The Ranfurly Shield

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 72, 14 August 1914, Page 7

The Ranfurly Shield

ANOTHER CHALLENGE STALLED OFF. WAIRARAPA SOUNDLY DEFEATED. Taranaki had no difficulty yesterday in staving oft' the third challenge for the Runfurly Shield this season, when they defeated Wairarapa by a consider- ' able margin. It was" generally anlieii paled that Taranaki would have their | u oi'k cut out to defeat the visitors,, but i the local team .evidently recognised that I they were up against it, and infused [ great dash into their work. The Wairarapa forwards were good, but the local ones were better, whilst the Taranaki rearguard's .manipulation of the greasy leather on a treacherous turf was a treat to witness, and some excellent passing bouts were the result. Save for about a quarter of an hour at the opening of the second spell, when the visitors attacked hotly, the issue was never in doubt. The war and the weather evidently militated against the attendance, whicfh was under a thousand. The day was not an ideal one, even for football, the first spell being punctuated by rain, whilst the ground was very greasy. The Taranaki team played as selected, whilst the Wairarapa team consisted of: Masson, Redmond, Tait, Metson, BlacKmore, Groobe, Wickins, Brough, Johnson (2), McKenzie, Ross, Hodge, Desmond and Morris. Wickins returned Young's kick-off to midfield, and from the line-out Brough broke away and carried play to the locals' twenty-five, where Column intercepted. A scrum ensued, and, Rowlands getting off-side, McKenzie had a shot from near half-way, but the kick ."ell .short. Stohr lined downfield. Taranaki .backs passed too slowly, and Metson was able to clear, Cobnan hurriedly lining. Young came down the line and was nearly over, but missed the greasy ball. A little later the same -player essayed a pot. Wairarapa forced, j Desmond, Ross and McKenzie broke I away from the kick-off, but Cameron j checked them. Brown passed to Colman, to Young, who badly beat Tait. I Masson, the full-back, slipped when al- ' tempting a tackle, and Young scored | under the posts. Stohr's kick failed. ! With only five minutes gone; the score [read: I Taranaki 3 Wairarapa 0 I Taranaki still attacked, and a passing movement ended in Whjttington trying to find touch at the corner, but the ball went to touch in goal. Hodge, McKenzie, Brough and Desmond got movI ing. The slippery ground militated, against the efforts of the local backs to stem the tide, and matters looked dangerous, until McCook broke through and lined near the twenty-five. The Wairarapa backs now passed. Wickins, Groobe, Blackmore and Tait handling smartly. Tfie green vanguard gradually gained the. upper hand, but Colmau checked them gamely, and after an effective bout of green passing, good footwork by 'Taylor removed play to past midfield. The yellows worked play to the twenty-live, where from a line-out Patterson secured and battled-his wiy through the opposition, carrying the full-back over the line and scoring. Stohr goaled, and after 25 minutes the score read: Taranaki s Wairarapa 0 A tricky run by Young had Taranaki again attacking, but Redmond relieved by running round. Play was now verv fast. A long kick'by Aung had the greens on the defensive, until Wickins neatly marked. Taranaki cleared a scrum, and a beautiful line kick by Stohr had play at tlhe visitors' hventy"fivc. A dash by Brough, and the ball was removed to midfield. The visiting backs were not too sure in finding the line, in marked contrast to the local backs, especially Stohr, who was in great form. The greens again opened out among their backs, but C. Whittington cut in and lined near the corner. An infringement spoilt a solid Taranaki dash, but the yellows could not he denied, and, Dejvar opening out, Colnian, Cameron and Young handled, the latter scoring. Stohr's kick went wide. Taranaki 11 Wairarapa 0 The yellows were at it immediateiv. and a passing .rush saw Young collared by/Mctson. McCook and Young led the forwards to the fray, but Wickins and Blackmore each took smart marks and saved the situation. Wairarapa forced. Half-time ended with the ball in neutral territorv. The visiting forwards attacked on resuming, but C. Young kicked liigh, and, following up fast, smothered Masson. The greens came again. Redmond, showing great dash, was just held up at the corner by Whittington and Cameron. After a period of strenuous play Colman; Tavlor, MeCpok, Rowlands and Defifar cleared their lines, but the green backs threw the ball about and kept the locals busy, Wlhittington bringing welcome relief with a lucky mark. Taiylor removed play to neutral ground. Making more judicious use of the lino, the greens worked down field, and Stohr' had a busy time stemming the rushes, as the green forwards were all working like tigers. Blackmore passed the ball out from a loose rush, but Redmond missed, and a chance went. Taranaki kicked bcibind to save, and from the scrum Wickins passed to Blackmore, to Redmond, who made no mistake this time. McKenzie failed with the kick Wairarapa had all the better of the first twelve minutes, and the score read:

Taranaki n Wairarapa 3 Interchange of kicks gave Taranaki the advantage, but Brough, securing, streaked downlield from past ihalf-way. When collared, lie kicked, and Stohr forced. Groobc made trouble by setting his backs in motion, but Whittington lined, and the yellow vanguard rushed tho ball to near the visitors' line, where McKenzie marked. Dcwar marked >suon after and gave StoJu- a shot, which just failed, and was forced. A line kick by Blackmore, aided by the failure of Young to take the ball,"gained the greens considerable territory, but Wliittington (forward), gathering up, sailed for Hie line, with Taylor in attendance. He passed to the'winger, wflio was collared close to the goal. Offside play by Taylor spoilt the attack, but the greens made very little use of the penalty kick, and were forced twice Taranaki were now having their turn at attack, and Young (Waimale) inncle a desperate effort to score, but was collared. Ross came through on his own and carried play to midfichl. Solid Taranaki rushes were stopped liv clever marks liv Wickins, Blackmore and Kedtnond. The green forwards set up a rush with MeKenzie, Ross and llod-e in the van, but Stohr' a line kicks ,„,,'• too sohd. From a .scrum the ball came to loung, who cut down the line and kicked to past midfteld. Taylor anil Co. were away, ball at toe, but Wickins wont down to it. McKenzie. Desmond and confreres headed a counter-rush but Brown checked it. Play was „ow will- | m<;, both teams striving hard. Brown |Colman and Cameron staited passing but Groo'be broke away. TOien ensued the most sensational'incident of the

I day. Whittington appeared to be smothered by two or three of the visiting backs, when be ducked and beat them, and from half-way streaked -down the side-line. He ran away from'Redmond and s'liook off the full-back, and two others, scoring in a good position, and Stolir goalcd. Taranaki K; Wairarapa 3 j Hardly was the ball in motion when the yellows were at work again, and I Column making a great opening, Cami eron, Taylor and Young handled grandly in turn, and the latter scored his third try. Stobr's Kick foil short. ' Taranaki 19 Wairarapa 3 I Witfti but a few minutes to go, the ] yellows wore having the better of the '■ game. Dewar foot-pasSed to Brown, I who banded to Colman, to Cameron, to I Young, and each doing Ms part in good style, Young scored his fourth try. Btohr's kick, from an awkward angle, fell short. Taranaki ...<.... 22 Wairarapa 3 The Wairarapa forwards had rushed play to midfield when play ceased. Mr. Meredith, of Wellington, refereed very satisfactorily. The Wellington Junior Mission Band was present and played several/selections, their performance being favorably commented on.