SPORTS and SPORTSMEN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19125, 21 September 1936, Page 7

SPORTS and SPORTSMEN

DISTRICT RUGBY

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL CELTIC-OLD BOYS DRAW BEST CLUB GAME OP 19" G CELTS TOO WOUND UP Played in an atmosphere of tense excitement, shared by player* and spectators alike, the senior championship match between Celtic and Old Boys, on Saturday afternoon, which was to have determined the premiership for the 1936 season, ended in a draw with the stoic six points all. Undoubtedly the teams furnished the most gripping game of the championship series ot the season, and if a play-ott is ordered hv the district union, as seems logical, the attendance at the Oval next Saturday should rival those of earlier representative fixtures. It, was known that. Old Boys, had determined on a supreme effort to secure the championship, and that the members of the team had been training consist-, entlv throughout, the past iortnighf, while the Celtic players also had been looking forward to the game with every expectation of being called on for a big' effort. The fact, that several of the Celtic men had been playing in the district representative team throughout tlu" season, and had been particularly active, iii recent weeks, ■ seemed to bode ill for ‘their opponents in -Saturday’s match, the indications being that tor all their keenness. Old Roys must prepare for a stinging defeat. When the teams took the field, this impression was strengthened by the disparity in the weights of the players, Celtic having a decided advantage in the forward division, and giving the impression, too. of being a shade heavier in the rearguard. Old Boys appeared to detract further from their chalices of holding the game even by choosing to plav into the wind for ihe first hall, after winning the loss, overlooking the experienoes of other days on which the wind, though fresh throughout the earlier part of the afternoon, had dropped away during the latter part of the game. The breeze ran true to form, incidentally, and after the change-over, Old Boys had little assistance, from this quarter. TWO TRIES TO ONE Nevertheless, the, match finished with the score level, and the honours lying with Old Boys, the latter having crossed their opponents’ lino twice- for tries, and Celtic having scored one try and ‘a penalty goal. Two factors influenced the course of the game particularly, the first being the excessive zeal of the Celts, and the other the first-class condition of their opponents, which enabled them to keep the pressure on right to the finish. Last year's champions might' well have won had they taken the game a little easier. Every time they got within striking distance of their opponents’ goal-line, they were handicapped by their tendency to crash through, which resulted in forward passes and knock-ons and a variety of other misfortunes, ineluding penalty kicks for off-side play. The Celts could not produce their usual form, (Simply because they were regarding the. ontealne” of the game too seriously. Their trouble was exactly that which heats many a first-class' team or individual; in other sports it is known as “pressing,” a quality of over-eager-ness which defeats ihe object, of an athlete’s effort.If the Celts seemed to he able to do nothing right, their opponents, on tho other hand, were almost unable to make an error that mattered. The one big mistake of Old Boys’ game was when a penalty kick was conceded to Celtic right in front of the goal, this kick accounting for the half'of the Celtic score. Yet the action, which gave awav tho points was no more serious than any number of other blunders made by Old Boys’ players, the difference being that it, occurred in a position where the Celts were able to profit by tho mistake. The results of other errors oil the part of Old Boys generally were negative, either an attack breaking down or the opposing side being unable to take advantage of the opening presented. triumph: for condition But for their excellent condition, however, Old Boys certainly would have suffered defeat. They turned round at half-time with the score six-nil against them, and after that they kept the game going at a pace which lott t lie Celts nothing to do but defend almost constantly. Time after time Old Boys seemed on the point of getting over tho goal-line, and as often, they were sent hack for one, reason or another. If must have been a bit. disheartening to have chaiiccs go astray so often, hut they kept trying, and eventually registered tbeir first fry right, out on the right wing, within a yard or two of the comer-ting. The chalice was opened up by CL Ilavy, but lie was bowled over before he could reach the line, and if remained for Spence to make a- spectacular dive to secure the points. The kick at goal was taken by Campbell, ■ and missed narrowly. Only three points down now, Old Boys continued their attacks, and again they came close to. success on numerous occasions before they gat over the goalline. again. Undoubtedly they were getting the “breaks” as far as play in the open field went, hut they were just unable for a, long time to finish off their efforts when they got close lo the line. They concentrated their efforts of keeping .the hall away from A. McAneney, the brilliant Celtic right-winger, and gradually the defenders shortened their line to meet the recurring attacks, leaving the line fairly open over on the oilier side of the field. OLD BOYS’ BACKS COMBINE. WELL I’or once the- Old Boys’ hacks clicked like a machine, and when, Davy threw a long pass to Campbell, and the hitler passed on to Dovi, tho Celts were caught well out- of position,. Dovi ran only a. shent. distance, and then switched the ball to Bead, his left-winger, the latter accepting the pass in lull stride and going over with great dasli amidst an unusual outburst, ot excitement, among the spectators. Campbell took the kick, and missed again', the score now being even, and remaining so to the close ol Ihe match, which occurred shortly afterwards. 1 In no other game of the season have 01,1 Boys shown such endurance and determination, 'I hey were up against a. really formidable opposition, Inl L ol power and experience, but they turned Pneumonia, lurks within each cold, Although that worst may noi unfold; Restrained Ivy instant, tirst-aid care. Its incidence is very rare. I’neunionia. when it does ensue, Will moan a. time of dread for you. Slight colds unc.ared to worse expand, Keep Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure on hand.

what looked like certain and heavy defeat into a moral victory, scoring two tries to their opponents’ one. They could not have kept the Celtic score down to six points in the first half without a good bit of luck, and the aid offered l by the Celts’ over-eagerness; it must not be lost sight of, however, that lack was not the only factor in the match. The Celts probably never felt the ground more often than in this game. Hardly a man was allowed to touch the ball without, getting a tumble, and this counted a- great deal in the decision. Dovi stood like a rock against the, sweeping rushes of the Celtic forwards and backs alike, and by his bendy work regularly prevented the ball getting out, to the opponents’ rightwinger, who was always a .source of danger if he got his hands on, the ball. In the second half the! Old Boys’ -fiveeighih was the most exhausted* man in his side, but he had done more than anyone to earn the draw. BEST OF THE PLAYERS Campbell was in great form among the forwards, and was well supported by Harrison, Fraser, ginellio, and Spence, and in the hack division Montgomery, promoted from the junior division to play tho half-hack position, gave an outstanding performance. Evans played well next, to Dovi, and Henderson, though not prominent in attack, was highly dependable on attack. Both Old Boys’ wingers, Read and Davy, played well above, their normal form, and Owen nt fullback made only the one error of any consequence. In the Celtic team, Malhesnn and Scholium were the outstanding forwards, with Steel and Rogers also prominent, and the others all working haul though less effectively. F. MeArienev had lo leave the field in the course of the game, owing to a return of the trouble which kept, ‘him out of tin match against Wanganui, and his work m tlie pack was mis.sled. W. MoAnenev played l a. good half-hack game. hut Woods and Amul.t,. the live-eighths, were unenterprising, and C. Mclyinley had to make his own chance* and those of A. McAneney most, of the time. Yates gave a good display at fullback, and R. Patty on ihe left wing, was adequate fo the demands made on him.

Probably the Celtic team would admit that while they were too keenly wound up, they were playing n. side which produced form, .well above that shown in aiiy of (be earlier matches played by Old Boys. If the latter can. produce the same form again in the event, of a replay, the uiatcli should he one of tins greatest, nt tractions of the Season. The game was refereed by Mr. N. Tasker.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS SENIOR DIVISION Thi' nliampioTvsliip point* in tlm division of i.ho I'ov'pily B«v Rugby Union's ocirnpotition spyios is ns lollo\V.;

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