The Ranfurly Shield

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 33, 29 June 1914, Page 7

The Ranfurly Shield

FIRST CHALLENGE MATCH. HOLDERS WIN COMFORTABLY. TARANAKI 17, WANGANUI 3.

On Saturday, Taranaki were called up,on to defend for the first time the Ranfurly Shield, which was so brilliantly annexed from Auckland last season. Wanganui were the challengers, and on the strength of their great performance at Wanganui on June 3 against the shield-holders, wuo could only win by the narrow margin of a point (three penalty goals to two tries, one converted), after a game in which the losers had all the better of the play, were fairly confident of removing the coveted trophy to the river city. Their prospects were enhanced, too, on Saturday morning, when it became known that Taranaki would have to do without the services of their three New Zealand representatives, viz., Roberts, Loveridge and Cain, who for various reasons were unable to take part. I The result of the match proved that the issue was never in doubt, for, though Wanganui were represented 'by i lieir strongest fifteen, they were beaten right through, save for a few momentß after the commencement of the second spell, when they scored their try. The Taranaki forwards played a great game, and beat their opponents both in the scrum and in the loose. They had all the better of the first spell, in which they played two wing-forwards, but though Wanganui on only two occasions were able to invade Taranaki's twenty-five, their defence was sound, and the locals were only able to score six joints—a try and a goal from a mark, the second spell proved much faster, and after Wanganui had attacked for a few moments, during which time they scored their only try, Taranaki again secured the upper hand, and maintained it practically through the piece. Their forwards set up some rousing rushes, and their backs executed some fine passing bouts, especially after Colman had moved to five-eighth, and it speaks well for the visitors' defence that only eleven points were scored, viz., two tries (one cottverted) 'and a penalty goal, Taranaki thus winning the match and retaining the sliield by 17 points to 3. The teams were as follow:—

TARAXAKI (Amher and Black),. Stohr Young C. Whittingtom Meuli Cameron Brown Colman Taylor Whittington, Patterson Young Smith Robertson Dewar, Birchall. WANGANUT (Blue and Black). Lockett Temperton F. Meuli R. Collier E. Campion, F. Collier C. Swann. Smith R. Batley A. Takarangi R. Leahy, O'Donncll, T. Leahy J. Collier, H. Collier.

Wanganui won the toss and elected to kick 'with the .sun at their 'hacks. Meuli failed to take the ball from the kick-off, and Taranaki were hotly attacking. Whittington failing to take a pass, ended a back manoeuvre. From the scram, Taranaki secured, and Birchall marking, Stohr had a kick from near the side line, but it went wide and was forced. A moment later, Wanganui were again forced, through Young attempting to pit. A Wanganui man was in front at the kick-off, and the ball was called back. From the scrum Smith (Wanganui,) broke away. Stohr failed to take the ball cleanly, but recovered himself nicely, and lined at the cornel - . Taranaki continued to press, and Cameron spoilt a passing attack by hanging on. Collier and Leahy broke away for the blues, but Brown picked the ball up at their feet, and cut in. A clever piece of work by Lockett drove play to midfield, but Stohr was taking and lining well, and Wanganui were again defending. A clever mark by Collier brought relief. Failure toy Cameron to pick up the ball let Smith and Takarangi away. The yellows, headed by Colman and Patterson, were •soon 'back to the attack, and another force resulted. Interchanges of kicks Ibetwcen Young and Meuli saw the former gain the advantage. Smith made an opening for Wanganui, and Swann, iCollicr and Campion started passing, but •Whittington intercepted and set the yellows attacking, i'rom a scrum near Wanganui's line, Brown secured, and the hall travelled to Cameron to Meuli, who knocked on within a yard of the line. Cameron and Colman were nearly over, ,but a rebound allowed the ball to reach •jthe dead-ball line. From the kick-off, Whittington and Colman hroke away. A ecrum ensued for obstruction on the line, 'and Wanganui agiiin forced. Taranaki backs fumbled the ball, and allowed Swann to get up, but he could noj; gather up the ball. Play now hung at Taranaki's side of midfield. Here Whittington made a great opening, and S. Cameron and Meuli following up, the latter secured and streaked. He fell when near the line, but passed to Whittington, who was collared. Lockett saved by kicking to midfield, where the Iblue backs followed up and started passing. Meuli ended it, however, by a 'pass forward. Smith then headed a great Taranaki rush, in which everyone of the yellow front rank took pipt, F. Meuli being injured in stemming it, and the hall went out at the corner. C. Dustin, filled the vacancy, going fullback,'and Lockett taking centre threequarters. Taranaki secured from the ecrum, and Brown passed to Whittington, to Young, who was collared near tne line. Takarangi and Leahy cleared, but a heady rush with Taylor in the lead looked dangerous, until R. Collier saved by liniifgj ' Cameron here made a great opening, but hung on too long, and a ehance went. Young, too, failed to gather a difficult hall from a speculator when he had a clear run, and the ball found touch. Taranaki still pressed, Dewar and Patterson making great dashes. Wanganui were, however, alile to keep their citadel intact until Meuli •marked in the corner, an'd Stohr landed a beautiful goal, after about 25 minutes' piay L '

