THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 88, 18 August 1913, Page 7

THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

TARANAKi BEATS AUCKLAND. A SENSATIONAL GAME. Some doubt was expressed in Stratford on Saturday evening when it began to be whispered, 1 hat Taranaki lad beaten Auckland in the match a! Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield, but ivhni the news was indisputably veriIkd by Evening Post "extra" there l was naturally considerable jubilation. The teams originally picked lined out, O'Leary leading Auckland and M'Leod, Taranaki. Taranaki had advantage of the wind in the opening spell. Cunnigham kicked oft', and within four minutes the first score was notched alter even play, in which the backs on both sides essayed passing rushes. The Taranaki forwards secured the tipper hand, and in his opponents 1 twenty-five Brown secured and kicked .high, Roberts followed up fast, and, beating O'Leary, downed the ball amidst terrific applause. Stohr'a kick went wide. Taranaki ... ... ... 8 Auckland 0 The Taranaki forwards, all working hard, again had Auckland defeuding, and O'Leary saved repeatedly by lining. Now Stohr had to retire owing to an injury, and Taranaki played for a few minutes with a man short. His absence was at once felt, as the Auckland pack attacked determinedly and O'Leary had a shot at goal which fell nhort. Back came the northern tigers, headed by Bruce and Downing, mid opening up the game, Geddes got over, but was called back as he had n;one into touch. A moment later, however, the same player streaked across on the other wing unopposed, as Stohr, who was waiting to see if lie would be fit to return, had not been replaced. O'Leary goaled. Auckland ... ... ... 5 Taranaki ... ... ... 3

Stohr attempted to resume, but had to give place to Meuli, who went fullback, Hill coming to wing-three-quarter. The reverse roused Taranaki and the forwards set up an invincible rush and carried play close to the goal line, where Hill gathered up, and though surrounded, took a sudden pat which only missed by inches, a poscer resulting. Gradually Auckland cleared their lines, but back came the Ambers, and here Stohr was missed, r.s on two. occasions free-kicks were awarded them, but neither Tamu nor .Roberts could goal, forces.resulting. Good lining by Loveridge saw rarar.nki again attacking, .but a long kick, misjudged by Meuli, let Auckland past hall-way. Taylor herb intercepted a pass*, and 'being welt 'supported, carired play over the line, Stewart just forcing; in time. Tarauaki still kept the blues penned,'and Stewart was again, compelled, to (force. Indeed, so strenuous dwas thei attack in which the whole team, both fore and aft, participated, thate within three minutes Auckland were forced as many times. The concluding moments of the first spell were very fast, play being up and down the field, but a passing rush between. Brown, Camcron, Roberts and Hill .'saw the lattei following up fast,, .'.by;, the. hall roll: ed into touch, and the spell ended Ata kancl , ...- a ""'■... *•' .'.'.-"■ o Taranaki 3 The second spell opened sensational-' ly. With the assistance, of the wind Auckland were expected to have much j the liast of affairs, but the earh stages: proved the reverse. An interchange of kicks ended with play in midtk-id. Loveridge secured and kicked high. O'Leary mis-kicked and Loveridge, who streaked across the field, (secured the ball before it went into touch and dived across. Roberts 1 kick at goal wa« a magnificent effort. but failed. Taranaki ... ... .... 6 Auckland 5 Bad handling by O'Leary and Stewart nearly saw Ward over, and serum after scrum ensued right at Auckland's line. Taranaki were not to be denied, however, and, keeping up the pressure, from a forward scramble Dewar added an additional three points. Roberts again failed to goal. Taranaki 9 Auckland ... ... ... 5 Taranaki's hopes were now bright, and their forwards, playing with great dash, kept the shield-holders busy, but over-anxiety spoilt matters, and free-kicks brought welcome reilef, play removing to halt-way. Auckland, nov. seeing the shield slipping from their tenacious grasp, roused their supportters to intense enthusiasm with then traditional northern bull-dog rushes, while at times their speedy wingers. McGregor and Macky, made electric dashes, but the defence was sound. Brown, Loveridge and Co. proving a; good at defence as in attack. A feebh line kick by Meuli had. Auckland attacking. Downing securing, shot ac ross to Webb, who cut in and the bal travelled via Weston and Geddes t< McGregor, who downed the ball just as lie was thrown into touch by Meuli. O'Lcrry made a good attempt to gaol. Taranaki 0 Auckland 8

