Ranfurly Shield 1904–09

The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. 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.

Holders

Only two teams held the Ranfurly Shield from 1904–1909:

Union	Won	Successful Defences
Auckland	Awarded to in 1902	0
Wellington	August 6, 1904	4
Auckland	August 26, 1905	12

Fixtures

1904

	6 August 1904	Auckland	3–6	Wellington	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: Henry Kiernan		Try: Donaldson Gray, Duncan McGregor	Attendance: 9,000 Referee: W. Pitts (Auckland)

	20 August 1904	Wellington	6–3	Canterbury	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Billy Wallace (2)		Try: P.J. Burns	Referee: Alfred Norris (Wellington)

	10 September 1904	Wellington	15–13	Otago	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Duncan McGregor (2), Billy Wallace Con: Duncan McGregor		Try: James Duncan King, W.J. Munro, Colin Gilray Con: Ernest Booth (2)	Referee: Francis Evans (Canterbury)

1905

	16 August 1905	Wellington	3–3	Wairarapa	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: William James Hardham		Try: R. Spackman	Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington)

	23 August 1905	Wellington	11–3	Hawke's Bay	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: John Spencer, J.P. Blacklock, P.A. Anderson Con: George Spencer		Try: M. McCarthy	Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington)

	26 August 1905	Wellington	6–10	Auckland	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Pen: George Spencer (2)		Try: Richard Wynyard, William Tyler Drop: Arthur Francis	Referee: J.F. Manning (Manawatu)

1906

	11 August 1906	Auckland	29–6	Canterbury	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: Richard Wynyard (2), William Hay-MacKenzie, George Nicholson, Charlie Seeling Con: John Henry Dufty (4) Pen: John Henry Dufty Drop: John Henry Dufty		Pen: Donald Fraser Drop: Donald Fraser	Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington)

	18 August 1906	Auckland	18–5	Taranaki	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: George Gillett, Charlie Seeling, R.B. Magee Con: John Henry Dufty (3) Drop: John Henry Dufty		Try: Donald Cameron Con: Arthur Hardgrave	Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington)

	25 August 1906	Auckland	48–12	Southland	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: George Nicholson (3), George Smith (2), William Hay-MacKenzie (2), William Tyler, Henry Kiernan, Frank Wilson Con: John Henry Dufty (7) Drop: John Henry Dufty		Try: T.A. Clark Con: Donald Cameron Hamilton Pen: Donald Cameron Hamilton Drop: E.E. Hughes	Referee: F.A. Laws (Auckland)

	1 September 1906	Auckland	11–5	Wellington	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: Richard Wynyard Con: John Henry Dufty Pen: John Henry Dufty Drop: John Henry Dufty		Try: Hector Thomson Con: Billy Wallace	Referee: Peter Mackie (Auckland)

1907

	13 July 1907	Auckland	21–0	Buller	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: G.W. Murray (3), Richard Wynyard (3), C. Dillamore			Referee: Angus Campbell (Auckland)

	10 August 1907	Auckland	12–3	Hawke's Bay	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: Harold Hayward, G.W. Murray, J.H. Hall, William Wynyard		Try: T. McIntyre	Referee: G. Hopkins (Taranaki)

	14 September 1907	Auckland	6–5	Wanganui	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: Albert Asher, J.H. Hall		Try: Albert Carroll Con: L.L. Hitchings	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Angus Campbell (Auckland)

1908

	8 August 1908	Auckland	32–0	Marlborough	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: E. Coote (2), Frank Wilson, R.B. Magee, Arthur Francis, G.W. Murray, Charlie Seeling Con: R.B. Magee (4) Drop: R.B. Magee			Attendance: 2,000 Referee: N. A'Court (Taranaki)

	15 August 1908	Auckland	24–3	Wellington	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: George Bater (2), G.W. Murray (2), George Nicholson Con: R.B. Magee (3) Drop: R.B. Magee		Try: W.C. Alexander	Attendance: 15,000 Referee: J. Williams (Otago)

	29 August 1908	Auckland	9–0	Taranaki	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: George Gillett, C.W. Murray Pen: George Gillett			Attendance: 8,500 Referee: J. Williams (Otago)

	12 September 1908	Auckland	11–5	Otago	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: George Bater, Frank Morse, G.W. Murray Con: R.B. Magee		Try: Alex McDonald Con: Harry Paton	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington)

1909

	11 September 1909	Auckland	18–5	Taranaki	Alexandra Park, Auckland
		Try: Dougie McGregor (2), George Sellars, G.W. Murray, Harold Hayward, Joe O'Leary		Try: Donald Cameron Con: Ernest Dive	Attendance: 6,000 Referee: J. Williams (Auckland)

References

• http://www.scrum.co.nz/Ranfurly_Shield_Matches.asp