RANFURLY SHIELD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 207, 2 August 1937, Page 9

RANFURLY SHIELD.

SOUTHLAND BEATS OTAGO. HARD-FOUGHT GAME. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Aug. 1. In a stirring game at Carisbrook. before an attendance of more than 30,000 spectators, Southland beat Otago in the first Ranfurly Shield match of the 1937 season, and on the run of play well deserved their victory by 12 points to 7. The winners’ points comprised a converted try, a penalty goal, and a field goal, while Otago’s total was made up of a try and a field goal. It was a dourly-contested game between two fine packs of forwards, who battled hard all day to gain supremacy. While there was Ji j»e between the packs, more concerted work in their efforts really paved the way for Southland’s victory. The maroon backs were sound, and made full use of occasional lapses by the Otago backs, often turning defence into attack. At half-time the score was 3-all, and at that stage of the game it looked as if either side might win, but for the greater part of the second spell Southland’s forwards predominated, coming through together in sweeping rushes which thoroughly tested the Otago defence. *'

For the winners, Wesney kicked a penalty goal, and scored a try between the posts, which he converted, and Sutherland potted a goal. For the losers, Vorrath scored an unconverted try, and Trevathan potted a goal, but the latter missed two sitters in front of the posts, and his play lacked thrust. Mitchell went off injured after 20 minutes’ play. The Southland team was undoubtedly superior to Otago on the day. Weather conditions were perfect, the sun for the most part being obscured. There was an entire absence of wind, and. the ground was in first-class order.

The game for the most part was fought out between two fine packs of forwards, and the honours were equally shared. In the back divisions Southland was undoubtedly better.

Simon, the Otago half, played a fine game, but Trevathan’s lack of thrust at first- five-eighth crippled the remainder of the backs, and in addition his kicking, with the exception of a spectacular field goal, was feeble. Had advantage been taken of the two sitters Otago would have emerged victorious. Most of the play went to BJack’s wing, but he was consistently upended before making much lieadwav.

The first score came four minutes before the end of the first spell, when Vorrath finished off a forward rush by scoring for Otago. Trevathan’s kick failed. Two minutes later Wesney put over a penalty for Southland. Early in the second spell Trevathan potted'a goal for Otago from 35 ynrds out. Southland rallied strongly, and Miles charged down a hurried kick by Trevathan. The Southland baek6 swung into action, and Wesney finished off by touching down between the posts and easily converting. A few minutes later Sutherland (Southland! fielded a clearing kick 50 yards out, ran in 10 yards, and potted a magnificent goal. Otago battled hard to stave off defeat. but the Southland men were equal to everv call made on them, and the game ended without further score.