BRIGHT EXHIBITION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21363, 5 June 1939, Page 8

BRIGHT EXHIBITION

TEMUKA HAS NARROW WIN In a game characterised by hard forward play, Temuka defeated Celtic by three points to nil at the Temuka Domain on Saturday afternoon. Temuka’s three points came from a passing rush which culminated in Wilson using his pace to cross near the corner. As the score indicates, there was little between the two teams, and the spectators were kept in suspense right up till the final whistle. Both teams were unfortunate in losing some of their men, Celtic lost the services of McDonald who suffered a leg injury, and R. Kelly, who went off with an injured nose, while Temuka lost W. Cain who suffered an injury to one of his legs. In spite of these casualties, the game was clean throughout and both packs played the ball and not the man.

Although Temuka suffered two losses at the beginning of the season, the team has now moulded itself into a formidable combination which will definitely be a menace to Star when they next play. Celtic, on the other hand, lacked cohesion especially in the backs, who never at any stage looked dangerous. Although Celtic were for the most part on the defensive, there were occasions when Temuka were perilously near being overwhelmed by the green forwards. There was little difference in the forwards who toiled hard throughout the game and many potential scoring movements by them were unlucky not

to have come to fruition. The standard of tackling was poor.

Fitzgerald, the Celtic captain and Polhill, Temuka, were the outstanding forwards on the field. Fitzgerald’s leadership of the green pack and his hard rugged play were conspicuous throughout the game and must have had the effect of keeping the score down. Rehu, a determined and willing player, continually kept Temuka on the defensive with his short penetrating runs, and if he had had support in one stage of the game, a draw would not have been improbable. Behind the scrum McDonald had a torrid time, and was seldom permitted to get the ball away cleanly. When he did open up, Ryan either- fumbled or ran into the White pack. The steadiest of the Celtic backs was Woods. He handled well, tackled well, and kicked with good judgment. Combination was entirely lacking among the rest of the backs, and that was the cause of their ineffectiveness. Temuka won almost two scrums to one throughout the game, and Celtic would have met with more success if the side-row men had kept in the pack and used their weight instead of converting themselves into wing forwards.

Both the backs and forwards of the Temuka team produced some really bright football. Prominent among the White forwards were Polhill, Cain, Dawson, and Gilbert, all of whom were to the fore in all ucks. Dawson who played at full-back until he was transferred into the forwards, and assumed leadership of the Temuka pack and never once did the White forwards let up, but produced solid, variegated play. Emery and Wilson were the star performers in the Temuka backs and should be well to the fore when the South Canterbury team is selected. Emery, behind the

scrum, fed his backs at every opportunity, and Wilson at centre, gave a pleasing exhibition of running and kicking. Sullivan, first five-eighth, threw two chances away by indiscriminate kicking. Several changes were effected in Temuka’s team. Stewart replaced Dawson who moved into the forwards, and when Cain retired Injured, A. Gaffaney came on and Stewart went back into the pack. The game ended Temuka 3, Celtic nil. During half time the crowd were treated to a 10-minute match between two teams of midgets, whose tackling was a pleasing change from that of the seniors. Mr c. L. Cutler was referee. TEAMS FOR TO-DAY Zingari Club Seniors—G. Goddard, M. Prebble, G. Thomson, S. Price, A. Bennett, W. Shewan, C. A. Slee. Juniors—G. Kirk, G. Scott, A. Skudder, D. Perry, R. Hansen, F. Barr, D. Andrews, W. Gold.