RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 26 August 1946, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Celtic Win Championship bright display at rugby PARK After holding a territorial advantage over the greater part of the game Celtic gained a well merited victory over Cobden by eight points to nil, to claim the West Coast championship for the first time. .The main ground at Rugby Park was heavy following the recent rains and in patches there was mud ankle deep. Despite the conditions, the game was fast from first whistle to Fast, and under adverse conditions, both sets of backs handled well. For Celtic, O’Callaghan played his best game to date this season, and was prominent in every attacking movement. Throughout the day he backed up solidly, and the try he gained was well merited. Fitzgerald at full-back was also sound, and his positional play and handling over the day left, nothing to be desired. Millett, Howell and Rea were also well up to form, Rea on the "wing making several good openings. In the pack, Cloake, Constable and Butler were always in the van, with McNamara gaining a fair share of the set scrums. For Cobden, Lindbom at full-back gave another good display, and on many occasions saved his side from trouble. Olsen at first five-eighths was always dangerous, and Strachan at second five-eighths was sound on defence. At half-back, Horrack gave good service. Lawson and Vaughan on the wings never received many chances. Krawkosky and May made their presence felt at all times, the former breaking fast to have Parry, the Celtic half, in trouble on many occasions. Mettrick, playing in the front of the line-outs, was one of the best forwards on the ground, while Birchfield gave his usual sound display. Marley and May were also prominent throughout the day. THE PLAY At the outset, Cobden carried the game deep into Celtic territory, but sound handling by Howell, O'Cullaghan and Millett relieved the position, and the game settled in mideld. ’ From hard rucking, Parry and Howell set the green backs away again, and a try seemed likely when Fitzgerald raced up to kick past Lindbom, but the ball carried on over the dead-ball line. From the drop-out Silcock gained possession, and drew the opposition to make an opening for Millett who was unlucky not to score after a strong dash down the touch-liner The Cobden forwards, breaking fast, gave Parry, at halfback, few chances, Krawkosky showing to advantage in preventing the green backs from developing many attacking movements. Further rugged forward play saw Parry get the ball away to Howel who cut past Olsen and Horrack and a try seemed certain when he handed on to Constable, but the latter was called back for a knock-on. Still forcing hard, Celtic remained deep in Cobden territory, and although hammering on the line, were unable to break through. ’ Fitzgerald gave his forwards a chance with a well placed kick, but Harker misjudged the distance, and once again the ball went over the dead-ball line. Play returned to mid-field, Lindbom gaining considerable ground with sound kicking to relieve Cobden’s position, and following up this advantage, the red forwards with Thompson, Mettrick, and Marley prominent, carried the game to Celtic. Willing play on the twenty-five yard line saw the Cobden pack gaining but when in a handy position, an infringement for off-side play gave O’Callaghan the opportunity to return the game to halfway. Celtic backs, getting the better of the exchanges, made more ground, but the Cobden pack with the ball at. their toe, reversed th fortunes and play settled once more on the Celtic line with May, Birchfield, Mettrick and Thompson hammering hard Hooking the ball, McNamara gave Parry the ball to send the backs away and allow Celtic to clear, but Lindbom gathered in and his ctntrin°’ kick was snapped up by Silcock who handed out to Millett, who made a strong run with Silcock and O’Callaghan in full support. With only the full-back to beat, Silcock fumbled the pass, and the forwards again took over. From a melee in the twenty-five, Rea made an opening for Silcock, but he again fumbled, and Olsen kicked over the dead-hall line. The half-time whistle saw no score. The second spell opened at a fast pace, Celtic making a hot attack and hammering on the line the first minute. Willing forward play, with neither sets of backs getting a chance, followed Parry finally handing out to O’Callaghan, on to Silcock and out to Mileltt, who beat Lawson to dive over for a goo try close to tjie posts.. O’Qaillaghan convertecbringing the score to, Celtic s—Cobden Nil In ensuing play Celtic again gained a territorial advantage, Vaughan taking a mark in front of the posts, saving a dangerous movement from