-time score: Canterbury 5, Buller 0.

THE SECOND SPELL. Solid defence held rip the first attacking rush staged by Canterbury following the change over, and Hill kept Buller well on the attack with two well-judged line kicks. An infringement stopped a good rush in which Hill and Caldwell threatened Canterbury. Canterbury’s next try came after Manchester broke away brilliantly and picked t\p to run into a good position before sending in-field to Hazelhurst. The five-eighth ran well and timed his pass exactly to give Andrews a clear run in underneath the posts. Hill whs injured in attempting to stop the rush, but resumed straight away. French goalee!,' :and the score was: Canterbury 10, Buller 0. On the few occasions that the ball came to the Canterbury backs there always seemed some hitch to prevent them getting under way. Certainly the Buller forwards were workng well in the tight, and coming round fast when the hooking went against them. The game w!as decidedly dull and the bankers exhorted Canterbury to wake up. When Buller next secured, Lamont made ground with a short kick, which was immediately repelled when ITazelhurst found the line just short of half-way. Lamont and Connelly staged a blind-side attack which took good tackling Id stow, and again Canterbury were penned in their own twenty-five. The defence held good and the Buller backs did not get far when the hall clime out on their side..

Hazollrarst took a pass from a forward, ducked away for a" sprint down the blind side, and sent out to Dunshea. The .winger ran twenty yards down the side-line before sending infield to Bowes, who revealed an unsuspected. turn of speed to Score a bright try at- the corner. French’s kick failed.' Canterbury 13, Buller 0. Holder, llobertsoii and McNeight led' a' loose rush which made Canterbury force down. Shortly afterwards Holder missed narrowly with a pot iat a field goal. 1 Mullan, Hazel hurst, Hart and King united in a blind side rush which took the ball to the Buller line before Greer secured and found touch. A free kick gave Bailor a chance to clear, hut French fielded • cleanly and drove a long line kick back to the visitors’ twenty-five, Canterbury were in grave danger when Connelly intercepted a pass, and sprinted down the right wing before sending-infield to Stewart.- The movement broke down, but Canterbury were penalised for off-side play and Holder opened Buller’s account with an easy penalty..goal. Canterbury 13, Buller 3.

There was a singular lack of polish for a side holding the Ranfurly Shield, but Buller themselves had not the ability to take advantage of lapses and press 'advantages home. When next Buller tried to' get their backs away, Oliver intercepted and broke away brilliantly to send Hart and King away in a loose rush which went within ten yards of the Buller line Before a knockon spoilt the attack.

The game continued scramblingly of the tyoe most disappointing for a Ranfurly Shield match. Canterbury i could not get the ball cleanly awlay, and Buller could not do anything with it when they got it- , . .. ~ A collision between French and Lament caused both to lie injured on the field, but the ball had gone out of play, arid time Was called with the score: Canterbury 13, Buller 3. Referee Mr E. Empson.