RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 159, 21 June 1935, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CLUB COMPETITION Keen Fight lor Leadership CELTIC BEAT M.A.C. (By “Omni.”) It is not always the case that anticipated pleasures comes up to the anticipation, but no complaint in that respect can be made of the game between M.A.C. and Celtic in Hastings last Saturday. The public rolled up enthusiastically to see it, in spite of the races and the excursion to Wellington, and 'were expecting something good. They certainly got it, for it was a thrilling game apart altogether from its character as one of the decisive matches of the season.

Although it would be too positive an assertion to say that the Maoris could have won the game if they had been wister in their tactics, it certainly is true to say that they stupidly threw away many a good chance of scoring. Throughout the game, and especially in the last quarter of an hour, when they were playing with a large supply ot second wind, they had lhe game within their grasp, aud to their supporters it must have been disconcerting to see them, after their forwards had broken through with wonderful dash and skill, and after their backs had got away on potential scoring movements, kindly, so Celtic must have thought, instantly, and irremediably, undo all their hard work by kicking to the Celtic full-back, Simon, who was standing well back in anticipation of the inevitable gift of the ball, and thus losing the possession that they had fought so desperately and successfully to obtain. The Maoris’ Loss.

Had their skipper, Tore Reid, been there the game might have had a different result, and assuredly he would have guided them a little more shrewdly. His absence was a great loss to the Maoris. Te Ngaio played a relentless and tireless game, and was at the head of everything that the forwards did, either in attack or in defence. He was the best forward on the ground that afternoon, and Calnan, Celtic, was little behind him. Among the M.A.C. hacks, McKay and Kuru were outstanding, as were Geddis and Simon for Celtic. Simon was very useful and sure in the fullback position, and handled the ball with brilliance on occasions.

What has been said in respect of the Maoris’ failure is nut intended to detract from Celtic’s win, though it was obtained only by kicking. Honour is due to those who have the enterprise and the quickness of thought, and the suroness of foot, to drop two such goals as Geddis and Galgey got for Celtic. Celtic did not make the mistakes that M.A.C. made, and deserve credit for their victory in what was a grand and memorable game. This critic must confess to having committed a very natural and reasonable sin of omission in not taking as much notice of the Ilastings-T.C.0.8. game as he would have done had it not been for the excitement on the other ground. Nevertheless, he saw enough of it to justify the criticism that though it was a bright game in patches, it lacked dash and sparkle to a great degree.

Here and there both rearguards brightened up the match with well executed passing bouts, but there was too much untidiness in the passing of both sides for the greater part of the game. One of the few spectacular events was the kicking of a penalty goal by Brown, of T.C.0.8., from almost halfway. The conditions obtaining in the matter of weather made the feat quite remarkable. Referees’ Corner. Offside Rule (advantage rule applies) : A player i s offside (a) if lie enter the scrummage from ms opponents’ side, (b) It while the ball is m a scrummage, he not being in the scrummage, remain with either loot in Iront ot the ball. Attention of readers is drawn to the word “remain.”( c) Lt when the ball is thrown in from tom b he stand in front of a line at rigntangles to the touch-line from whence the hall is thrown. This applies only to the touch-line from whence the ball is thrown. This applies only to players participating iu the liue-out; thus it is not necessary that a player before throwing the ball from touch should wait until the players of his own team have returned to or behind tho liueout. Any bleach of the above carries a penalty kick. (d) If in his own in-goal he is iu front of one of his own team who is taking a free kick or penalty kick from behind the goal-line. (Otherwise a player cannot be offside in bis own in-goiil.) Lu this case the referee shall m ier a scrummage five yards from the goal-line opposite the mark. ie) If tl.e tall has been kicked or touched or is bi g carried by one of his own team behind him. No offside player shall play the ball or in any way obstruct an opponent, or approach or wilfully remain within 10 yards of an opponent waiting fir the ball. This breach carries the option of a kick at the place of infringement, or scrummage where the ball was last played by the offending team. The same penalty applies to a player calling “all on” or words to that effect when any member of his team is offside. _ If the ball or a player carrying it touch a player who is accidentally offside, a scrummage shall be ordered.