Takaka Claims Rugby Title

Takaka clinched the 1972 Nelson Bays' rugby club championship with a 19-12 win over Celtic, in a thriller at Takaka. For Celtic the match was a bitter disappointment and the result dashed their hopes of winning the title for the first time in 27 years. Not until the final 10 minutes was the match sealed. Final points in the championship were: Takaka 20, Nelson 18, Celtic and Wanderers 17, Rival and N.C.O.B. 16, W.O.B. 14, Huia 12, Murchison 10, Rangers 8, Riwaka 4, Stoke 2, and Motueka United. (Pictures: Barry Simpson).

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Takaka's first five-eight, Alan Hope, has the Celtic boys guessing as he makes a dash, with the ball under fingertip control

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A feature of the match was the tremendous lineout work by Celtic's Terry Julian. Here, with both feet well off the turf, he leaps for another fine two-handed take

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Mrs Garth Prince and the Takaka mascot both seemed happy at the outcome

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Celtic winger Ross Fenemar clears under pressure