OLD BOYS BEAT CELTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18208, 2 October 1933, Page 8

OLD BOYS BEAT CELTS

PREMIER CUP SEMI-FINAL A LOW SCORING MATCH A total of 32 points was registered in the semi-final Rugby football match of the Premier Cup series played iby Old Boys and Celtic at the. Oval on Saturday afternoon, the Old Boys team winning 'by three unconverted tries to one unconverted try. The game was nut, a, particularly good exhibition of Rugby, though the forwards ot both teams worked hard and displayed a vi ry keen interest in the outcome. Both sets of backs were lacking in enmbination and penetrative force, and made little use of the numerous opportunities that came their way, with the result that the public, represented by onlv a moderate number of spectators, was afforded little in the way of spectacular movements.

There were rpiite a number of incidents among the forwards, especially ’towards the end of the game, when tempers were fraying under the pressure of a tight forward scramble, but nothing of a serious nature developed, and none of the numerous stoppages for injuries could be put down to rough tactics’. la the Celtic team, Rodgers and Dalton were both replaced, the liisr before the game had gone tar on its 'course and Dalton well on in the second half. Rodgers hurt his right hip as the. result of a crossInrtfork throw ia which (!. Pocock, of the Old Boys’ team, specialises; while Dalton’s injury amounted to slight concussion, occasioned when lie and an opponent collided while going for the ball, both falling heavily. The ground was not as hard, as it has been on more than one occasion this season, but heavy falls took their toll nevertheless, and tackling right through the game "’as on the solid side. M UR LA XI) IX TUB PACK An interesting feature, ol the match was it he appearance of G. Murland among the Celtic forwards. The green pack was a bit, short of seasoned senior players, and Murland tilled a gup mofil credit ably, his quick early pace and determined running with the ball giving his opponents a great deal, of trouble. lie was largely responsible for the difficulty Old Boys found in getting their bucks going, and his out-and-out methods of tackling were hard mi the inside backs of the opposing learn. He got more chances to prove his value in the forward work than ho would have had in his accustomed wing position, though he found the pace a trifle 'lrani to sustain in the second half of the game.

The Celts scored the first try well on in the first half. They played from the seaward end at the start, and spent most of their time, in the. Old Boys’ end of the field. Pocock and Dow were largely instrumental in minimising the eflects ot the Celtic, forward rushes, and for a. long time the defenders’ line was held intact. It was a bungled reception of a crosskick from Sexton, by the Old Hoys’ right wing, that gave the -greens t licit first real opportunity, and Murland dived into the opening with his acc.us■lomed vigor. lie secured the ball, and when tackled he slipped a good pass in Hale, who was tackled in turn on the line, but managed to register a score. The kick was disallowed, and Celts led 11—U.

It was not long before Old Boys 'equalised, McPhail putting the side in a good attacking position with a punt from near midfield. Old Boys penetrating the Celtic 25-yd. area with a hard forward rush, and carrying the ball over the goal-line front a line-out. Thomas was successful with a dive for a try. as the ball went over, and the kick' failing, half-time found the score 3-all.

OLD BOVS TANK THE LEAD On the change-over, Old Boys’ forwards began to assert their superiority, and drove back their opponents consistently for several minutes. Hewson, the Celtic fullback, getting plenty of work to do, and the defence owing much to Hale*, who was everywhere as his services were needed.

The. most spectacular incident of the match furnished Old Bovs with their second try. a. quarter - of an hour after the interval, when Poeock sent F. Martin off on the left wing, with plenty of room to work in. The fleet winger ran round two forwards who tried to intercept him. then swerved infield, leaving two other Colts outside him. Speeding along determinedly, he was tackled on the line, but grounded the hall in the goal area after a splendid run. The kick again failed, but Old Boys now had the lead, and looked like winners.

They put the issue beyond doubt a little later, when, from a forward rush near the 25-vd. line in Celtic territory, Moorhead dribbled the ball into the goal area, and followed fast. A defending player dived on the ball, but failed to hold it, and Moorhead was given a fairlv easy try near the posts. The luck again went astray, and the. score. Old Boys 9. Celtic 3. remained unchanged to the finish. The losers staged a good recovery in the last few minutes, but were unsuccessful in their effort to add to their tally.

For the winners, Harrison. McPhail. Coates, and Moorhead were the best ol the forwards, and Pocoek, Martin and Dow did host among the hacks, with tattler shilling spasmodically at halfback. The best of the Celtic forwards were McKinley.' Mill-land, and Creen. Rodgers also playing his usual good game until retired injured. The Celtic backs were not a strong lot on Hie day, and the honors there went to Halo, Airoy ami llcwson.

'Pile game was refereed by Mr. lv. Corbett,, with general satisfaction.