Shield Match #209,
Canterbury 16 – 03 Wairarapa | 18 August 1954
Wairarapa had the holders worried for quite a while, the lighter, more mobile pack proving very effective on a surface made uncertain by two days‘ rain. Indeed the 12,000 spectators were very worried indeed when at halftime the challengers led 3-0 through a penalty goal by Aitkenhead shortly before.
Gradually the Canterbury pack settled down to use their weight, and play centred more and more tn Wairarapa territory. Two penalty goals from Stuart‘s boot took Canterbury into the lead.
6-3.
A relieving kick by Aitkenhead failed to find the line. Ross Smith fielding it and racing over for an easy try which Stuart converted.
11-3.
Keeping up the pressure to the end, a forward rush ended with Teague scoring, and Stuart converting to make the final total 16-3.
Canterbury: There were three changes, K. R. Blick, B. J. McCormick, and J.D. Stewart replacing McDonald, McPherson and Hern respectively.
Wairarapa: I.A. Aitkenhead; J.H. Patete, T.A. Patete, T.Couper; L.D. Bakewell, A.B.C. Desmond; B.W. Henson; G.L. Hare, R.C.H. Blake. M.F. Bennett. B.C. Gollins, A.W. Blake (capt.), Q.E.Desmond. K. Matthews, A.C. Terry.
