1952 vs WAIKATO
Ranfurly Shield Match # 190
Waikato 17 – 03 Thames Valley
19 July 1952
Steady rain made Rugby Park heavy and greasy but the game was open with the ball kept spinning among forwards and backs. Waikato won largely through the agency of Adams boot, the fullback contributing eleven of the winners 17 points. Only two tries were scored, one by O’Hearn, eight minutes after the start, when Cowley received from Reid, ran straight and hard before handing on to O’Hearn, who dashed across and ran round before touching down. Adam having already landed a penalty goal, this made it 6 – 0. A further penalty by Adam brought the score to 9 – 0 by halftime.
The other try was registered when McLaren fielded the ball, and gave to Roberts, the wing breaking through tackles and brushing off opponents to go through on his own and score. Adam converting, and with a further penalty goal by Adam, the score was 17 – 0. No one begrudged Jacomb a penalty goal before the final whistle blew.
Full Time 17 – 03.
Waikato:
R. A. Adam; J. A. Roberts, I. N. Kurtovich, J. R. O‘Hearn; B. A. C. Cowley, J. R. Bullick; A. R. Reid ; H. C. McLaren (capt.), D. R. J. McKenzie, D. E. Grant, C. C. Vowles, G. P. Nola, J. T.Graham, E. H. Cathay, I. J. Clarke. A. D. Robertson replaced McKenzie five minutes before time. (Selector Mr R. A. Everest.)
Thames Valley:
R. Laurence; E. Gilbert, F. R. Martinovich, C. N.McCormack; B. G. O‘Neill, R. M. Jacomb; N. W. J. Beer; W. Nettlingham, R. J. O‘Dea (capt.), H. S. Hunter, D. C. Robertson, J. V. H. Innis, J. E. Harvey, D. J. Spiers, M. B. Morrison.
The referee was Mr L. A. Giles of Otago.