Taranaki 3 Wanganui 0 Lino kicks W R. Collier anil F- Col.lier saw Wanganui at past half-way, where Swann secured and passed to Campion to F. Collier, who passed wide, A high kick smartly followed up by Young saw Taranaki again attacking. A rebound, however, saw the Leahy 'brothers come through, but Whittington put in a great kick, lining at the corner, and from a scramble following the lineout Taylor threw himself over the line, Stohr making a great attempt to goal. After about 33 minutes' play, the score was— Taranaki <• Wanganui Q

Almost immediately Wanganui was forced as the result of a centering kick by Colman, smartly followed up by Young. Dustin failed to take the ball, tout Swann dropped on it in time. Rob-

ertaon was again nearly over, 'kit another force ensued. Brown failed to take a mark in a handy position, and Takarangi, Leahy and O'Donnell, with a gtrong rush, carried play past mid-field, but Smith set up a counter-dash. Young hfre failed to take a pass from Brown, and Campion secured and darted for the line, but was up-ended before he had gone far. Off-side play put an end to a promising yellow dash, and from a long kick by Temperton, Wanganui got into Taranaki's twenty-five. Play did not remain there long, as the yellow forwards cleared, and Brown passed to Cameron, to Whittington, but the latter passed high to Meuli, and a knock-on ensued. Here R. Collier secured, and Stohr fumbling, the ball went out close to Taranaki's line. Taranaki quickly cleared their line, and Whittington and Stohr kicking well, play was again at mid field, when the half-time whistle sounded, with the score — Taranaki g Wanganui Q

Wanganui had the glare of the sun badly in their eyes. Cameron slipped on taking the ball from the kick-off, and Wanganui set up a warm attack, with T. Leahy and Takarangi in the van, and Taranaki were forced. From the kickoff, Wanganui came again, and a forward passing rush between O'Donnell, Leahy and Smith saw the last-named score a nice try, within three minutes of resuming. Lockett failed to convert. Taranaki 0 Wanganui 3

This heartened the challengers, and they attacked strongly. . Interchange of kicks between Whittington and Lockett saw the ball out right at the corner. Here Swann made a desperate attempt to force his way over, but was held up. Matters continued sultry for the shieldholders, until Brown, with a powerful kick, lifted the ball to touch past halfway. Brown started his backs moving. The 'ball came out to Young, who was promptly up-ended. R. Col)ier came awav at the head of a powerful blue rush, but Brown picked up and lined. Tavanaki were now getting into their stride again, and Taylor and Co; carried play to Wanganui's twenty-five, where Brown made an opening. Off-Bide play by the blues gave Stohr a shot, which fell short. Temperton failed to cope with a strong forward rush, and i kicked weakly. Meuli obtained pos- [ session and centred, and the yellows tried hard to score, Whittington, Young and Cameron diving for the line, but they were all collared, and the blues fcleared. Brown got his backs going again, and the ball .came out to Meuli, via Cameron and Whittington, thp ,Waimate flier streaked for the line, but collared, and no one was handy. From the resultant play Dewar made a great break, and being collared off-side, Stohr had another shot, which went straight and true over the bar, after twelve minutes' play. Taranaki ft Wanganui 3

