BIG WIN FOR M.A.C.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 169, 19 August 1929, Page 4

BIG WIN FOR M.A.C.

CELTIC DEFEATED AT HASTINGS. A RUNAWAY VICTORY. At Nelson Park, Hastings, M.A.C. scored a runaway victory over Celtic in the semi-final of the Lane Cup competition. Celtic kicked off and rushed downfield, where off-side play gave tliem a penalty wliich proved abortive. In the ensuing play, Eddy kicked up in the loose and fly-kicked, but was knocked down following up and Hapi, picking up, saved tlie situation for the Blues, finding touch well down. The Green forwards brought play back, however, but the wind beat them and in a series of line-outs M.A.C. brought the ball into C-elt territory, where Potaka forced, bringing relief. From the kicl? out the Greens carne back to the attack and haminered hard, but the M.A.C. backline flhshed into action vigbt in tbe goal-moutli and tbe ball was got safely away . A little later Hapi had a chance to place a penalty from lialfway for M.A.C., but just failed with a great attempt. _ M.A.C. were now fully alive, however, and from now on took the offensive. Twice forward rushes nearly carried them over and then, from a loose scrum on the line, the ball flashed out along the whole line of backs for Hapi to score. He failed to convert his own try. M.A.C ... 3 Celtic 0 At this stage, Eddy, of Celtic, nursing an injured shoulder, dropped back to full-back. M.A.C. took contro] of matters again from the kick-off. Crawford picked up in the loose and showed off his great pace in a spectacular burst down the field and from the resulting movement Maile scored. Hall's kick failed. M.A.C 6 Celtic ... 0 A little later a breakaway by Rei for M.A.C. looked dangerous, but after making a splendid opening his pass out went wide and the movement broke down. Then Maile made another similar dash, but Eddy grassed him and same downfield himself, bringing play into the M.A.C. twenty-five. where a penalty for obstruction gave Celtic a chance. Fitzgerald's kick was unsuccessful, however. Eddy . went off at Following this, M.A.C. took complete control of the game and went over twice in _ quick succession, Thompson and- "Hapi being the sco-rers and tlie latter try being the result of a magnificent solo run. Neither try was converted. M.A.C 12 Celtic 0 Half-time came shortly afterwards with the score still unchanged. In the second spell the superiority of M.A.C. was even more pronQunced than in the first half. Except in one or two instances Celtic never looked dangerous, whilst MiA.C. were continually on the offensive, and added to their total with tries by Crawford, Maile, Hapi, Davis and TVil Kare, two of which were converted by Hall, the final score being: M.A.C 31 Celtic ... 0 Mr R. Haldane was in charge.