A NARROW VICTORY w

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 211, 20 August 1934, Page 3

A NARROW VICTORY w

NAPIER O B. BEAT CELTIC.

The main attraction at Hastings was the meeting of Celtic and Napier Old Boys. The game was not a particularly good one, Celtic being very much off colour and Napier Old Boys weakened by the absence of nearly half the usual side away with the representatives. Despite this big handicap Napier Old Boys emerged the victors by a margin af two points. Within two minutes of the start Celtic were pressing hard. The forwards took play to past 'the quarter-way and then handed over for the backs to figure in action, Alvy Bennett racing over for a good try. J. James failed with the kick. —Celtic 3, Napier 0.8. 0. The home side came back, but Old Boys were not to he caught napping so easily again and hard tackling Kept Hastings out of the danger zone. A series of short rushes and judicious use of the touch-line enabled Old Boys to attack hotly, the ball rolling into touch in goal. Celtic again took up the attack, only to be driven back and play swung between the quarter-ways with Celtic having slightly the better of matters. Following up a free kick the Old Boy forwards broke away, Griffiths, Stewart and Ellis indulging in a good passing bout for the ex-three-quarter to score and convert a try between the posts.—Napier Old Boys 5, Celtic 3. Even play ensued for a time, both (ides keeping the forwards working hard. Gradually Celtic took up the attack, J. James taking a futile kick at goal, then Calnan and Large almost broke through, Hawkins making a fine gave. Celtic continued to have slight ly the best of matters until the interval. the score being unchanged nt 5—3. Shortly after resumption Old Boys pressed strongly, the forwards going hard. From a sernm Willis broke away to score, Ellis just failing to convert Napier 0.8. 8. Celtic 3. After this reverse Celtic took up the attack, the backs being brought into better use. Though twice penalised when in the quarter-way they kept un the pressure. James took a futile kick st g n al and a minute later Hawkins had to concede a force to the fast following un Celts. Slowly the pressure eased but was later renewed by the forwards, who pressed hard under 'the bar. A five-vnrd sernm was ruled and in this Old Boys were penalised. Jan es kicking an easy goal.—Celtic 6. Nap.cr 0.8. 8. Celtic came back, but were penalised then a long kiek through by Whitcomb was followed up by %nstin, who serf Holt over for an unconverted try. — Nanier 0.8. 11. Celtic 6. Blay swung up and down the field, a tfargernus Crith- n o, - ' "--'t being spoilt

by off-side play. Then Thompson made a hasty force to save Celtic from con ceding a further try. There was then a sensational run by Palmer, who had replaced Hassett just before the inter val, the junior recruit breaking away from outside the 25 to score a great try. James missed equalising the scores and the game ended: Napier 0.8 11 Celtic 9 Mr A. Kirkpatrick refereed.