LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 243, 15 October 1931, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THEIR THIRD WIN. EASTERN SUBURBS AGAIN. BRIGHT GAME AT HAMILTON.

SOUTH AUCKLAND'S GOOD DEFENCE:

Under ideal the third match of the Eastern Suburbs team was played at Steele Park, Hamilton, yesterday, and resulted in a narrow win tor the' visitors by 23 points to 14, after an interesting game in which only the extra advantage of scientific combination told against the sure tackling of the South Auckland representative side. The teams were:—

Eastern Suburbs.—Hong, Tottey, Brown, Delaney, Paillas, Norman, Pope, Stehr, R. Brown, S. Pearce, M. Nixon, P. Gillam, W. Dyer. South Auckland.—Hill, B. Paki, W. Tittleton, J. Whorskey, H. Welch, K. Peckham. Trautvettor, Menzies, H. Mason, M. Scott, Timms, A. Jackways. Within half a minute of the opening Whorskey kicked a good penalty goal, and, in play at midfield, Paillas punted through to place the visitors on the attack. D. Brown followed up in the twenty-five, and made an opening for Tottey, but the winger was cramped to the sideline. Led by Scott and Timms, South Auckland invaded, in spite of good work by Hong. Whorskey again succeeded with a goal, giving the locals a four-point lead. It was evident that the tackling of the Waikato men was giving the colours much trouble. Whorskey made a surprising interception, but Paillas replied a run, to be thrown into touch. Easts lost the advantage, as the result of a kick by Menzies to the corner. From here Stehr and Nixon, in short passing, threatened, and Hill and Peckham in turn averted the danger. However, Paillas succeeded in opening the account of the visitors with a goal. South Auckland took charge by good forward play, and Hong was caught in possession. The visiting rearguard opened out with clever concerted efforts, and a pretty movement by Pope, Norman, and Brown saw Tottey kick dead in centring. A strong left wing movement from Norman to Delaney was stayed by good tackling by Paki. Play was very open and fast, and both Tottey and Pearce featured at' times. Then Hong run up into position, and Paillas gave to Tottev, who crossed at the corner. D. Brown missed. Eastern Suburbs 5, South Auckland 4. , Sydney Six Points Ahead.

Shortly afterwards a dashing piece of play by Eastern Suburbs aroused great applause. Norman broke through from the twenty-five and Paillas accepted the pass. Whorskey attempted an interception and D. Brown went freely onwards from the quarter line to the posts. Pope converted. Eastern Suburbs 10, South Auckland 4. The home side took the initiative by aid of sterling play by Mason and Scott, the latter being momentarily hurt. Resuming. Peckham delivered a long pass from the scrum to Cotter, who cut in cleverly, but the transfer to Tittleton went astray. An attempted potted goal b.v Hill lost the positional advantage, but Scott and Jackways were soon back and Tittleton was up in time to down Norman. After being given a good pass by Welsh, Cotter kicked dead, but a penalty against the visitors for shepherding allowed Whorskey to land a third goal. Eastern Suburbs 10 South Auckland 6 From the first serum in the second half South Auckland heeled and the ball passed out to the winger, Paki, who fielded well. Welsh shone in. the inside movement that developed and. after heady• exchanges by Tottey and Hill. Tittleton and Cotter charged away and Hong forced. The visitors launched rapid handling attacks on both flanks and from one of these Tottey dived high over Hill to score sensationally. Pope missed with the kick. Eastern Suburbs 13, South Auckland 6. Easts were now playing with more abandon and the spectators were cheering the teams on. A wellcombined movement was stopped by Hi but the play swung to the other wing, where Tottey was downed by Whorskey. Jackways shifted the attack, and, following good defensive tactics by Hill, Welsh and Whorskey made a breach on the left wing. A scrum went down and the ball was, sent to Paki. but Dyer intercepted the in-pass and Pope set his back? in motion. Tottey gave a forward pass and Whorskey cleared. A smart pass by Stehr again dispatched the visitors and Tottey just got into touch. Fine Opening by Norman.

The home side was holding its own fairly well, when Norman shot like lightning through the opposition at mid-field. Paillas speedily ranged up alongside and sailed over, also goaling. Eastern Suburbs 18, South Auckland 6. An equally brilliant run was seen a moment later when Welsh completely beat Norman and Brown, and, drawing the defence, straightened for a long pass out to Paki, who side-stepped Delaney and converged to score near the posts. Whorskey goaled. Eastern Suburbs 18, South Auckland 11. The visitors were holding more command and Hong did a shattering run before handing on to Pearce. but Nixon got in front. D. Brown missed a penalty and Norman and' Brown were on hand again when Whorskey intercepted. Norman, however, was not to be denied. Again he darted away through the centre and instead of sending to a mate on his right responded to the call on his left of Pearce, who fended off Hill as he scored. Paillas converted. Eastern Suburbs 23, South Auckland 11. Hill was playing brilliantly for the locals and besides getting up once to tackle his vis-a-vis, also stopped a try by Delaney ; Gillam and Paillas were seen in attacking action, but the ball was taken to the other end of the field through good play by Trautvettor and Mason. From the loose Whorskey, though hitting the flag, scored wide out and his kick was a "poster." The game ended: Eastern Suburbs 23 South Auckland 14 Mr. A. Harlock was referee. Tottey, as a special compliment for the occasion, captained the visitors, who, prior to the match, were welcomed by ,the Mayor of Hamilton, Dr. F. D. Pinfold,