Willi twenty minutes to goj Auckland made strenuous efforts to add the winning try, and urged on by their barraekers, the backs throw the hall nbaui in great >tyle, Greddes being lip-.-iul 'd hy Roberts and Stewart bj M'Lord in the nick of time, the ball fell into safety. Cunningham and ('.). fame .with a great rush and swept IJrowii out (il their path like straw, bul Roberts stemmed the tide. The b.icks took a hand, and sonic fine :]>:. i.;:oular play ensued. All the Am.kl.Hid vanguard took a hand in a pa: -ii ■; manoeuvre that ended by Mc(i:''j'.f( ; being thrown into touch at the (■:::ie. : moment by C>. Loveridge, and like ;■ Hash, the northerners worked the oi'.ier wine;, and smart passing and cuttij ' in by Stewart saw Weston

score a try, and Auckland nearly went mad. O'Leary failed to goal. Auckland ... ... ... 11 Taranaki ... ... ... 9 With but fifteen minutes to go Auckland supporters were frantically jubilant and confidently expected the Ambers to go to pieces, but Taranaki men played gamely and a line kick of about fifty yards by Hill set them moving again. Brown, Roberts, Cameron, McLeod and Loveridge handled the ball with machine-like precision, and the latter, when blocked, kicked the ball, it going into touch. The barracking of the crowd prevented him from hearing the full-back, Meuli, who was close in attendance, with a clear run in, call for the ball. Gradually the time slipped away, and, Taranaki's prospects of success looked gloomy, particularly as Auckland were holding their 1 own, O'Leary having shots at goal on every possible occasion. With four minutes to go' Taranaki made a determined effort, and the most sensational incident of a sensational game ensued. From just outside his own tweny-five Brown picked tip and made a great opening. Roberts, Cameron, McLeod and Hill all received, and transferred with great judgment. The latter streaked for the line, and when blocked kicked infield. Dewar secured and shot across to Roberts, who put the finishing touches to an electrifying movement by scoring, and Hawkins goaled. Then there was rejoicing in the Taranaki quarters, for the score read Taranaki ... ... ••■ 1-1 Auckland 11 Auckland tried hard to avert defeat in the closing moments, but Taranaki more than held their own, and time was called without any further score. Mr E. McKen/.ie (Wairarapa) gave satisfaction as referee, and Messrs Nicholson and Mynott were line umpires. The Taranaki team was entertained at dinner in the evening by the Auckland Rugby Union, and they will return to Taranaki by steamer on Tuesday morning. The unanimous opinion in Auckland after the match (states the "News" representative) was that the better team on the clay won.

CANTERBURY BEATS OTACO. [Per Press Association*.! Dunedin, August 16. Otago played its first interprovincial Rugby match of the season to-day, when it met Canterbury, the game resulting in a win for the visitors by six points to three. The heavy rain of the past few days had made most of tlio grounds unplayable, and the game was played at Tahuna Park, which was very rough, but fairly dry. Canterbury were the better team on the day, and deserved their wirt. Their hacks handled the greasy hall with greater surety, and their torwards played with more vigor and dash than the Otago men. Canterbury's six points were/from two goals by Hasell, both from marks by Amodeo, the visiting scrum half, while Harris scored an unconverted try for Otago. The University wing-three-quarter picked ii|> in the hxi.se. and dashed over at the corner. There were three thousand people present.