A LEVEL FINISH

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 68, 22 April 1929, Page 4

A LEVEL FINISH

GAME EVENED IN LAST MINUTE AN EXCITING END ING.

At Nelson Park, Hastings, M.A.C. and Celtic staged a game which, untii near Ihe end. was aiiything but intercsting. In tbe last minute, however, Celtic managod to mahe it a drawn game. Ihe fact tliat Celtic had five juniors anl a third grade player ra their ranks undonbtedlv robbed tho game of a eertain nmount of interest. M.A.C. kicked off against a solid wiml and for a time play liovered at centre. M'ith tlie wind helping, the (Ireens gradually worked down field, M.A.C. relieving with a foree down. Celtic continued to test the defence. T'or fullv ten minutes thev hainmered nr the Blue line, but coulcl not get | tlirougb. Then Kd'ly missed an easy penalty, M.A.C. drove the Grecns back. but tbe latter eanie again and onee more tlie siege was 011. Time after time tlie Greens were 011 the point of getting over, but tbe defence iiokl and gradually M.A.C. worked hack to centre, wliere unintere-sting hut even play took piave. Tlie Greens onee more worked to tbe danger zone, and at last their efforts were rewardrd wlien from a line scramble Hines touched down in tlie corner. Geddis' kick was charged down. Celtic 3 M.A.C 0 C'oltic again hroke away, hut failed to get far, the line kicking of the collegians holding them up. Tlie Cclts kept up tlie pressure, but tlie defence held and tbe balf-time v. liistle sounded with the score remaining : Celtic 3 M.A.C 0 M'ith the wind to help them in tbe second spell, M.A.C. quickly got bus.y. Crmsby broke away, but Rose mana'gtd to save, and with a long kick drove tho attackcrs baek to half-way. I'p and down play follnwecl and then M.A.C, got the upper hand, (lawford just boing boaten for tlie toueli down. Rugged play amongst tlie forwards ensued, M.A.O. and tbe wind having tlie hetter df the argument, hut they found the dofeueo hard to ponetrate. Over eagerness repeatedly spoilt their chances, they being penalised several times, whon right 011 the Green's line. At last Celtic cleared, Eddie making a great run, hut the houf.ee of the hall hoat him and lost him a great scoring cliance. M.A.C. attacked again, but did not appear to know wliat to do wlien the openingt offered. At last. however. success carae their way, wlien from a line out, M. Purcell secured and leaving tho Grecns stnnding, flashed over near the posts. Tho kick was disallowed. Celtic 3 M.A.C 3 Heartened hy this success, M.A.C. now swarmed all over tlie Greens, hut they were always too enger and chance after chance went astray. With only ahont five minutes left, the scores even, and M.A.C. attacking strongly, interest reached a high pitch and the game appeared to he won wlien Thompson dived over from a scrum and put M.A.C. in thc lcad. Hapi missed badly with the kick. M.A.C 6 Celtic 3 Tho finish of the game was . sensational. M.A.C. continued to fire on all cvlinders, and everv minute the whistle was expected. There was a sudden cbange, however, wlien Celtic broke away, carrying play to within five yards of the M.A.C. line. Here there was a lot of fumbling, but amidst fever lient excitement, Kcith picked up the leatber and dived over by tbe posts. After being allowe.i o free kick Geddcs failed to raise the ball, and tlie scores were even. Tlie final whistle went iinmediatcly, with tlie scores : M.A.C 6 Celtic 6 Mr W. Thurlow was referee.