THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 27, 17 September 1920, Page 9

THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

XJTHLAND (17) v. WELLINGTON (61, (Iforoonl (Black).

rhe teams were: Southland: Backs: \wtl Holmes, O'Kane, Fortune, Stead, dell, Dalgleish- • Forwards : Miller, wbei'n, Agnew, Whyte, Cockroft, 'i'jth, McKenzia and Baird (winger). Mellington: Backs : Brook, O'Sullivan, M McCabe, M. Nicholls, Roberts, H. ^Llls. Forwards: Pearce, S. Shearer, ' Harkness, Wilson, Standen, ifthes, J. Shearer (winger). wind was south-east but dropped mewhat in the first spell when Maroons 'liXgd it, growing much stronger afterI iiiterval thus favouring Blacks. The Mund was ideal for either forwards or 4cs Conditions therefore were at sfc even and Southland won conclusively (^i the admiration of its public and to the Aishment of its opponents. The EmitL City team was regarded as the best Jthe Dominion, and they had well earnM the reputation ; but in Murihiku that asoned and victory-crowned side met asjth defeat from a team that gave is Umething it had not had for some time— iil forvvard play. The members oi the Lllington combination were the first to *Lit this, taking their loss of the Shield !:;]a true gportman's spirit. Severai things ; to the home victory: the dribbling, kling, bunching, following, condition Ifl grit of the forwards ; the tackling ■ jermination, and opportuneness of the :ks. These were the positive factors. , ue negative one were : tho lack of vig- ' r of the Wellington forwards, their inting and reliance on merely their ks,. and the failing of the Wellington ks to tackle — save for Roberts— or to down to rushes. To these might he ed the uniformity of their back attack( rything depending on Robert's jink. A ; e enthusiastic or impartial crowd never icssed a Rugby game, Wellington get- , perliaps, more applause than South1 for movements. This is to be ex- ; ned from the fact that passing in the h has more attractions to the ordinary Stator who does not readily pick the * kness in any system. Southland's pass16 1 is not spectacular, but it is deadly in :aa it, as proof of which note the home four tries — all from back efforts — i ^ he A;isitor's one try. A record crowd hessed the great game; so the S.R.F.U. 'Dfe be i'n funds for its ground improveKEit .scheme that must give the province •football area fitted to produce fast ks. The result of the game must be ■inently pleasing to the executive, the ectors, the players, the clubs the plays represent, the sub-unions, the vari"us enthusiasts who aided in the coaching f the teara, the writers who stirred up Jayers and public to the keenness of old mes, and to the kindly public, which ■ ves its footballers, its eides when they 'e triers, and the good old game of Rugby otball. Now, that the province it at ie pinnacle' of its fame, we must guard "ainst either giddiness or ' megalophobia. uth Canterbury, which seored 16 points .ainst Wellington when the latter were ssher— Wellington has had some thirteen jjlside games this season — has to he playnext Wednesday, and Otago must be in return on its owri naidden, and' ago has a very strong side; a side that dl be right out to beat the Shield hold- , thus to finish a good season gloriously. — The Wellington Backs. — This back division was about the best n down here this season — light, but last d nippy, quick to take advantage of an portunity, and always dangerous. Their acking formation allowed for great vari. of movement, and, had they se.eq. more the ball, they^ would doubtless" havo -'jvided sorne pretty displays, Their ef weakness was a decided disinclinan to go down to rushes, relymg rather fast, tricky passing on defence, and at . is they were adepts. But Southland were , 0 quick, and the Wellington defence t iisses were usually well smothered by the ijpat Maroon forwards. H. Nicholls bethe scrum rarely received a clean > but, nevertheless, he got tlxe ball ^ls scoop to Roberts was well )|1$B| seeinS. Roberts was very quick in ic and severai times was able to run ' ail(^ CU^ Hopdell completely, out e defence. Fortunately for South- ' le had no opportumty for exercisP°^ting skill. M. Nicholls, last j ir s Wellington College captain, pro- ^ some fine football, his cut-off in his n, ^e;inS an especially bright phece oi ' • 8 bandlin-g and kicking were of Jigh orSer, and he wih undoubtedly go ; ' i- ^an centre was unfortunate in. ^ wig 0 Kane, the latter's hard tacklea hLs Passea away. McCabe oulhvan were fast mean, but seemed # ll(8ht sMe. Brook at full took the well and did some extremely neat