CELTS’ CAPTAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22663, 14 June 1948, Page 3

CELTS’ CAPTAIN

17 OF 32 POINTS

UNION SIDE ELEVEN

Converting four of the five tries and goaling three penalty kicks, R. McKinley contributed 17 of the 32 points scored by Celtic against Union seniors, who registered 11, The match was not spectacular otherwise as most of the play was confined to the forwards,

The Celtic back line was unable to develop to capacity because of the spoiling Union forwards and the shallow positions taken up by the opposing backs. The Celtic captain, R. McKinley, was well marked but, despite that, made a number of characteristic dashes.

R. Callaghan was a useful link between the Celt half-back, T. Read, and McKinley. K. Carrington, taken from the pack to fill a vacancy on the wing, gave a good account of himself as a straight runner with plenty of penetration.

The winning pack was kept fully employed by the Union scrum'magers and those who showed out in an effective unit, were W. Carrington, I- Munro, and B. Duckworth.

With a safe pair of hands and good positional play, S. Onekawn. Ihe Union full-back, saved many awkward occasions for his side, usually finding the line well out. J. Birchnall. H. Wharcpapa. R. Huston and P. Ngaira were prominent in the forwards. Union gave away nothing in the first quarter and it was not until R. McKinley started to show that lie was really on form with his goal kicking that the score started to mount against Union. He converted two penalties in_ quick succession and when K. McLatchie took the ball out of R. Gear’s arms and went p\er the Union lino tor the first Celtic try, McKinley added the extra points-

The Union forwards hustled play deep into Celtic territory and on that occasion J. Hutton followed up well to scoop up a loose ball and open the Union scoring account with an unconverted try, the board reading—Celtic. 11; Union, 3. The next Celtic try came from a scramble near the Union line. E. Read scoring and McKinley again converting. Union pressure was again exerted and W. Carrington was beaten by a bounce near his goal-mouth for J. Taingahue to snap it up and dive over. J. Pewhairanei converted, making the score — Celtic, 16; Union 8. From that point Celtic started to pile on points. E. Woodford sent W. Edwards away for the latter to score, McKinley failed with that kick, but soon after goaled another penalty. K. Carrington touched down under the Union cross-bar and McKinley again converted. making the score—Celtic, 27; Union, 8.

For Union, T- Nope made a breakaway run to score another unconverted try. Woodford registered the last, try of the day for Celtic, McKinley converted and the final score stood at 32 points to 11. Mr. F. W. Bayliss was the referee.