Ranfurly Shield Match Savers: Wellington v Wairarapa 1905

Above: The Wellington team in 1904 – the inaugural Ranfurly Shield winners. The nucleus of this team – minus Billy Wallace, Duncan McGregor and Fred Roberts who were away with the ‘Originals’ All Blacks –  played in Ranfurly Shield defences in 1905 including this one against Wairarapa.

The Match: Wellington v Wairarapa, 16 August 1905, Athletic Park.

Referee: Mr G. Howe

Conditions: Cloudy skies, muddy field.

Crowd: 3,000

The Result:  Wellington 3 – Wairarapa 3

The Teams:

Wellington: G. Spencer, P.A. Anderson, T.J. Collerton, A. Wylie, M.B. Sharpe, A. Ransom, J.P. Blacklock, W.J. Hardham V.C. C.T. Gillespie, W. Warner, J.C. Spencer, H.R. Wright, T. Cross, A.E. Wells, , E.H. Dodd

Wairarapa: C. Williams, P. Rogers, J. O’Leary, E. Wrigley, P. O’Leary, Logan, Wickens, Workman, Beard, H. McKenzie, F. Johnston, Cadwallader, Spackman. EMERGENCIES: Rogers and Miller (backs) and Duggen and Raisen (forwards)

Match Notes:

Heavy overnight rain and a muddy field made for a forwards dominated game and the players could not handle the ball with any certainty. The Wairarapa forwards were small but plucky and they had first use of a moderate wind.

Wairarapa attacked early, but failed to break through. Five-eighths Edgar Wrigley then missed a difficult shot on goal so they failed to come away with any reward for their fast start.

A tough period of play followed, mostly swinging backwards and forwards near the middle of the field. Wairarapa’s Wrigley was playing well and his line kicking was an outstanding feature of the contest. This provided the visitors with field position and another golden chance to post first points. Halfback Logan made an opening and passed to five-eighth O’Leary, who sent the ball out to three-quarter Rogers only for him to spill the leather forward on or near the line.

They finally scored late in the half, forward Bob Spackman dotting down for Wairarapa following a lineout from a forwards rush and scramble on the line.

Wairarapa almost immediately scored again, but Wellington held them out. A final flurry of the half saw Wellington break out through hooker Dodd and create a half chance that was lost. Wairarapa led 3-0 at halftime.

Wellington had the wind at the backs in the second half and immediately went straight on to attack. From a brilliant rush and good teamwork, Bill Hardham V.C scored. Fullback George Spencer failed to convert, but Wellington were back on even terms at 3-3.

From there, Wellington soared back on to attack, but just like Wellington in the first half, Wairarapa scrambled hard on defence and kept them out – at least momentarily.

Next it was a gallant piece of defence by Wellington fullback George Spencer that saved the day.

Wellington struggled to clear their territory and Wairarapa poured back on to attack and a scoring play seemed imminent when Spackman made a clear break and appeared to be heading in for his second try. But he met Spencer as the last line of defence, who brought him down in what was a Ranfurly Shield-saving tackle.

There was to be no further scoring as the ground conditions deteriorated and Wellington held on to retain the shield with this drawn result.

They Said:

Some comments about the match and the performance of Player of the Match Edgar Wrigley from the media at the time included below.

“Wairarapa had much the best of the game in the first spell; but in the second, with the wind at their backs, the Wellington men were seen to much better advantage.” [Evening Post].

“Wairarapa were within an ace of scoring in the second half, one of the forwards [Spackman] getting clear away and only being brought to the mud within a yard of the line.” [Evening Post].

“It is time the story about Wrigley’s ‘off days’ was exploded. Wrigley played the best game on the ground. He only made one mistake throughout the game and that was a pardonable one. His cleverness in taking the ball is a treat to witness, and his kicking is excellent. It is a pity he did not go with the New Zealand team to Great Britain.” [New Zealand Times].

“Wrigley was the best back on the ground. G. Spencer, Ramsden, J. Spencer, Collerton and Dodd were the pick of the Wellington team.” [Evening Post].

Aftermath:

This was the 30th match between the two unions, with Wellington having won 22, Wairarapa six and two draws after this game.

Four days later, 14 players from both teams joined forces for the combined Wellington-Wairarapa-Horowhenua team that beat Australia 23-7 in Wellington in more heavy underfoot conditions. The 15th and sole Horowhenua player in this side was Martin Winiata. 19-year-old Masterton wing Wrigley scored a hat-trick and Winiata scored one try. Shortly after, Wrigley became the youngest All Black when he played at second-five in the All Blacks’ 14-3 win over Australia in his sole international for NZ. He later went to rugby league.

Wellington went on to beat Hawke’s Bay 11-3 in their next Ranfurly Shield defence, then lost it back to Auckland three days after that in a 6-10 loss.

The next time these teams met was the following June and Wellington won 62-9 with wing Mona Thomson scoring a hat-trick and Billy Wallace, Fred Roberts, A. Ramsden and F.C Gardiner two tries each.