RANFURLY SHIELD

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20261, 2 August 1937, Page 13

RANFURLY SHIELD

WON BY SOUTHLAND. VICTORS' SOLID DEFENCE. (By Telegrapn.—press Association.) DUNEDIN, Saturday. (Over 30,000 people witnessed the first Ranfurly Shield match of the season between Otago and Southland at Garisbrook to-day, interest in the matoh being so great that the record for Shield games set last season, when the same teams met, w r as exceeded by about 2000. The first real thrill oame when Ruff, the Southland full-back, badly missed a high kick, and in an instant the Otago pack went away in full cry right to the line. A free kiok drove Otago back, and, keyed up to a high pitch, both sides made several mistakes in handling. Then Otago went away again, Simon rushing down the side-line. The forwards carried the assault to within 10 yards of the line, Quaid, Laney and Parkhill being the spearhead of the attack. When success appeared certain, however, Miles saved brilliantly. Southland’s baok defence was rocklike, and the forwards were not conceding anything. Territorially Otago had so far had the better of proceedings. The venue of the struggle changed dramatically when Mitchell, who earlier retired for a short period, oleverly kioked to the centre of the field and found Otago out,of position. Southland went within an ace of scoring, Thomas edging past Trevathan and Simon, but losing the ball. Superbly 0001, Taylor, Otago full-baok, who had amazed with several great saves, again came to the rescue. In one of Its characteristic dashes the Shield pack burst away from a handy position. Trevathan essayed a penalty kick which just shaved the posts. Mitchell’s leg Injury was evidently troubling him, and he was taken off, YVesney replacing him. Then the Southland backs flashed away, Purdue cutting the defenoe in half and sending to Henderson, who was flung out at the oorner. It was a close shave for Otago. After half an hour’s play there w’as no score. For the first time in ten minutes Otago rushed the hall to the other end as a result of a shrewd line-finder by Trevathan. The backs valiantly tried to pierce the Impregnable defence, and at last were successful, Vorrath making an eleotrlfying run with the ball at his feet to score a splendid individual try. Trevathan Just missed. Otago .. .. ..3 Southland .. .. 0 A moment later. Just before halftime, Otago were penalised for a sorum infringement and Wesney evened the scores with a perfect kick from ten yards inside the half-w’ay line. Otago .. *. .. 3 Southland rr- .. 3 There had really been nothing to enthuse about in the first session, the policy of “getting your man” robbing play of its spectacular sequences. Black figured in a corkscrew run before passing to Simon. From right in front Otago were awarded a penalty kick, but again Trevathan missed. Then came a real highlight of the matoh. Simon coolly gave a pass to Trevathan who adroitly landed one of the finest field goals ever seen at Carlsbrook. It was from 40 yards out and from an acute angle. O tago .. .. 7 Southland .. .. 3 Now lOtago W’as doing all the attacking. Murray nearly shot over from a sorum in front of Southland’s goal, but Thomas pulled him dowm. The Southland forwards charged away and Trevat.han’s clearing kick rebounded off Thomas. In a flash Miles picked up and hurtled through and sent to Wesney who went past Taylor for a dramatic try which he conY’erted amidst wild excitement. Southland .. . . 8 Otago .. . . .. 7 Thrill follow’ed) thrill w’hen Sutherland followed Trevathan’s example and kioked another beautiful field* goal from 40 yards out. Southland .. ..12 Otago . - .. . . 7 Southland now led with 20 minutes left. Otago became desperate. Green and Niven were associated in a loose rush that w’ent right to the line, but an infringement saved Southland. The visitors deserved to take: the shield as Otago lacked the driving punch of last season. Sound defence prevented Otago from breaking through. The final score was— Southland .. ..12 Otago .. .. . . 7