Shield Match #85
Wairarapa 10 – 21 Hawke’s Bay | 9 July 1927

“THE BATTLE OF SOLWAY”

What a crowd at the Solway Showgrounds, Masterton 10,000, estimated to include 3,000 from the Bay. Remarkable interest was taken in the game, for it was recognised that Norman McKenzie had made a supreme efiort to regain the shield. It was one of the hardest, fastest and most open games ever played for the shield. The pace was furious and the forward clashes full of vigour. Both XV’s were fit and no latitude was given. The weather was kind, with the ground on the heavy side.

The gate was £1,400, a record for either union. So great was the energy displayed and the vigour of the attacks and defence, that stoppages lengthened the first spell to an hour. The Bay forwards had been attacking, when suddenly Roach fielded the ball near his own line, kicked high downfield. and hustled Corkill, booted the ball ahead, and then racing on, beat Grenside to dribble on and touch down between the posts for a remarkable try, which Cundy converted. 5-0. Back came the Bay forwards, play became even fiercer, and suddenly the whistle blew, and the referee ordered All Blacks M. J. Brownlie and Q. Donald off the field, apparently thinking that things were getting out of hand. However, if anything, the effects seemed to be redoubled. Grenside secured at halfway and with a dodgy run beat three men to hand on to S. Gemmell and Cyril Brownlie. The latter almost reached the line when he sent Huxtable across. B. Grenside made it 5-5 and halftime followed.

Wattie Barclay, who now captained the Bay, had played wing forward when Brownlie went, but now Sam Gemmell took over this position. B. Grenside landed a penalty goal. 5-8. Then the defenders scored again when from a scrum in midfield, the Bay got the ball, but Cundy suddenly intercepted a pass and broke clean through. l-le passed to the “wizard” Cooke as the fullback was reached, the try between the posts being converted by Cundy. 10-8. Twenty minutes remained and then the Bay staged its famous final rush. First it was Edwards who punted over the opponents’ heads, from a lineout. Barclay and S. Gemmell were first to the ball. the former dribbling across the line and touching down between the posts. Grenside converted. 10-13. Injuries were still frequent and the play hectic. Jim Donald had to retire, E. B. Booth replacing him. Back came the Bay with Cyril Brownlie playing an outstanding game. He was suddenly away in midfield, beat two men and handed on to Sam Gemmell who neared the line and sent Swain across. 10-16. A final forward attack, and S. Gemmell swerved through again and Huxtable got his second try. Bert Grenside converting. It was a magnificent victory and fully deserved. Yet all that is liable to be forgotten in the aftermath. It was fierce and strenuous, and has nlwaya since been referred to as “the Battle of Solway”. Aim the match. pnisea were lavished on the Bay. Most of the New Zealand Rugby “heath” were present and praised the Bay for their magnificent victory.

Wairarapa: The same XV that captured the shield at Napier except W.Yates and K.H. Reid were replaced by I.A. Hart and d K. Fairbrother.

Hawke’s Bay: T.G. Corkill; B.A. Grenside, I.M. Blake, W. Huxtable; W.P. Barclay, Eru Te Ngaio; R. Edwards; M.J. Brownlie (capt.); S.W. Gemmell, C. Campbell. C.J. Brownlie, G. Conrad, R.Tankard, J. Gemmell, I.P. Swain.

The referee was Mr H.J. (Bert) McKenzie of Carterton.

Six of those who played on 3 June were discarded, and five of this XV were making their debut for Hawke’s Bay.

The New Zealand Maori team began a 12 match tour of the country this same date, Hawke’s Bay members of the side who had played shield Rugby being W.P. Barclay. E. Te Ngaio, John and Sam Gernmell.

Three of the leading figures in this historic occasion were the three McKenzie brothers. Edward, Wairarapa selector; Herbert, the referee; and Norman, Hawke’s Bay selector.

DISQUALIFIED
It was five days later that the first hmt of any trouble was heard. On 14 July the Wairarapa union decided to challenge the bona fides of Barclay in playing so soon after returning from Auckland. It was stated that the matter was raised before the match when Hawke’s Bay had given an assurance that he had complied with both union’s residential qualification, viz. fourteen days, and also that he had settled permanently in Hastings. It was now found that the rule governing Ranfurly Shield matches required at least twenty-one days‘ residence. This was the basis of the appeal. The New Zealand union considered the appeal on 20 July, and two day; later decided to uphold Wairarapa’s protest and to award the shield back to Wairarapa.

The Auckland union had submitted evidence that Barclay had played in three club matches in May and again on 11 June, and had left Auckland on 23 June. The motion carried was: “That whereas W. Barclay was a bona file resident of Auckland until 23 June, having fulfilled the qualification necessary under that union’s rule No. 28, and whereas Barclay did not fulfil the residential qualification as provided in the New Zealand Rugby Union’s rule 4, to permit him to play for Hawke’s Bay, this committee upholds the protest of Wairarapa and awards the match to Wairarapa.“ A threat was made that Hawke’s Bay would take the matter to the Supreme Court, but instead lodged an appeal with the Appeal Council of the New Zealand Rugby Union. That body upheld the decision of the Rugby union on 19 August, and Hawke’s Bay were instructed to send the shield to Manawhenua, Gordon Yates taking it to Palmerston North. While the question of destination of the shield was being decided, provisional matches were played by both unions. On 27 July, Hawke’s Bay played Taranaki at Nelson Park. Hastings, and the result was a draw, 8-8. A further provisional match was played on 30 July, at McLean Park, Napier, when Hawke’s Bay beat Manawhenua 16-0.

Then Wairarapa, too, played a provisional challenge by Manawhenua which became a proper challenge when the appeal council upheld the decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union and decided on 19 August that Manawhenua were the holders, they having beaten Wairarapa in this match .

NOTE: Subsequent appeal on the grounds of residential qualifications’ of one of the opposing (Hawke’s Bay) side resulted in the Shield being returned to Wairarapa; in the meantime, however, Manawhenua hd been successful in a provisional challenge, and the trophy was awarded to that union.