RUGBY FOOTBALL Decisive Win for Celtic Seniors

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 August 1946, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL Decisive Win for Celtic Seniors

Championship Semi-final Cobden’s Easy Victory over United Celtic seniors won their way into the final of the West Coast Rugby Union’s championship with a surprisingly decisive victory over last year s champion team, Blaketown, at the Omoto racecourse on Saturday afternoon. Cobden won by default from United seniors and Cobden and Celtic will now meet in the final. The Omoto ground, to which the matches were transferred because of the heavy state of Rugby Park, was in splendid order, and considering the late notice given to patrons there was a good attendance. Celtic defeated Blaketown by 17 points to six, and Cobden won from United by 30 points to eight in a friendly match. All lower grade matches were postponed because of the condition of the ground after the heavy rain of the previous few days. Ollie Played Improved Football Playing probably their best football of the season to date Celtic seniors established a lead of 11 points in the first spell of their match with Blaketwn and from then on, particularly as they played with the w’ind in the second spell, they were not in danger of defeat. Celtic’s play, however, was not nearly as good in the later stages. Blaketown did not strike top gear at any part of the game, and it was one of this team’s worst displays this season. There was a noticeable improvement in Blaketown’s play in the second spell, but it was not sufficient to make any real difference to the run of play, which was definitely in favour of Celtic. It was a hard, keenly-fought game throughout, and flying fists were not infrequently seen in some of the exciting tussles. There was, too, a tendency to late tackling, perhaps not sufficient to warrant a penalty being awarded, but sufficient to ensure the unfortunate opponent being grounded and out of the play. More Dash The Celtic forwards played with more dash and success than at any previous stage of the season, and, against a rather surprisingly disorganised Blaketown scrum, they won a big share of the ball. From lineouts and rucks, too, the Celtic forwards won their share, and this enabled the Celtic backs to show their quality. The Blaketown backs did not function as a combination. G. McLean F. Roberts, M. Thomas (until his retirement) and H. Webster all did well as individuals in the Blaketown backs, and for Celtic A. Howell, R. O’Callaghan, R. Fitzgerald and L. Silcock were the most consistent. R. Mitchell, D. McKendry, J. Smith and H. Panther were good foiwards for Blaketown. Celtic’s best packmen were B. Constable, W. Butler, P. McNamara and V. Hahn. The teams were as follow: — Blaketown:—H. Webster; R. Nelson, L. Stewart, M. McDonald; G. McLean, M. Thomas; F. Roberts; K. Tomlinson, D. McKendry, H. Panther. R Mitchell, A. Mathieson, C. Panther, J. Smith; M. Lines. - Celtic:—R. Fitzgerald;.W. Millett, L. Silcock, K. Rea: R. O’Callaghan, A. Howell; G. Parry; A. Fauth, P. McNamara, V. Hahn; B. Constable H. Cloake, W. Butler, A Garforth, 1. Harker. The referee was Mr. T. Henley. The Scoring Seven minutes after the start Celtic heeled the ball over from a ruck near the Blaketown line and O’Callaghan dived over for a fine try well out. He missed with., the kick . Blaketown equalised 10 minutes later, when Thomas kicked an easy goal from a penalty. O’Callaghan kicked a goal from a penalty to Celtic in an easy position. Celtic 6 Blaketown o. Thomas made a splendid inn ioi Blaketown but lack of support to him enabled Celtic to clear. The Celtic backs were functioning well, and from one movement on the Blaketown side of half-way Silcock cut through brilliantly inside his opposite centre and raced away for a try well out. O”Callaghan goaled with a fine kick Celtic 11, Blaketown 3. Just be-fore'half-time Cloake was awarded a try' When the Celtic forwards surged over the line from a hne-out. O’Callaghan failed to goal. Hall-time score: Celtic 14, Blaketown 3. Ha If-wav through the second spell Thomas retired injured, and was replaced by A. Knapp who went to centre, McLean and Stewart moving in one place each. Fauth kicked an easy goal from a penalty in fiont of the posts. Celtic 17 Blaketown 3. Blaketown was unlucky when McLean made a fine - break down the centre but he knocked on in fiont of the costs Right on time Webstei ‘cored a try lor Biaketown.near the corner. Stewart missed the kick at goal. Final score—Celtic 17, Blake town 6.

Cobden and United in Friendly Game Cobden seniors won by default from United, who fielded four Cobden junior players. The default was claimed by Cobden before the game commenced, and the teams played a friendly match. Included in the United backs was the'former West Coast and Nelson representative half-back, T. Kielj, who is visiting Greymouth following his release from the Air Foice. Cobden was never in trouble and won by 37 points to 8.