SCORELESS DRAW

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 100, 30 March 1937, Page 5

SCORELESS DRAW

SPILLANE CUP FINAL. HARD-FOUGHT ENCOUNTER. In a match packed with action, and displaying much better form than might bo expected at this time of the year, the holders of the Spiliane Trophy, Gisborne Celtic, fought a scoreless draw with St. Patrick's, Palmerston North, on the Showgrounds Oval yesterday afternoon. This was only St. Patrick’s third year in the competition and the manner in which they held their opponents from scoring, and at the same time made their own presence felt, thrilled the big crowd that attended. The teams were as follow: St.. Patrick’s (green and white). — Richards, McKewen. If. Gillespie, Hehir, M. Gillespie, Brinsden. Edlin, Madgiviek, Simmonds, W. Powell, Mikkelsen, Tippett. Heene.v, Fell, Kelli her. Gisborne Celtic (red, white and blue). Vincent, C. McKinley, W. MeAnenev, A. McAnenev, Solomon, Yates, Milligan, J. McKinley, Barty, Steel, F. McAneney, L. Turnbull, Turnbull, Matheson, Tippett. Having the advantage of the wind Gisborne presented a fine forward pack to St. Patrick’s in the initial stages, but it was even going, and mainly through the instrumentality of Powell the trophy challengers gave as good as they got. Territorially the advantage lay with the visitors after the initial skirmish, but when A. McAneney got within scoring distance he was forced out. Celtic continued to hold their ground till Mclvewen relieved with a long kick, the leather going to M. Gillespie, who was well within the visitors’ territory when a forward pass gave the defenders relief. Madgiviek was doing his share fog St. Patrick’s in the ruck, but it was imppssible to transfer operations from midfield till a free kick by Powell saw the greens

| invade Celtic ’ territory. The pace was a cracker, but infringements kept St. Patrick’s at bay time and again when it seemed Madgwick had only to cross , the line. The Celtic tackling was dead- . ly, but as a counter St. Patrick’s lorwards were imperturbable. McKewen put in some nice work, but fumbling in a passing rush nullified his efforts. Rain commenced to fall at this stage, , but the pace became even hotter. In a ■ willing tussle Powell sustained a leg ’ injury, but did not retire, and was instrumental in getting his forwards away again for a great invasion, which was spoiled just on the line. The home side hammered hard till half time. With the breeze assisting them, St. Patrick’s continued to force the pace and in a tussle shortly after the resumption Kclliher was forced to retire with a head injury, McCashin replacing him. Simultaneously, Vincent, who had injured his thumb in the first half, was replaced by Hughson. A heavy shower made the playing surface uncertain as St. Patrick’s pressed hard, 1 but in driving rain they were beaten ! back to he placed oil the defensive ! themselves. A series of scrummages was relieved when the leather came out to Brinsden. but his pass to M. Gillespie was not received cleanly and the homesters were hemmed in till Ryan cleared with a fine kick which found Gisborne’s twenty-five. Richards carried on the advantage in similar manner and St. Patrick’s were in a good position to score, but Powell was grassed on i the linq. Gisborne at this stage lost the services of F. McAneney with a nasty head wound, O’Connor replacing him, the incident serving as a breather and enabling tile visitors subsequently to clear their territory. Gisborne held tlie territorial advantage in a ratlier dogged display and Richards found his task as full-back a heavy one. The light was failing and the leather becoming heavy, but St. Patrick s got the hall away in a fine passing rush, to he penalised for a knock-on and forced hack. M. Gillespie sustained an injury at this stage and was replaced bv Hampton : he had put up a fine ,display and his loss was a noticeable one. Time sounded with the score unopened and it was decided that the trophv be held jointly. Mr A. Gordon refereed a hard game. BRENNAN CUP LOST.

'Hie Brennan Cup for supremacy in the 13 section changed hands when Gisborne Marist. the liotders, were beaten decisively • by Hastings Celtic in another lively ‘ match, which was played as a curtain-raiser to the big game. The teams were as follow: blastings Celtic (yellow and black). — Harvey, Garvey, Pullen, Halligan, Thompson. Brown,' Tonioana. Colebrook. McCarthy, Piper, Maaka, Greening, J. Mataira, J 3. Mataira,McHardy. Gisborne Marist (blue). —Fisken, Ryan, .Sexton. Duckworth, Quin, Swinburne, Morrison. Doyle, Rigney, Bean. Griffen, Wilkins, Green, O’Halloran. Harrison. Play opened at a willing pace and it was soon evident that the territorial advantage was resting with Hastings. However, what their forwards won for them was offset to a large extent by the splendid defensive qualities ol Gisborne. For the first 20 minutes fortunes fluctuated wildly till a penalty kick was awarded the East Coast 'fifteen. Sexton was entrusted with the shot and the leather went between the uprights to open the scoring.—Gisborne 3, Hastings 0

Half-time sounded shortly afterwards with Hastings still pressing and the tally unchanged. The second half also opened at a lively rate and Hastings forced home their territorial advantage early in the spell. ' A good opening by Pullen was turned to account when Garvey dived across near the post for a neat try. Tomoana added the extra points to nut bis side ahead. Hastings 5, Gisborne 3. The Hawke's Bay side continued to force the pace, their forwards combining most effectively to soon give Brown the opportunity he sought to get over between the posts. The kick was given to Pullen and he added the extra points easily.—Hastings 10, Gisborne 3. The pace in the closing stages was warm, and the leaders did not let up on their efforts. Their backs fed the forward pack nicely, and it was not long till Piper had the leather in his possession to dive across. Pollen succeeding with the kick. Time sounded shortly afterwards, with Gisborne losing'the cup and the score: Hastings 15, Gisborne. 3. Mr A. Ward was the referee. THE MORAN CUP. At the conclusion of the matches Miff. Ryan announced to the Press that lie had awarded the Moran Cup—for defensive qualities—to Hastings Celtic for their excellent backing up and generally good defence. Subsequent to the Snillane Cup match Kelliher and Gillespie received treatment at the Palmerston North Hospital. The former required only first-aid, but the latter, suffering from mild concussion, was still a patient to-day. His condition was reported to be quite satisfactory.