Ranfurly Shield 1920–1929

The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition.^[1] First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies. The holding union must defend the Shield in challenge matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield. Hawke's Bay were the most successful team during this period with 24 successful defences which was, at that stage, a record.

Union	Won	Successful defences
Wellington	Held at beginning of decade	10
Southland	15 September 1920	1
Wellington	10 September 1921	2
Hawke's Bay	9 August 1922	24
Wairarapa	3 June 1927	2
Manawhenua	6 August 1927	2
Canterbury	7 September 1927	1
Wairarapa	18 July 1928	8
Southland	31 August 1929	0

2 June 1920 Match 43

Wellington	15–3	Canterbury
Try: Jack Shearer, Beethoven Algar, A. Gilchrist Con: Edward Roberts (3)		Pen: Edward Hasell

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 10,000[2] Referee: Henry Paton (Wellington)

30 June 1920 Match 44

Wellington	22–3	Bay of Plenty
Try: George Aitken (2), N.A.J. Barker, A.D. Jackson, E.E. Hughes, S.J. Standen Con: E.E. Hughes, Ranji Wilson		Try: Duncan Heather

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 3,000[3] Referee: A.W. Thompson (Manawatu)

7 July 1920 Match 45

Wellington	20–9	Taranaki
Try: George Aitken, Mark Nicholls, Harry Nicholls, Jack Shearer Con: Mark Nicholls Pen: Mark Nicholls Drop: Mark Nicholls		Try: F.S. McKenna Con: S.D. George Drop: D. Sykes

Showgrounds Oval, Hawera Attendance: 5,000[4] Referee: F.C. Atkinson (Wanganui)

28 July 1920 Match 46

Wellington	20–5	Hawke's Bay
Try: James Ryan (2), R.J. Harkness, Umberto Calcinai, Fred Tilyard, N.A.J. Barker Con: Mark Nicholls		Try: James Mapu Con: E. Kuru

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 3,000[5] Referee: John L. Simpson (Wellington)

7 August 1920 Match 47

Wellington	23–20	Auckland
Try: Umberto Calcinai (2), Ranji Wilson, N.A.J. Barker, E.E. Hughes Con: Mark Nicholls (4)		Try: A.P. Singe, E. Earlly, R. Taylor Con: G.W. Murray, W.A. Laxon Pen: W.A. Laxon Drop: Charles Kingstone

Auckland Domain, Auckland Attendance: 15,000[6] Referee: F.C. Atkinson (Wanganui)

21 August 1920 Match 48

Wellington	16–5	Taranaki
Try: George Aitken (2), James Tilyard, Edmond Ryan Con: Edward Roberts (2)		Try: H.T. Wilkinson Con: R.W. Roberts

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 4,000[7] Referee: Charles Kitto (Wellington)

28 August 1920 Match 49

Wellington	20–14	Wanganui
Try: N.A.J. Barker, James Tilyard, George Aitken, Mark Nicholls Con: Mark Nicholls (2) Drop: Edmond Ryan		Try: T. Sullivan, R. Scott, Kenneth Svenson Con: R. Cowie Pen: R. Cowie

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 5,000[8] Referee: John L. Simpson (Wellington)

4 September 1920 Match 50

Wellington	20–3	Auckland
Try: Edmond Ryan, Umberto Calcinai, E.E. Hughes, James Tilyard Con: Mark Nicholls (2) Drop: Edward Roberts		Try: T. Campbell

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 16,000[9] Referee: Edward McKenzie (Wairarapa)

9 September 1920 Match 51

Wellington	32–16	South Canterbury
Try: W. O'Sullivan (2), T. Price (2), Umberto Calcinai, Sydney Shearer, Ranji Wilson Con: Mark Nicholls (4) Pen: Mark Nicholls		Try: Phillippe Cabot, J.E. Cooke Con: A. Scott (2) Drop: A. Scott

Caledonian Ground, Timaru Attendance: 4,000[10] Referee: R. McKenzie (Otago)

11 September 1920 Match 52

Wellington	16–5	Otago
Try: W. O'Sullivan (2) Con: Mark Nicholls Drop: Edward Roberts (2)		Try: William Fea Con: J. Turnbull

Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 12,000[11] Referee: R. McKenzie (Otago)

15 September 1920 Match 53

Southland	17–6	Wellington
Try: N.F. Stead (2), G.A. Fortune, J.W. Holmes Con: I.H. Brown Pen: Andrew White		Try: J.W. McCabe Con: Mark Nicholls

Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill Attendance: [nb 1] Referee: John Stalker (Southland)

