LEAGUE VISITORS;

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 19 September 1938, Page 10

LEAGUE VISITORS;

EASTERN SUBURBS.

ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIANS.

THREE GAMES IK AUCKLAND.

To Play a series of three matches! a-ainst local Rugby League club aides, the Eastern Suburbs team, runners-up in this seasons Sydney premiership, arrived bv the Monterey this morning. There were 10 players in the party, under the management of Mr. John Quintan, secretary of the club and a member of the management committee of the New South Wales Rugby League. Mr. Quintan has been on that committee for 29 years. "We have had a phenomenal season, taking all factors into consideration said Mr. Quintan this morning. 'At the start of the season we had to reorganise the whole of the back line. r -> ot, " a litavers in the code, such as V iv Inicknesse, Norman, Beaton, Dowling, 'lottey and McLaughlin, had retired or were unavailable. In spite of this early setback wo recruited come fine young players, who tacked only playing experience- , ... ~ "So well did the team play that they defeated Jtalmain and South Sydney in the semi-final games, being just ben ton by Cantcrbuiv-Bankstown in the final premiership match. That was the best game of the season," Mr. Quintan added. "At ten minutes before time we were leading C —4. Just before the end, howover, our opponents scored a converted try and carried on to get another. Our i two five-eighths, Pickup T and *' Powk-y, were both out of the side that day, and

the occasion was too much for the two replacements. If the men mentioned had been in, we would have won."

Two weeks prior to this Eastern Suburbs held Canterbury-Bankstown to a draw on their own ground, playiirr 12 men all the second half. If i they t had won the final'it would have been?the club's most successful season*yet, \ even though, to date they have won v seven premienships. ; . J. j. » Captain .■ of the , team : , is ■ Ray Stehr, Australian front-row-forward, and other internationals to. make the'trip; are *H.' Pierce'and' Joe FearceA All' are* police- ' f|Mr. iQuinlan said -that when the club made fits'* last atrip S to W Auckland tit brought three'lß-year-olds, all-.of»whom had eincegainedjthe highest honours'in the League ganfe in Australia. J The present, side'had "with it'three players'of that age who seemed likely to follow in their footstes. They were R, Dunn J Arnold and P. Dermond. f i The party is at Hotel "Auckland. At noon to-day they were tendered a civic reception at the Town". Hall, and later had a preliminary training run at Carlaw Park. -Their first game*here will be on Saturday next, when thev will meet Marist, the champion local club* side, at Carlaw Park. ' ..