FAST SECOND HALF

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 72, 12 April 1937, Page 9

FAST SECOND HALF

Napier H.S.O.B. Defeat Celtic by 16-10 Although they received a bad fright late in the second spell, when they were called upon to produce ihe best their det'enc© could offer, Napier H-S.O.B. defeated Celtic at McLean Park, Napier, by 16 points to 10. Taken as a whole, the game was a fine exhibitiou of Rugby, and, although Old Boys were definitely on top in the first half, Celtic came to light after the interval, and for a time it looked as if the match was theirs. The handling of both teams was good, and the forwards showed evidence of hard training and a high standard of fitness.

The teams were: — Napier H.S-O-B,— M. Hutchinson ; BHawkins, W. Macey, G. Cox; J. Marr, L, Bradley ; L, Clothier ; G. Amner, H. Crawford-Smith, R, Ennor; W. Clothier, N. Willis, lt. Bishop, E. Cox; J. Craig. Celtic- — D. Simon; M. Garvey, DL'ullen, V. Halligpn; P. Brown, 11. Thompson; H. Tomoana; L, Hannigan, J. Mataira, B. Piper; J. McCourt, D. Maaka, G. Harvey, E. Rollinder ; A. Bowers. The first 20 minutes of the. game revealed that Old Boys' backs were a formidabie weapon of attack. Their first try was the result of excellent handling trom Clothier behind the scrum right out to G. Cox on the wing. Celtic' s defence was patehy, several of the backs failing to take the long and short punts on the i'ulb Smion, at full-baek, however, mad© few xnistakes. Old Boys' second try was registered five minutes .before half time. It came after the home forwards had pushed Celtic back to within their own twentyfive. Willis snapped up the ball, sent it ou to Bradley, to Marr. The lastuamed cut out the centre three-quar-ter. Macey, thereby giviwg Hawkins, on the wing, an unobstructed passage across the goal-line to the eorner. As in the case of Gox's try, Hutchinson iound tlic angle too great and his kick missed. Celtic' s second excursion towards Old Boys' line proved succesSful, when from a free kick Maaka followed up with the rest of the forwards and scored.

Pullen converted. Almost immediately after the kiclsoff Old Boys' forwards pushed down field and Amner kicked through, gained pqssession and scored well "out. Hutchinson' s "kick was successful, aud interval was sounded soon after with Old Boys in the lead by 11 to five. When Pullen scored and converted bis own try shortly after the resumption, placing Celtic only one point behind, the game took an exciting turn. Celtic opened up their game and the spectators were treated to some fast and even football. Old Boys got a bad fright 15 minutes after the interval when. following a sqund back movement, Celtic' s forwards hammered away at the Old Boys goal-mouth and all but scored on two occasions. A smart run by G. Cox from half-way solved the immediate problem, however. He scored near the eorner and Hutchinson converted, placing Old Boys six points in the lead. Thq closing stages of play saw Celtic definitely on top, and they were unlucky not to pass Old Boys' total. Pullen should have reduced the lead by three points, but a penalty kick from a fairly easy position went wide. The scorers were: — Napier H.S.O.B. Q. Cqx (two tries), Hawkins (one try), Amner (one try), Hutchinson two conversions. Celtic: Maaka (oue try), Pullen (one try an4 two conversions). Mr A. McGlashan refereed.