Celtic Outclasses Kokatahi

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 September 1946, Page 8

Celtic Outclasses Kokatahi

McLean Shield Match at Hokitika Outclassing Kokatahi in all departments of the game Celtic (Greymouth) won the McLean Shield at Cass square, Hokitika, on Saturday afternoon by 16 points to three. Heavy rain and a strong northerly wind throughout the game made conditions unpleasant but the standard of play in the first spell was good with some bright back play, especially by Celtic. Kokatahi played with the wind in the first spell, but led by only three points to nil at the interval. There was no doubt about Celtic’s superiority in the second spell and Kokatahi was seldom in an attacking position in the last 40 minutes. i The Kokatahi forwards were expected to provide stout opposition, and they did for a long time, though the Celtic pack always had their measure after the first half hour. The Kokatahi backs tackled • well, but were never dangerous on attack, 1 except for one or two individuals. The Celtic forwards were lifeless in the first 20 minutes of the game, but : thereafter they rallied, and they played some splendid ■ wet-weather , football. The Celtic backs handled ' splendidly in the first spell, when playing against the wind, but they i were not so sure in the second, and : wisely used their forwards as much as possible. ,R. O’Callaghan and A. Fauth (Celtic) were injured in the first spell and retired. They were replaced by W. Hamilton and P. Butler. O’Callaghan’s departure weakened the backs, though Hamil- • ton played well: ! Outstanding backs for Celtic were I A. Howell, G. Parry and R. Fitzgerald, while B. Constable, W. Butler,, H. Cloake and P. McNamara were the pick of the forwards. W. Amberger and C. Monk were easily the best of the Kokatahi backs, and Ritchie, R. Godfrey, P. Duggan and R. Wieblitz were the'most consistent of the Kokatahi pack, Ritchie playing a splendid game. Tries were scored foi' Celtic by W. Butler, L. McManus, K. Rea and W. Hamilton, and R. Fitzgerald converted two. C. Monk kicked a goal from a penalty for Kokatahi. Mr M. R. Bunt, of Greymouth, was the referee. Dillman Shield Retained by Inangahua With a pack of vigorous forwards allowing the visiting backs little latitude, Inangahua defeated Greymouth by 12 points to 8 at Reefton on Saturday to retain the Dittman Shield. This is the first time for 18 years that Inangahua has held the trophy, and its victory on Saturday was fully deserved. The attendance* was not large and several showers fell during the play. Greymouth secured the ball from a large majority of scrums and linecuts, but the fast-breaking home forwards prevented the development of back movements. As a result, the Grey five-eights, G. McLean and J. Gillan, were compelled to kick repeatedly for the line. The young Grey pack played well with A. May, A. Krakosky, M. Lambert and D. McKendry being to the fore in most movements. P. O’Regan, a former West Coast representative, was Inangahua’s outstanding forward, and was the best on the ground. M. Murphy, the other breakaway, also played well. In spite of an inclination to kick for touch instead of exploiting openings, E. Newcombe, the Inangahua half, gave a promising display while P. Cutbush (fiveeignths) and R. McKane (full-back) were also reliable. Cutbush kicked a penalty goal for Inangahua early in the match and shortly afterwards L. Martyn with a similar kick evened the scores. Unconverted tries by L. Fitzgerald, Murphy (penalty try) and O’Regan took the score to 12—3 when, towards the end of the match McLean scored for Greymouth after Gillan made a fine opening. Martyn converted. Inangahua had the better of the concluding stages of play. The referee was Mr W. Hunt. Marlborough to Play at Greymouth

; The Marlborough representative team, holder ol the Seddon Challenge shield, will play West Coast at Greymouth on Saturday week, September 28. Advice that..the Ma.rl- ; borough Union has accepted the invitation of the West Coast Union was received in Greymouth last evening. West Coast drew with Marlborough 8 all, in a Seddon Shield challenge match earlier in the season. Wellington Defeats Auckland (PA) AUCKLAND, Sept. 15. The Wellington representatives scored their second Rugby win of the season over Auckland on Saturday by 17 points to 9. Wellington’s success was even more clear-cut than in the previous game at Athletic Park on August 31. Tb° at half-time .was 6-3 in Auckland’s favour, but any hopes that Auckland held of winning the match were dispelled ‘early in the second half, when the Wellington forwards gainJ ed almost complete control. All the Wellington forwards played well, with perhaps Burke, Beard and O’Donnell the most conspicuous. Substituting for Paewai, Bevan, the Wellington half, gave a creditable display. Boggs, the centre threequarter, was the best of the Auckland team. Manawatu Beaten by • Wellington (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. Having more penetration in the backs, a second Wellington representative Rugby team beat Manawatu by J 11 points to 6 on Saturday. The game was played.at a fast pace, with some good movements, only sound tackling (particularly 'by Manawatu) keeping the score down. T. ,C. Morrison, the) former All Black, was outstandingin the Wellington backs.

shoulder, and P. Hardcastle, with an injured rib, will not be able to . play for a week.