developing. His kick was not allowed as he failed to kick over the mark, and from the resultant scrum, Rea made a splendid bid when he received from Parry on the blind side, but what appeared a certain try, was disallowed because of an infringement. Rugged forward play with Butler, Cloak, McNamara and Constable showing well for the green pack, and Thompson Birchfield and McGee for Cobden, saw Celtic rake back, O’Callaghan snapping up the ball and having an attempt at a field-goal. The ball went wid*e. The next points came when O’Cai laghan gained possession and kicked high for his forwards. Lindbom failed to collect and Millett and’ Silcock following up fast were also beaxe by the bounce, O’Callaghan raking in to d’ive over for a try. He failed to convert. Hard forward play in mid-field followed, Olsen playing a sound game at first five-eighths for Cobden setting his side on attack, when he found an opening with a long kick down the touch-line. Vaughan raced up and, gained possession, but the referee ruled touch-in-goal, and the game returned to the twenty-live. Silcock and O’Callaghan worked a scissors movement to send’ Celtic off on a last minute attack, but Lindbom cleared, ana’ the final whistle saw Cobden attacking with

ithe score at I Celtic B—Cobden Nil ' Referee: Mr M. R. Bunt. UNITED BEAT STAR In a rugged game, confineci for the most part to the forwards. United gained their second victory in the one round competition by defeating Star by 18 points to nil. The ground was in bad condition, but despite this, and the fact that the ball was greasy boh sets of backs made some good movements. The scorers were Leach, Gillan, Richardson, and Golding (tries), and Dewar (three conversions). Referee: Mr R. Ferguson. v MATCHES AT NELSON P.A. NELSON, Aug. 25. At Rugby the Central Hawke’s Bay touring team beat Nelson by eight points to three. The first day’s results in the intercollege Rugby tournament were:— Nelson 8, ibeat. Christ’s College •6; Wanganui 16 beat Wellington 0. In the curtain-raiser to the rep. match, Celtic third grade, Nelson defeated Celtic fourth grade, Greymouth, by nine points to eight. OTHER MATCHES The results of other fixtures were as follows:— Junior: Cobden 8, beat Magpies 3; Celtic beat Te Kinga by default. Third Grade: Tech A 12’, beat Blaketown 0. Seddon Shield GOLDEN BAY FAIL TO LIFT IT P.A. BLENHEIM, August 25. After promising, during the first, spell, to be Marlborough’s closest call of the season, the Seddon Shield challenge match with Golden BayMoteuka ended ended in an easy win for the holders. Good form was shown by the challengers’ pack. It was nullified by weakness in the backs. The scorers for Marlborough were: Croudis’, two penalties and one conversion; Bennett a try; and Jackson a try. Right on time. Bowers kicked a penalty for the challengers. The result was: Marlborough 14, Golden Bay-Motueka 3. Ranfurly Shield SOUTHLAND v. CANTERBURY DEFENDERS SUCCESSFUL P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, August 25. Before ai; enthusiastic crowd of between nine and ten thousand spectators, the Southland Rugby team successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield against Canterbury, at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon. Southland won by 11 points to 3; one converted try and two penalty goals-, to an unconverted try. Webster, the Southland full-back, scored eight of his team’s points, and Calder (half-back) scored the try. McHugh scored Canterbury’s try. The game was played in almost, ideal conditions on a very fast ground with a dry ball and fine weather. It was notable for hard exchanges among the forwards, and there were many casualties- on the Southland side. No fewer than nine Southland players received attention for injuries. One Southlander, Budd, who met Argus (Canterbury centre) in a head-on collision, retired after playhad been in progress only 15 minutes. He was replaced by R. Cody. The highlights of the play were Webstep’s display at. full-back for Southland, scintillating runs by Argus, and the outstanding performance by Cameron, a Southland front row forward. Southland’s win was- clear-cut, but Canterbury had plenty of opportunities to win. These were missed many times by their backs, who had an overlap in the passing rushes which Was spoilt by faulty handling. Canterbury’s forwards played with unusual vigour, but although the lighter Southland pack took a battering in rucks and line-outs, it was not subdued. Scrums favoured Southland, and line-outs favoured Canterbury. The visiting backs opened up the game at every opportunity. At times they threw the ball about with abandon, and they paid the penalty of reckless transfers and dropped passes. Gate receipts totalled just on £llOO.