HASTINGS GAMES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 88, 30 April 1937, Page 8

HASTINGS GAMES

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Celtic Just Down Old Boys VILLAGERS WELL BEATEN ~ \

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Two different types of games were provided Hastings Rugby enthusiasts on Saturday, but main attention was directed to the meeting of Celtic and Hastings H.S.O.B., malnly because it was on the No. 1 area and the fans had the benefit of the. shelter from the westerly wind afforded by the stand. Hastings enthusiasts were Tewarded .with a keen struggle between Celtic and Hastings H.S.O.B. for. braving the keen wind on Saturday. For threo parts of the game the Celta were delinitely on top and appeared due for a surprisingly easy victory, but Old Boys, after a very belated settling-down came to light and at one stage actually drew level with their opponents^ but finally were worsted by a narrow margin. Celtic were consistent rather -than spectacular and both divisions functionea well, though it could not be said that the rearguard was in any way brilliant. On the other hand once the ex-students did get into their stride they were more spectacular, with indivldualism very much to. the fore. The most prominent member of the Old Boys backs was McCarthy who played very soundly at full-back and in addition Tevealed initiative and enterprise. Next on the list of prominence was Holt, but purely for his poor hahdling. He suffered an off-day. In the opposing division Pullen and To-

moana were the best, but all the line went well as a combination. The Celtic forwards took the majority of the honours. In the tight they worked lilce trojans with Hannigan, Kelly and Bennett the hardest workers and in the open Bowers was supreme. The Old Boys forwards were an even lot with Denton, Eord and Irwin perhaps a shade better than their comrades. Marists in Form. Marists had no great difficulty in coming out comfortable winners over Havelock North, and the title-holders gave a most impressive showing in evory phase of the game. They were greatly superior to the Villagers, even though the latter were in better form than the previous week. The champions have a real acquisition in Hansen, formerly of "Wellington, who was the key-man in their back movements. Closely associated ' with him was* White, Northern Auckland Maori, who gives promise of also being a most useful acquisition. He spoilt the good impression created in the early part of the game by his poor handling, being inclined to be bustled when on the defence. Moss and Benson combined well, with Moss showing good initiative at times. There was no outstanding player in the Village backs, their best being Davis and Cargil Joll. The Village forwards played their usual tenacious game, with Russell, Eerguson and A. Joll the more prominent, but as a pack they were not as impressive or elfective as the Marist eigkt who were in great fettle, particularly in the loose and the sweeping rushes. J. O'Brien, Ireland and Hargreaves were good leaders all through, and the last-mentioned also performed excellently with the boot, his goalkicking being first-rate. '