CELTIC PACK PLAYED MAJOR PART IN WIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1949, Page 10

CELTIC PACK PLAYED MAJOR PART IN WIN

While Excelsior held a one-point lead on Celtic at half-time in the main match at Rugby Park, it was nlain that the strong wind at their backs had contributed a great deal to their success. Celtic, unhampered in the second spell, soon took the lead and went -on to a decisive victory. The play of the Celtic forwards—light but speedy—was much superior to that of the Hokitika side. Their efforts were largely responsible for Celtic’s three tries. There were some ‘ particularly bright movements among the backs. In the first half R. Fitzgerald did not play well, but improved in the second spell. His opposite, last year’s junior representative full-back, A. Wallace, kicked well, but did not handle safely. E. Andrews and R. Telfer (half-back) played steady games for Excelsior. E. G. Walker again displayed a tendency to hang on too long in an effort to beat off his opponents, and he was usually ‘•well buried” by Celtic forwards. As a result of his tactics, E. Stoop (centre) and the former Rugby League wing, D. Cropp, had little scope, but the latter made one or two good runs. Mishandling, however, cost him at least one try. Another League recruit, R. Atkinson, was the best of the Excelsior pack, which did well in the scrums, but was generally beaten in the lineouts, where T. Harker and W. Hill distinguished themselves for Celtic. Once more W. Hamilton was Celtic’s outstanding back, and he played a first-class game in all departments. J, Fitzgerald was prominent in most of Celtic’s back movements, and G. O’Callaghan was responsible for some promising dashes which failed only because of lack of support. The teams were:—

Celtic. —R. Fitzgerald; P. Conaghan, D. Lucas, H. McDonnell; J Fitzgerald, G. O’Callaghan; W. Ham-