20 August 1921 Match 53

Southland	10–8	Otago
Try: E.H. Diack, E.M. Gilmour Con: H. Agnew (2)		Try: E.B. Stewart Con: R.C. Bell Pen: R.C. Bell

Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill Attendance: 7,000[15] Referee: J.F. Peake (Canterbury)

10 September 1921 Match 54

Wellington	28–13	Southland
Try: E.W. King, C.J.M. Gair, F.C. Hutchinson, Sydney Shearer, Paul Markham Con: Mark Nicholls (2) Pen: Mark Nicholls (2) Drop: F.C. Hutchinson		Try: E.H. Diack, H.J. Brown, L.R. Lopdell Con: H. Agnew (2)

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 10,000[16] Referee: R. McKenzie (Otago)

21 September 1921 Match 55

Wellington	27–19	Auckland
Try: A.D. Jackson (2), Doug Algar, Jack Shearer, Sydney Shearer, Mark Nicholls Con: Mark Nicholls Pen: Mark Nicholls Drop: Mark Nicholls		Try: Laurie Knight, L.C. Williams, Ces Badeley, Karl Ifwersen Con: Ces Badeley (2) Pen: Victor Badeley

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 4,500[17] Referee: John L. Simpson (Wellington)

24 September 1921 Match 56

Wellington	13–8	Otago
Try: E.W. King, James Duncan, Mark Nicholls Drop: Harry Nicholls		Try: G.L. Owles (2) Con: Johnstone Richardson

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 9,000[18] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

9 August 1922 Match 57

Hawke's Bay	19–9	Wellington
Try: Jack Kirwan (2), J.H. Scott, Jack NcNab Con: Gordon Yates (2) Pen: Gordon Yates		Try: Ward Udy, S.J. Standen, W.T. Ryan

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 4,000[19] Referee: Alfred Neilson (Wellington)

2 September 1922 Match 58

Hawke's Bay	17–16	Bay of Plenty
Try: Cyril Brownlie, L.H. Hingston, Wattie Barclay, Jackie Blake Con: Gordon Yates Pen: Gordon Yates		Try: P. Wihapi, David Borell, Charles Montgomery, C. Alexander Con: A.L. McLean, Noel Boucher

Nelson Park, Hastings Attendance: 4,000[20] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

16 September 1922 Match 59

Hawke's Bay	42–8	King Country
Try: Bert Grenside (3), U. Batchelor (2), R.F. O'Donoghue (2), Jack Kirwan, T. Daly Con: Gordon Yates (5), R.F. O'Donoghue Pen: Gordon Yates		Try: R.L. Harty Con: J.B. Macken Pen: J.B. Macken

McLean Park, Napier Referee: Bill O'Neill (Hawke's Bay)

4 June 1923 Match 60

Hawke's Bay	6–0	Wairarapa
Try: Percy Martin-Smith Pen: George Nēpia

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 5,000[21] Referee: John L. Simpson (Wellington)

28 July 1923 Match 61

Hawke's Bay	10–6	Wellington
Pen: George Nēpia Drop: Gordon Yates, Alexander Kirkpatrick		Try: W.F.F. Faber, John Duncan

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 6,000[22] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

11 August 1923 Match 62

Hawke's Bay	15–0	Poverty Bay
Try: N.L. Kivell, Cyril Brownlie, James Mapu, George Nēpia, Jimmy Mill

Nelson Park, Hastings Referee: A.E. Freeman (Wairarapa)

15 August 1923 Match 63

Hawke's Bay	9–8	Canterbury
Try: George Nēpia, Lui Paewai, Bert Grenside		Try: J.H. Parker Con: I.H. Brown Drop: I.H. Brown

Nelson Park, Hastings Attendance: 5,000[23] Referee: F.C. Atkinson (Wanganui)

8 September 1923 Match 64

Hawke's Bay	38–11	Horowhenua
Try: Bert Grenside (3), Alby Falwasser, T. Daly, Sam Gemmell, Maurice Brownlie, J. Walker, William Irvine, George Nēpia Con: George Nēpia (3), Maurice Brownlie		Try: K. Kelly, Rewi Moynihan Con: Hohepa Jacob Pen: Hohepa Jacob

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 5,000[24] Referee: George Maddison (Hawke's Bay)

22 September 1923 Match 65

Hawke's Bay	20–5	Auckland
Try: Jimmy Mill (2), Lui Paewai, Jack McNab, J. Walker Con: George Nēpia Drop: George Nēpia		Try: Bert Cooke Con: Karl Ifwersen

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 8,500[25] Referee: Alfred Eckhold (Otago)

