RUGBY FOOTBALL CELTIC DEFEAT BLAKETOWN IN BRIGHT DISPLAY

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1947, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL CELTIC DEFEAT BLAKETOWN IN BRIGHT DISPLAY

In the brightest exhibition of the Rugby code witnessed on the West Coast for some seasons, Celtic lowered Blaketown’s colours in a tense game at Rdgby Park on Saturday. With two minutes till full-time, the score was six all, Rae paving the way for the deciding points and allowing Constable to score a well-merited try just as the final whistle sounded. The fixture attracted the largest crowd seen at the Park for a club match since pre-war days, and in a game that was packed with incident, followers of the sport were well catered for. In the early stages, Celtic gained a definite advantage by using the weight of their forwards to full advantage, and it was not until half-way through the first spell that Blaketown settled

down to constructive football. Celtic’s victory places them equal with Blaketown with six competition points, and Star’s win over United brings Cobden, Star, and United in line two points behind the leaders. Blaketown was unfortunate in losing the services of M. Thomas within a quarter of an hour’s play. McLean moving in to first live-eighth, where he played a sparkling game, often turning defence into attack, and saving his side from trouble on many occasions with judicous line kicking. He formed the spearhead of the Biakctown attack in the rearguard, and well served by Roberts at half-back, was always Celtic’s most dangerous opponent. Benyon, who played second five-eighth, gave of his best displays, his handling leaving little to be desired, smart backing up often gaining ground. Hornsby, a junior player, although inexperienced, drew the acclaim of the crowd at full-back. His kicking lacked length, but he displayed a coolness in the face of heavy opposition that averted danger on several occasions. In the pack, Walsh and A. Panther and K. Tomlinson were always in the van. This trio shone in heavy work and Walsh’s following up often had Celtic in trouble. Silcock showed a return to form for Celtic nd never let an opportunity pass. Inside him, J. Fitzgerald was always fast. His handling was sure and he co-operated well with his centre. Hamilton played an improved game behind the scrum. Rea on the left wing was also on his game and paved the way for a, bright try. In the pack, Constable

proved a solid leader, especially in willing play, where his experience was always an asset to his side. His try in the closing stages was well deserved. Butler and McNamai'a were sound in all departments, the latter proving that advantage can always be gained from fast following up, when he scored a good Uy without support. The Play Celtic attacked from the outset, their heavy forwards pushing the Blaketown pack off the ball to give the backs possession frequently in the opening stages. Silcock was unlucky not to score in the first three minutes, when he gained possession from a crisp passing movement and broke through the defence and with a sparkling run to almost reach the line. Morgan playing sound defensive football forced him out at the corner, and later cleared with a fine kick. The Celtic forwards again made the play and from a set scrum five yards from the Blaketown line, Hamilton at half-back ducked around the open side to beat the defence to score wide out. Constable failed to convert. J. Fitzgerald and Silcock were prominent for Celtic in ensuing play, but were unable to break through. In rugged play, Thoiuas. Blaketown’s captain retired injured, McLean moving into first five-eighth. The Blaketown forwards with A. and C. Panther and Walsh at the head of affairs returned the attack, McLean opening Blaketown’s account when he kicked a fine penalty goal from a difficult angle. The Blaketown forwards rallied and play settled deep in Celtic territory. Two pantlies against Celtic offered scoring chances, McLean missing narrowly in each case. McDonald made the opening for the next try, when he gained possession and kicked downfield. Walsh followed up fast and raked in the ball to dive over for a fine try. McLean’s kicked failed. For the remainder of the first, ■pell. Blaketown maintained the offensive, McLean gaining a lot of ground with judicial kicking. The half-time whistle saw no change in the score. Blaketown G—Celtic 3 In the second half, R. Fitzgerald replaced Henry at full-back for Celtic, and Hornsby a junior player, took over the full-back berth from Morgan who moved to centre for Blaketown. The equalising points came early. From a ruck at halfway Hamilton beat Nelson, handing ■on to Rea who kicked deep downfield. McNamara following up fast dived on the rolling ball for a good try. Bright open play followed, with both sets of backs handling well. Cetic were unlucky not to add extra points when Hamilton, working the blind side from a melee close to the line sent McDonnell away, but he was well caught, and a try was not allnwcid. Walsh,. Tomlinson and C.' and A. Panther in the Blaketown forwards were ever on the alert, and on several occasions, clever play changed defence to attack. In the tense final moments of the game, Rea paved the way for the winning points. Gaining possession deep in his own territory, he beat one man, and ppnted high downfield, gathering in his own kick and hand- « ing on to Constable who made no ■ mistake in scoring in a handy posi- i tion. Constable added the extras to 1 bring the score at the final whistle to:— Celtic 11—Blaketown G Referee: Mr A. Fong.

