RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 13 September 1927, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Wellington Defeat Shield Holders BACK DIVISION OUTCLASSES CANTERBURY'S. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Wellington yesterday defeated Canterbury, the Ranfurly Shield holders at Athletic Park in the Presence of about 18,000 people by 20 points to 17 after a brilliant exhibition of Rugby. The score at halftime was 15 points to 9 in Wellington's favour. Wellington were th e better team on the day 'especially their back division.; Kilby (the Wellington half) quite’ outshone Dailey who was too slow in; getting the ball away and then ways not to the best advantage.: Kilby’s passes to Johnson were always': accurate and crisp allowing every;: chance for the backs to get going. ,• Wellington’s passing movements al-'

ways gained ground while Canter-

' bury’s merely took the ball straight across the field. While Dailey seemed lethargic, Kilby was all keyed up. tic was splendid both in defence and »n attack.

Steele (the Canterbury left winger)

was given no chances and was badly beaten by South and Rushbrook when each of them scored, the former’s try being especially brilliant. In justice both to Steele and Robilliard (the right wing) it must be said the passing of their colleagues crowded them on the side liner

with no room to manoeuvre. .Canter-

bury scored first, Robilliard outpacing Svcnson, who played brilliantly throughout and passing to Pickering rather than trying- to evade Grenfell, allowing Pickering to cross well out. Grenfell was taking Malcolm’s place at full back and gave a much more satisfactory performance. He showed up better than did Harris (Canterbury full back) maintaining his position better so that he was seldom beaten by man or ball as Harris generally was. Harris played better 'n the second half. Wellington evened up from a score by Jack Shearer from concerted forward play. South then with a bril-

liant swerving run put Wellington three points ahead.

The Wellington hookers were getting the ball more often from-, the scrums and Pringle, Wellington’s long forward, was proving invaluable to Kilby in th e line-outs. Rushbrook raised Wellington’s score to 9 when he crossed wide out after receiving from Kilby. Wellington’s next points were Obtained from a penalty kick by Nieholls from in front of the Canterbury goal. Both Carleton and Steele failed with penalty kicks from possible positions.

Wellington forced and Dailey mulled the drop out. Th e Wellington forwards broke away to end with

Emerson scoring. Brilliant passing by Dailey, McGregor, Carleton and Robilliard saw the latter soundly tackled a few feet from the lin e by South. Off-side play gav e Carleton two penalty kicks at goal each of which succeeded. Tho spell ended Wellington 15—Canterbury 9. .

In tire first ten minutes of the second spell Carleton missed an easy penalty and Steele knocked on when within a few yards of scoring. Robilliard was twice up-ended by Svanson almost within reach of the line. Canterbury backs and forwards were now . playing with more vim. Wellington temporarily cleared but Canterbury came back and Gray scored, Dailey converting. Prom a scrum Kilby sent to Johnson to Nicholls to Rushbrook to Shearer who scored between the posts. Nicholls goaled Wellington 20, Canterbury 14. • Wellington were now having much tho better of the pay but the Canterbury tackling was sound. Canterbury broke clear and were awarded a penalty in Wellingtons’ ’25 Carleton goaling. The match 'ended without further score. Wellington . . .. .20 Canterbury 17 .

Auckland’s Unbeaten Record Jeopardised UNBEATEN FOR SEASON. AUCKLAND, Sept. 10. The Auckland Rugby‘ representatives maintained their undefeated record for the season by defeating today Otago on a heavy ground by 11 points to 9 in a great forward struggle, both sides being well matched. Rain fell frequently and the ground beeam e very muddy. Scorers for Auckland were Hook, Keene and Cathcart, one of which was converted by Berridge. For Otago tries were scored by Mitchell, Stewart and Webb.