FOOTBALL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 434, 6 May 1932, Page 7

FOOTBALL

THE CENTRAL DIVISION THURSDAY'S RESULTS CELTIC 14, CARDIFF 3 The game on Victoria Park, Stratford, yesterday between Celtic and Stratford juniors; resulted in a verdict for back play on the part of the former. During the first spell Cardiff had the territorial advantage, the work of the forwards being responsible for the sustained attack, but gradually. Celtic found their feet and the backs opened out. It. was not until just on, call of time that Celtic were able | to score, a, penalty goal being kicked. ~.-., . The second spell was not so one-sid-ed as the scoring would indicate,; as the hillmen'frequently set up vigorous attacks, and had bad luck on several occasions. They were -'-no match, however, for the more versatile back players of Celtic, and science in handling the ball in the open accounted for their downfall —three tries (one converted) and a penalty goal were scored by Celtic, to one try by Cardiff. The weather was fine and there was a fair attendance of the public. The Teams Cardiff (black and white)—W. Hancock; Robson, Shannon, Kemsley; Mooney, Lehmann; Babington; Purdie, Huckstep, Espin; A. Bennett, White; Petersen, Verney, E. Bennett. Celtic (white and green)—Cook; Elgar, Carryer, Jones; McMillan, S. Sullivan; M, Sullivan, Stevens, Bourke, Withers, Holden, Pettigrew; Richardson, Hills, Haselden. Mr. C. Pellowe refereed. ■

Play for the first ten minutes was a series of tight scrums and lineouts, Cardiff working into Celtic's territory and being driven back. For offside play on the part of a Green back, A. Bennett made a good attempt at goal, the ball going high over the post. Cardiff then worked to the line, but were penalised, and Celtic pushed the advantage gained into the Blacks' territory. Then Jones marked a kick by Hancock, and had a shot at goal, but failed, and a free gave Cardiff relief. A penalty kick from an easy angle was missed by Cook. Celtic backs attempted to open up the play whenever possible, but Cardiff's tackling was sound, and little ground was • gained. However, one passing movement by the Celtic back started from a scrum at half-way, and went right across to Jones, who was tackled well by Hancock ten yards from the line. Cardiff forwards relieved, and after being given another anxious few minutes carried play quickly to the opposing line. In attempts to get over by passing, the backs failed and Celtic gained ground rapidly. Jones centred from tlie twenty-five flag and hot work ensued on the line, the ball going across and being kicked into the dead ball area. Cardiff broke through to the twenty-five, .but were sent back. The Ceitic : backs passed smartly and were stopped near the line when Kemsley marked cleverly and saved the situation. Play was in Cardiff's territory, the Celtic backs being unable to break through, though repeated passing movements opened well., Cardiff forced' quickly after a good passing rush. Still attacking,'' Jones took a penalty kick in front of the goal and put it over as half time sounded: Celtic ..■'.'. ..." ........ 3 Cardiff ..' .. .... .... .'.•' 0

The second spell was a repetition of the first for a quarter of an hour, the ball travelling up and down field with interesting changes. Gradually Celtic assumed control and at the twentyfive line Elgar claimed but was not given a mark: He initiated a passing rush after a good run, passing out to McMillan, who sent on to M. Sullivan to score near the corner. Cook's kick failed (6—o). Cardiff rushed to Celtic's line and the defenders forced. Replying after the kick-out, three or four Celtics went together to the line, where Haselden scored at the corner. Jones took the kick at goal and failed (9 —0). Cardiff forwards played with dash, beating the defence and Verney scored. A. Bennett's kick failed (9 — 3). ' . On kicking out, Huckstep mulled the return, and the Greens were on him. A free kick to Celtic was missed by Cook, and a scrum fifteen yards out from the line was formed. The ball came cleanly to Sullivan at half, and a passing bout across the back line left Elgar a clear run in. Jones succeeded with the kick (14—3), Cardiff continued to play vigorously and narrowly missed scoring as the result of a fine forward rush, Verney being unable to touch down before the ball reached the deadball line. Celtic 14 Cardiff 3