3 June 1924 Match 66

Hawke's Bay	30–14	Wairarapa
Try: Bert Grenside (2), Jimmy Mill, Jackie Blake, J.W.D. Mardon, Alexander Kirkpatrick, Sam Gemmell, Alby Falwasser Con: N. McCarthy (3)		Try: Albert Desmond (2), H. Parker Con: J. Hiroti Pen: J. Hiroti

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 4,800[26] Referee: Charles Kitto (Wellington)

21 June 1924 Match 67

Hawke's Bay	46–10	Poverty Bay
Try: Bert Grenside (4), Jack McNab (2), Cyril Brownlie (2), Alby Falwasser, Tiaki Omana, N.L. Kivell Con: George Nēpia (2), Jimmy Mill (2), William Irvine Pen: George Nēpia		Try: Robert Whaitiri, J.H. Scott Con: P. Tureia (2)

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 5,000[27] Referee: George Madison (Hawke's Bay)

16 August 1924 Match 68

Hawke's Bay	35–3	Nelson
Try: Alby Falwasser (4), Jackie Blake (2), C.C. Hingston, J. Hebberley Con: J.W.D. Mardon Pen: Gordon Yates (2), L.A. Miller		Try: C.H.A. Kinzett

Nelson Park, Hastings Referee: E.D. Berry (Hawke's Bay)

23 August 1924 Match 69

Hawke's Bay	23–6	Auckland
Try: Bert Grenside (2), Tiaki Omana, Alby Falwasser, Jackie Blake Con: Gordon Yates Pen: Gordon Yates Drop: Tommy Corkill		Try: Neil Ifwersen Drop: J. Kirwan

McLean Park, Napier Referee: Bill O'Neill (Hawke's Bay)

30 August 1924 Match 70

Hawke's Bay	31–5	Manawatu
Try: Tommy Corkill (3), Alby Falwasser (3), J.W.D. Mardon (2), C.C. Hingston Con: Gordon Yates, L.A. Miller		Try: J. McDonald Con: L.J. Mullins

Nelson Park, Hastings Attendance: 4,000[28] Referee: George Madison (Hawke's Bay)

3 June 1925 Match 71

Hawke's Bay	22–3	Wairarapa
Try: Bert Grenside (2), Jimmy Mill, Cyril Brownlie, M. Mahoney Con: George Nēpia, L.A. Miller Drop: H.H. Wylie		Pen: Frank Booth

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 10,000[29] Referee: F.C. Atkinson (Wanganui)

5 August 1925 Match 72

Hawke's Bay	24–18	Canterbury
Try: Maurice Brownlie, Bert Grenside, Jackie Blake, Jimmy Mill, Alby Falwasser Con: William Irvine (3) Pen: William Irvine		Try: S. Baird, Alan Robilliard, W.A. Ford, C.J. Oliver Con: D.C. Nixon (3)

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 10,000[30] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

8 August 1925 Match 73

Hawke's Bay	31–12	Southland
Try: Sam Gemmell (2), Tommy Corkill, Maurice Brownlie, Alexander Kirkpatrick, Jackie Blake, Alby Falwasser, Bert Grenside, J. Walker Con: William Irvine (2)		Try: Bill Hazlett, E.I. Ottrey Con: Frank Kilby Drop: Frank Kilby

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 6,000[31] Referee: W.J. Meredith (Auckland)

22 August 1925 Match 74

Hawke's Bay	28–3	Taranaki
Try: Wattie Barclay (2), Jackie Blake (2), H.H. Wylie, Maurice Brownlie, Bert Grenside Con: William Irvine, H.H. Wylie Pen: Jimmy Mill		Try: Wallace R. Robinson

Nelson Park, Hastings Attendance: 5,000[32] Referee: Wm. O'Neill (Hawke's Bay)

5 September 1925 Match 75

Hawke's Bay	20–11	Wellington
Try: John Swain (2), Alby Falwasser, Tommy Corkill, Jackie Blake, Maurice Brownlie Con: William Irvine		Try: Kenneth Svenson Con: Mark Nicholls Pen: Mark Nicholls Drop: Kenneth Svenson

Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 23,000[33] Referee: F.C. Atkinson (Wanganui)

9 September 1925 Match 76

Hawke's Bay	34–14	Otago
Try: Jackie Blake (3), Tiaki Omana, Alby Falwasser, J. Walker, Jimmy Mill, Cyril Brownlie Con: Bert Grenside (3), Gordon Yates (2)		Try: R.G. Webb (2) Con: F. Donnelly Pen: F. Donnelly Drop: L.G.T. Townsend

Nelson Park, Hastings Attendance: 4,000[34] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

