RANFURLY SHIELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1939, Page 11

RANFURLY SHIELD

SOUTHLAND DEFEAT BUSH. THIRTY-EIGHT POINTS TO NIL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL. August IG. Southland still has the Ranfurly Shield. On a ground, part of which was a quagmire as a result of the thaw of four inches of snow followed by heavy rain throughout yesterday. Southland today beat Bush 38-0. Southland’s line is thus still intact after three challenges, but Bush were nearer scoring than were either Otago or Manawatu. Most of the play was with the forwards. but it is remarkable that, of Southland's 10 tries, four of which were converted, only two were scored by forwards. Saxton was again the genius of the game, and the rest of the team carried out his instructions as well as the greasy ball and heavy ground would allow. Bush tried valiantly to score, but their backs lacked speed. However, even with nearly 40 points against them the forwards worked like Trojans, led by Mahoney and Thomas, and were nearer scoring at the end than earlier in the game. Southland’s defence, however, was as brilliant as its attack. Southland forwards had control of the ball almost throughout the game and hunted with a determination which gave the Bush backs no chance to get going. Only twice did the ball get as far as Elliott, Bush centre. THIRTEEN TO NINE. OTAGO TOO GOOD FOR . MANAWATU. DUNEDIN. August 16. In a keenly-contested match, marked by hard forward play, Otago today beat Manawatu, 13-9, before a crowd of 4000. The visiting pack showed great vim and dash and considerably mor§ than held their own. but this advantage was offset by the brilliance of the Otago backs, notably Trevathan, Mitchell and Perriam, who were always dangerous, once a i tendency to mishandle was overcome. Trevathan made two dazzling cuts through early in the game, and Mitchell and Perriam. showing fine understanding, also found holes in the defence. The Manawatu backs, apart from Parris, behind the scrum, lacked penetration and, better served in this respect, the visitors must have gone close to success. HIGH SCHOOL MATCH. WAITAKI DEFEAT KING'S. OAMARU, August 16. Waitaki Boys’ High School had an overwhelming victory over King’s High School (Dunedin), 35-8. Waitaki took scrums for lineouts and secured possession with monotonous regularity. The half-time score was 12-3. The defence faded away in the final stages, for Waitaki to add 13 points in the last 10 minutes. POLICE PREVAIL. WELLINGTON, This Day. The annual charity Rugby match between the Police and Post and Telegraph Departments attracted a fair-sized crowd to Athletic Park yesterday afternoon. Though the threatening weather affected the attendance, the stand .was three^par.ts-filled, and those present enjoyed an interesting game, in which the Police fifteen prevailed by 23 points to 15. showing superiority in all departments.