A well-judged kick by Campion found touch near Taranaki's line, and the blues set up a passing rush, until Campion dropped the ball. Wanganui kept up the pressure, but Stohr and Young drove them back with long line kicks and cleared their, line for a while. Cameron was caught with the 'ball in front Of the yellows' goal, and things looked black until Dewar, Robertson, Young, Patterson, Smith and Co., with a sweeping rush, carried play right to Wanganui'a 25, where Taranaki were awarded a free kick, and Stohr had a no-charge kick, which just went wide, and was' forced. Temperton was collared with the ball by Taylor, and from the scrum E. Leahy and Smith (broke away. From the following scrum Taranaki set up a great bout of passing, the ball travelling from Brown to Cameron, to Wliittington, who cut in and then shot out to Young. The Stratford flier sailed for the corner, but was collared by j'.Lockett. From the throw-in the blues cleared, but Stohr drove them back with a long line kick. The blues were not done yet, and set up a passing mh, which was aided by Stohr passing forward. Campion put in a great dash and passed to F. Collier, who centred. 'R. Collier here dropped a pass, and a likely score went begging. Like a flash j the yellow forwards came down the field, and Taylor dived over the line under the goal, amid a crowd of blue jerseys, a force being awarded. Young followed up strongly after returning the kickoff, and got to Collier, but no one was with him, and Loekett was aiblc to re- 1 lieve. Meuli, Dewar, Young (Waimate), and Taylor hammered strongly at the Wanganui goal line, but a five-yards scrum ensued, and Brown shot the ball across to Young (Stratford), who was well collared by Swann, and was temporarily disabled, and had to retire. Colman here went back to five-eighth. Tempertoif passed to Campion, who kicked past midfield, but the yellow forwards carried play right back to the line, where a scrum followed. Brown passed to Meuli, who was well blocked. Campion hurriedly kicked across to Stohr, who cut in strongly and beat several men "before he was collared. From the scrum Brown passed to Colman, who cut in powerfully, and running round scored under the posts. Stohr goaled. Taranaki 14 Wanganui 3

The Shield now looked safe to remain in Taranaki. On resuming, Dewar and Co. Tushcd in great style. Wanganui set up a counter-attack , headed by Leahy brothers, but Colman cheeked it and dived through tiic pack. Young licre eame, on again. The referee cautioned one of the Wanganui players for rough play. Brown was temporarily disabled. Off-side play uv the blues saw Taranaki take a scrum near their line, but the [ blues cleared. Another great piece of passing between Smith, Brown, Colman, Cameron, Whittington and Meuli, saw the last-named pushed out at the corner. From the throw-in Wanganui got a .free kick, and Campion and R. Collier badly fooled their opponents, carrying play to the yellows' twenty-five. Young (Waimate) here made an electric rush from past half-way. He kicked when he came to the full-back, 'but was beaten ■by the bounce in diving for the hall. Taylor and Smith (Wanganui) touched the ball almost simultaneously, but the visitor was held to he there a shade ,ahead, and a force was awarded. Taranaki now set lip another electric passing dash from mid-field, the ball travelling 'beautifully from Brown to Oolm&n, to Cameron, to Whittington, who sailed .for the line, with Meuli in attendance. He outpaced the full-back and scored in the corner. Stohr's attempt to goal was good, but resiiltless. Taranaki 17 Wanganui 3

Taranaki were now having all the letter of the game, and opened out passing bouts, but tint collaring was good, and Collier kicked down field. Stohr now iattempted to pot. The ball fell short, and he followed up and smothered Lockett. Cameron was in attendance, but Dustin forced. Young next made a dive for the line, tat was up-ended. Taranaki kept up the pressure, and were attacking as the final whistle sounded. Mr. W. J. Meredith referced satisfactorily.