Story: Timekeeping

Last-minute score, 1954 (2nd of 3)

As spectator sports took off in 20th-century New Zealand, the clock often spelt the difference between ecstasy and despair. A famous incident was the Canterbury–Otago Ranfurly Shield match at Christchurch's Lancaster Park on 18 September 1954. With the clock on the ground showing full time, Canterbury, the holders of the shield, were trailing 6–9. Then, as the crowds poured onto the ground, the team scored a try and retained the shield. Otago supporters claimed that the referee, whose watch kept the official time, had allowed up to seven minutes of 'injury time'.

Listen to the last moments of the game.

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Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Reference: Canterbury vs Otago Ranfurly Shield 18.9.54/D3507b

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Timekeeping - Time and society, 1870s–1930s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/6702/last-minute-score-1954 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006