Has Big Margin Over United

In a somewhat ragged game, Star gained a twenty-five point victory over United on the No. 2 ground at Rnn-bv Park. In the first spell. Star rattled up twenty points, although nlav for a long neriod settled dean in their own territory. Scorers for Star were Sweetman (2), Nelson,

P'egley, Hayton, Steel, Dixon, and McDougall. Nelson converted two tries, and Hopkins kicked a penalty goal. For United Oxley scored a try and Glen kicked a penalty goal. The final score was:— STAR 31—United 6 Referee: Mr A. King. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Junior — Cobden 30 beat Magpies 0. Blaketown 9 beat Celtic 8. Third Grade — Cobden 18 beat Technical 16. Blaketown 15 beat Hokitika 9. f Fourth Grade— Celtic 13 beat Cobden 8. Fifth Grade — Cobden 12 beat Blaketown 3. Technical 31 beat Star 19. Sixth Grade— Cobden 20 beat Blaketown 3. Star 14 beat Celtic B 6. United 17 beat Cobden 0. RAILWAYS MATCH Playing at Westport yesterday, Westport Railways team defeated a Greymouth Railways team by 11 points to 5. Colvin and Beoms, of Westport, were the outstanding players. INANGAHUA RESULTS Senior— Waratah 18 beat Cronadun 12. Waiuta 9 beat United 0. Junction 14 beat Ikamatua 6. Third Grade — Reefton 15 beat Ikamatua 0.

Westhmd Matches

EXCELSIORS SUCCESSFUL At Cass Square Excelsiors beat St. Mary’s 22-6. E. G. Walker was outstanding, scoring two tries, and other Excelsior scorers were G. Mackay (2 tries), E. Stoop and E. Heenan, whjle Walker and J. Robinson each converted a try. T. Hanrahan (half), scored two tries for St. Mary's. A. Duncan (Excelsior forward), Gibson (five-eighth for St. Mary’s) and D. Ryan (St. Mary’s) left the field with injuries. Gibson, a newcomer, has a good knowledge of the game, and will be an acquisition. He had his nose broken. A. Adamson’s place in the Excelsior backs was filled by Tika Heenan (who plays first fiveeighth for St. Bede's first fifteen in , Christchurch), and he strengthened up the inside play with Walker, E. Stoop and Teller, and played a bright game, showing the result of careful coaching... He was able lo gahter the passes in no matter from which direction they came. The Excelsior backline had more thrust than usual. One of Walker's tries, when he bumped off several opposing players Lo score almost under the posts, was the effort of a good player. A try was thrown away by Stood when he elected to take a drop at the goal. Robinson showed plenty of initiative. The Excelsior forwards played solidly. St. Mary’s forwards appeared lo more than hald their own in the tight. Ron Weiblitz played a hard game, continually coming through with the ball at his too, and will develop into a good type of forward K. Redder gained a fair share of the ball from the scrums. Jock Tulloch, St. Mary’s full-back, took everything in his stride, and earned his place as full-back for Westland. Neve. 1 bustled, a good kick and solid tack ler, he has everything for a good full-back. Tommy Hanrahan the St. Mary half-back, can be depended upon to give-of his best, and on Saturday was. always on the job. His tries reminded one of Malcolm Davidson. Des Haddock was tried as a break-away but was over-keen and earned a few penalties. Young, with plenty of football in front of him, he wiil soon be in the top flight. St. Mary’s pack worked hard in the tight and in the .loose. Henderson was a good leader on the day. It appeared as if the St. Mary forwards were the better on the day. Agnew is a toiler, and M. Dwan goes hard from start to nish. How the game would have gone without Walker would be interesting to see. St Mary’s showed improvement and should test other teams from now on. Mr E. Olson was a capable referee. At Kokatahi the Kiwi team held the home team to a draw, each side scoring six points. Mr J. Roberts was referee. Kiwis were considered unlucky to lose the game.

At Hokitika Excelsior juniors beat St. Mary’s 8 to 3. The match was an excellent one and the standard oi play was high. At. Ross Kiwis beat Ross 5 to 3, while Kokatahi beat Pirates at Woodstock 14 to 6. In a fourths grade school match, Blaketon beat Hokitika District High School by 15 to 9. INANGAHUA REP TEAM The Inangahua Sub-Union representative team to play South Westland at Hokitika on Saturday has been selected as follows: M. Prendegast, N. Lines. M. Ward. N. Kent, T. Smith, J. Weir, E. Newcombe, M. Rosanowski, B. Neiper, S. .Beveridge, J. O’F'lahcrty, W. Dunn (capt.), W. Corcoran, B. Griffin. Reserves: M. Murphy, T. Donnelly, D. Steyzart and T. Bell.

Greymondh Team Selected to Flay Westland

The following team has been selected by Mr R. R. King to represent Greymouth against Hokitika at Hokitika next Saturday. The team will meet for training at 5 p.m. to-morrow: Full-back, J. Lindbom; three-quar-ters, K. Rea. L. Silcock. N. Sweetman: five-eighths. M. Thomas, Olsen; half-back, Roberts; front row, A. Thompson. D. McKendry, K. Tomlinson; middle row, R. Thomnson, R. B'rchfield. W. Butler, A. Panther; last man down, G. Nelson. Emergency forwards, Holme.? and Lambert; emergency backs, Gillan and Horrack.

Westbjsd Reps

Mr M. Davidson has. selected the following Westland team to play Greymouth at Hokitika on Saturday: Full-back, J. Tulloch (St. Mary’s);

three-quarters, B. Telfei’ (Excelsior), R. Stoop (Kiwis), W. Amberger (Kokatahi); five-eighths, E. G. Walker '(Ex.), P. -Hurren (Ki.); half-back, J. Robinson (Ex.); forwards, front row, C. Lewis (Ki.), G. Mackay (St. M.), R. East-gate (Ki.); locks, J. Leslie (Ki.), R. Godfrey (Ko.); breakaways, A. Johnston (Ex.), R. Weiblietz (Ko.), D. Haddock (St. M.). Emergencies: Forwards, J. Henderson, P. Eastgate; backs, M. Stoop, H. Tainui.