3 June 1926 Match 77

Hawke's Bay	77–14	Wairarapa
Try: Jackie Blake (5), Maurice Brownlie (3), Bert Cooke (3), Tommy Corkill (2), E.S. Craven, G. Tait, Bert Grenside, Cyril Brownlie Con: Bert Grenside (8), Maurice Brownlie (5)		Try: Randall Booth, K.G. Fairbrother Con: Frederick Fuller Pen: Frederick Fuller (2)

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 8,000[35] Referee: George Madison (Hawke's Bay)

5 June 1926 Match 78

Hawke's Bay	36–3	Wanganui
Try: Bert Cooke (3), Bert Grenside (2), John Swain (2), G. Tait, William Irvine, Alexander Kirkpatrick Con: Bert Grenside (2), Jimmy Mill		Pen: Dudley Cameron

Nelson Park, Hastings Attendance: 5,000[36] Referee: E.D. Berry (Hawke's Bay)

14 August 1926 Match 79

Hawke's Bay	58–8	Wellington
Try: Bert Grenside (5), Alexander Kirkpatrick (2), Jackie Blake, Cyril Brownlie, Bert Cooke, L.M. Johnson, Edward Single, John Swain Con: George Nēpia (7), Bert Grenside Pen: George Nēpia		Try: E.F. Barry Con: Mark Nicholls Pen: Mark Nicholls

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 14,000[37] Referee: Alfred Eckhold (Otago)

21 August 1926 Match 80

Hawke's Bay	41–11	Auckland
Try: Jackie Blake (3), Bert Cooke (2), Maurice Brownlie, Cyril Brownlie, John Swain, M. Mahoney Con: George Nēpia (2), Bert Grenside (2) Pen: George Nēpia (2)		Try: Neil Ifwersen, F.W. Lucas Con: Ruben McWilliams Drop: L. Freeman

McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 8,000[38] Referee: R.J. Paton (Wellington)

18 September 1926 Match 81

Hawke's Bay	17–15	Canterbury
Try: Bert Grenside (2), William Irvine, Bert Cooke, Maurice Brownlie Con: Bert Grenside		Try: Alan Robilliard, N. Dorreen Con: Herb Lilburne Pen: S.R. Carleton Drop: Herb Lilburne

Lancaster Park Oval, Christchurch Attendance: 20,000[39] Referee: Alfred Eckhold (Otago)

3 June 1927 Match 82

Hawke's Bay	11–15	Wairarapa
Try: John Swain Con: Bert Grenside Pen: Bert Grenside (2)		Try: W. Yates Pen: Rawi Cundy (4)

McLean Park, Napier Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

2 July 1927 Match 83

Wairarapa	53–3	Bush
Try: Bert Cooke (3), Clinton Stringfellow (2), W. Yates (2), Randall Booth (2), Rawi Cundy, Walter Reside, I.H. Harvey, Quentin Donald Con: Bert Cooke (5), Rawi Cundy (3)		Pen: C.B. Udy

Cameron and Soldiers Memorial Park, Masterton Attendance: 2,000[40] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

9 July 1927 Match 84

Wairarapa	10–21[nb 2]	Hawke's Bay
Try: L. Roach, Bert Cooke Con: Rawi Cundy (2)		Try: W.J. Huxtable (2), Wattie Barclay, John Swain Con: Bert Grenside (3) Pen: Bert Grenside

Solway Showgrounds Oval, Masterton Attendance: 12,000[41] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

6 August 1927 Match 85

Wairarapa	16–18	Manawhenua
Try: I.H. Harvey, Bert Cooke, Keith Reid Con: Rawi Cundy (2) Pen: Rawi Cundy		Try: T. Parsons, G. Persson, C. Hunt, Hone McDonald Con: K.D. Brophy (2), Hohepa Jacob

Showgrounds Oval, Carterton Attendance: 2,345[42] Referee: Charles Kitto (Wellington)

31 August 1927 Match 86

Manawhenua	9–3	Taranaki
Try: M. Tremewan, E. Anderson Pen: Hohepa Jacob		Try: R. O'Keeffe

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 10,000[43] Referee: F.E. Sutherland (Auckland)

3 September 1927 Match 87

Manawhenua	25–6	Wanganui
Try: Hone McDonald (3), T. Parsons, M. Tremewan, Hohepa Jacob Con: Hohepa Jacob (2) Pen: Hohepa Jacob		Try: J. Johnston Pen: F. Leahy

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 5,000[44] Referee: D.A. Clark (Canterbury)

