Notes of the Day

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3407, 11 August 1913, Page 4

Notes of the Day

THE RUGBY REVERSE AT AUCKLAND.

Once again have the Rugby football champions of this district entered the lists to have a tilt for the Ranfurly Shield —the blue riband of supremacy at the national game in the Dominion—and once again unhappily have they failed. For months past the chosen of Poverty Ray have been training hard to fit themselves for the clash with the holders, the redoubtable men of Auckland, who have for up-; wards of ten years held possession of the coveted trophy, and defeated all apd sundry challengers from far Southland to sturdy Taranaki. It was with hope burning high that the Poverty Bay team boarded the s.s. Tarawera on Wednesday last, and over since their departure until the time of the match hundreds of enthusiasts in this district were hoping that the chosen of Gisborne might in doing what no other team in New .Zealand has accomplished in recent Auckland on her own ground for the Shield. The Poverty Bay team were reported to be the best which had ever represented the district. No little excitement prevailed on Saturday as the of the game was awaited. The record at the end of the first spell—ll to 3 in favor of Auckland, was not reassuring. Then the final result was awaited much as the good people of Edinburgh waited to hear the result of that bitter “set-to” on Flodden Field. When the telegraph boys conveying the mesages announcing the final result appeared on Saturday afternoon, they were as eagerly questioned as was Randolph Murray, after Flodden. “Speak, though it he of overthrow; iiftcannot be disgrace !” But the dire Tale of disaster full and complete which- the Captain of the City Band had to gasp out as he staggered up the streets of Edinburgh was no worse than the tidings which came from Auckland on Saturday afternoon. Twenty-seven points to 3 leaves _ no room for doubt. It was conclusive, crushing, decisive. The telegraphed report from our speciabcorrcspondont states that the Gisborne forwards held their own well against the redoubtable Auckland pack. This is passing strange, as those responsible for the team before leaving had declared that the forwards were the weakness, and if they could only hold their own Poverty Bay would romp home. Yet the reverse appears to have been the ease. The backs were very feeble and unreliable. The only men who did well were Ryland and Rukingi, and no doubt the traininm they received on tour with the Maori team in Australia stood them in good stead. Kaipara, the indiarubber man, failed to dazzle .either the spectators or his opponents at

Potter’s paddoc.-* on Saturday. A weakness in the team was undoubtedly the defence. Two' many brilliant scoring men were included, who might with advantage have been sacrificed to perhaps less brilliant men in attack, who could have taken a hand in keeping the enemy out. It is ; however, easy to bo Aviso after the event; but one thing is certain —that if Poverty Bay intends to persevere with its crusade to bring the Ranfurly Shield to Gisborne the whole method of training will have jo be reviewed. In light of the crushing reverse sustained by Po\ r erty Bay on Saturday, it is a modt point Avhether Rugby football is as strong in this district to-day as it Avas, say, 18 years ago, when the district Avas represented by men Avho Avorked more in the open air than do the men of to-day. Perhaps its Avould be as avoll to take a lesson from the past, and have a look round for hardy countrymen, who arc at all times fit as a result or their strenuous callings, and who would re A' el in the rough and tumble of defence. Auckland has to be congratulated on so handsomely asserting her right to the Shield, and the lesson they must have given our men on Saturday should have been Avorth going all the Avay to the northern capital to receive.