RUGBY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 183, 1 May 1933, Page 16

RUGBY LEAGUE

The Opening Games

GOOD PLAY WITNESSED

The Rugby League season opened on Saturday when conditions, except for the northerly wind, were good. In the main game at the Showground, a particularly good standard of play was shown, considering it was the first competition game of the season.

Celtic Beat Newtown. Celtic lost the,toss against Newtown at the Showgrounds, but were give- the assistance of the strong, wind. Twice ’n succession they had the defence tested, but good tackling by Newtown kept them out. Mincham narrowly missed a penalty, but ■from the drop-out Newtown took the ’ all to past midway. Mincham, Still, and Dodson handled in turn, and later Olsen capped off a passing bout by going over well out. Simons missed.

Still, who was playing an excellent game, again got possession, and with Mineham in attendance, raced over for a good try, which Simons failed to convert. With the wind troubling them Newtown found Celtic again near the citidel, and from a scrum Burrows rushed in to touch down. Mincham converted. Just before half-time Goodwin cut round a scrum, and scored in a handv position. Mincham converting. The halftime score was: Celtic 16, Newtown 0. •With the assistance of the wind Newtown were on the offensive for a considerable time, the forwards showing up well, and having tho defence bustled on occasions.

Fuller narrowly missed from a free-kick, and from the drop-out Still, after racing for about 40 yards, scored under the posts. Mincbam converted. Getting into Celtic's twenty-five, Newtown obtained two penalties, and Fuller made no mistake in putting them to good account. Just before the final whistle Dodson and Olsen raced away, the latter scoring wide out. Simons failed to goal, and the. final scores were: Celtic 24, Newtown 4. Mr. JI. O'Grady refereed. Reserve Grade. In the preliminary reserve grade Celtic defeated Newtown by 14 to nil, tries being scored by Moisley. Ward, Wright, and Goodwin Moisley converted once. Games at Hutt. Tn the early game at Unit Park, Koro Koro defeated Randwick after a stern tussle by 12 to 3. In the later game on the same ground, City defeated Petone by 7 to 3.