7 September 1927 Match 88

Manawhenua	6–17	Canterbury
Try: W. Parata Pen: Hohepa Jacob		Try: Alan Robilliard (2), W.C. Dalley Con: Herb Lilburne Pen: S.R. Carleton Drop: W.C. Dalley

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 8,000[45] Referee: F.C. Atkinson (Wanganui)

14 July 1928

Canterbury	29–9	South Canterbury
Try: C.D. Chesley (2), George Hart (2), C.J. Oliver, S.F. Fookes, D.G. Grant Con: C.D. Chesley (4)		Try: T. Manning Pen: D.G. Fairbrother, E.M. Halsteed

Lancaster Park Oval, Christchurch Attendance: 15,000[46] Referee: Alfred Eckhold (Otago)

18 July 1928

Canterbury	7–8	Wairarapa
Try: A.E. Cooke, R. Jury Con: A.E. Cooke		Pen: C.D. Chesley Drop: C.J. Oliver

Lancaster Park Oval, Christchurch Attendance: 20,000[47] Referee: R. Herd (Otago)

11 August 1928

Wairarapa	57–11	Bush
Try: W. Yates (2), M.J. Parker (2), Bert Cooke (2), Clinton Stringfellow, Stanley Willoughby, I.A. Hart, N. McGregor, K.G. Fairbrother Con: Rawi Cundy (9) Pen: Rawi Cundy (2)		Try: G. Harris (2), L. Bartosh Con: C.B. Udy

Cameron and Soldiers Memorial Park, Masterton Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

18 August 1928

Wairarapa	26–8	Marlborough
Try: W. Yates (2), Clinton Stringfellow, R. Jury, K.G. Fairbrother, J.T. Walker Con: Rawi Cundy (3), W. Yates		Try: F. Barclay, L. Hounsell Con: G. Isherwood

Showgrounds Oval, Carterton Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

22 August 1928

Wairarapa	9–3	Wellington
Try: Quentin Donald, G.R. Sharp Pen: W. Pates		Pen: F.S. Ramson

Showgrounds Oval, Carterton Attendance: 4,500[48] Referee: Herbert McKenzie (Wairarapa)

15 September 1928

Wairarapa	31–10	Manawhenua
Try: J.G. Donald (2), M.J. Parker (2), R. Jury, Clinton Stringfellow, Rawi Cundy Con: Rawi Cundy (3) Drop: L. Roach		Try: D.Tatana, T. Parsons Drop: W. Gleeson

Showgrounds Oval, Carterton Referee: Joseph King (Wanganui)

20 July 1929

Wairarapa	10–6	Hawke's Bay
Try: Randall Booth, A.V. Jury Con: Frederick Fuller (2)		Try: L.F. South Pen: Jack Ruru

Cameron and Soldiers Memorial Park, Masterton Attendance: 10,000[49] Referee: Joseph Moffitt (Wellington)

10 August 1929

Wairarapa	17–14	Auckland
Try: W.R. Irvine Con: Frederick Fuller Pen: Frederick Fuller (4)		Try: K.D. Anderson, L.S. Hook, F.S. Lucas, P.C. Minns Con: Ronald Bush

Showgrounds Oval, Carterton Attendance: 8,000[50] Referee: Hugh Whittington (Taranaki)

17 August 1929

Wairarapa	37–16	Manawhenua
Try: Bert Cooke (2), Jimmy Mill, Rawi Cundy, Frederick Fuller, Clinton Stringfellow, Tommy Corkill, J.G. Donald Con: Rawi Cundy (3), Frederick Fuller (2) Pen: Rawi Cundy		Try: W. Parata, T. Parata, T.J. Miles Con: Eric Fletcher (2) Pen: Eric Fletcher

Cameron and Soldiers Memorial Park, Masterton Attendance: 2,000[51] Referee: T.A. Fletcher (Wellington)

28 August 1929

Wairarapa	17–12	Canterbury
Try: Stanley Willougby, W.R. Irvine, Rawi Cundy Con: Rawi Cundy, Frederick Fuller Drop: Bert Cooke		Try: J.T. Robinson, George Hart Con: Herb Lilburne Drop: D.M. Hay

Cameron and Soldiers Memorial Park, Masterton Attendance: 8,000[52] Referee: Joseph Moffitt (Wellington)

31 August 1929

Wairarapa	16–19	Southland
Try: Clinton Stringfellow (2) Pen: Rawi Cundy, Frederick Fuller Drop: Frederick Fuller		Try: B.A. Mahoney, R.M. Bird Pen: G. Porter (2) Drop: G. Porter (2)

Showgrounds Oval, Carterton Referee: T.A. Fletcher (Wellington)