FAST LEAGUE MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21001, 12 October 1931, Page 11

FAST LEAGUE MATCH.

WIN FOR EASTERN! SUBURBS. DEVONPORT TEAM WELL BEATEN FORTY-ONE POINTS TO 27. Under beautiful weather conditions the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League team played tlie second match of its tour at Carlaw Park on Saturday, the visitors easily defeating Devonport, runners-up in the Auckland League senior championship, by 41 points to 27. The visitors delighted a crowd, estimated at 15,000, with their spectacular play, and the game was played at a fast pace throughout. The superior speed and splendid passing of the Eastern Suburbs backs, together with the fine cohesion of the forwards, completely routed the home team in the second half. Devonport played well in stages, especially the forwards, who were prominent in the loose. The Devonport rear division made many mistakes and it was the ability of the visitors to turn these to advantage that really made the score so large. The first half was marked l>y brilliant football, and throughout Eastern Suburbs fully maintained their reputation as a fine all-round combination. .About halfway through the second spell I'. Atkinson, a visiting forward, was compelled to retire with an injury to his hip. Tho teams were as follows:

Eastern Suburbs.—Fullback, \V. Hong; threequarters, Tottey, D. Brown, Boyle; five-eighths, Norman, Pope; halfback, Thicknesse; forwards, Rogers, Nixon, Peai'ce, Stehr, R. Brown, Atkinson. Devonport.—Fullback, Simons; threequarters, L. Scott, Seagfir, Rhodes; fiveeighths, Laing, Smith; halfback, E. Scott; forwards, Casey, Masofield, Simpson, Ruby, Leatherbanow, Hawkes. Early Tries.

Devonport attacked early, its forwards sweeping over the opposition. From a scrum Thicknesse passed to Norman and SI ehr burst through, good defence by Simons saving Devonport. The visitors' backs gavo a taste of their brilliancy and Murman scored a nice try which Boyle converted. Then Smith kicked a penalty goal for Devonport. The home forwards were playing well in the loose but the visitors were always dangerous. Pope sidestepped his way through the opposition and passed to Boyle, who scored. Boyle converted.

Norman offended by obstructing and Smith added a goal to Eevonport's score. Dovonport narrowly missed a try when L. Scott beat Tottey for possession and passed to Ruby, the forward dashing through only to lose tne ball. Tottey showed a lot of pace in supporting Pope and S. Pearce received wall. Norman was next to handle and 11. Brown scored. Boyle converted. Devonport made a great rally, L. Scott racing for goal, but Hong saved. In a strong attack Norman failed to take a pass from Pope, and in a flash Seagar snapped up to score. Smith converted. The visiting team continued to take risks and L. Scott bustled Hong. Smith was in support and after clever footwork won in the race for the line. Smith failed to convert. Devonport had the better of the exchanges until right on the interval the visitors made a splendid movement from their own line. Boyle finished off a bright passing rush by racing 40 yards and scoring by the posts. D. Brown converted, and half-time came with the score: Eastern Suburbs, 20; Devonport, 12. The Second Spell.

On resuming Stehr took the kick-off cleverly and a dangerous rush was saved by a forward pass. However, Thicknesse kicked through a gap and followed on to gather possession, and isend Rogers over by the posts. Boyle's kick hit the post. Devonport, by high kicking, with the sun behind it, kept the visitors on defence, a force-down eventually resulting. Devonport maintained the pressure Seagar intercepting well, but a good chance was lost through lack of support. Brilliant passing by the visitors saw D. Biown race through and Thicknesse scored. Boyle converted. Ruby made a weak kick and D. Brown snapped up and scored. Boyle converted. The Devonport forwards; swept over the visitors and Simpson scored. Smith converted. Clever passing gave Tottey his first real chance, the wing scoring near the corner. Before the close Devonport scored two tries as the result of following high kicks by the goal-line. The scorers were L. Scott and Laing, Smith converting both tries. Rogers added another try for the visitors, which was converted by Boyle. The final score was: Eastern Suburbs, 41; Devonport, 27. Mr. L. Bull was referee.

MATCH NEXT SATURDAY.

COMBINED CLUB TEAMS

A combined Marist-'Devonport team wjll meet the visiting Eastern Suburbs League team at Carlaw Park ne:ct Saturday. The following players have been chosen: — Backs.—Campbell (M.irist), L. Scott, A. W. Seagar (Devonport), P. Meehan (Marist), R. W. Smith (Devonport), H. Brisbane, Hassan (Marist). Forwards. —H. Carter, Campbell (Marist), Simpson, Ruby, Ca-sey (Devonport), Clark (Marist). Reserves.—Bachelor, Young (Marist), E. Scott (Devonport). Practice will be held at Carlaw Park to-morrow and Thurschly evenings. The Eastern Suburbs team left yesterday for Rotorna. and will play South Auckland at Steele Park, Hamilton, on Wednesday. NEXT MATCH AT HAMILTON. THE SOUTH AUCKLAND TEAM. [from our own correspondent.] TAUPIRI, Saturday. Tlie team selected to represent South Auckland against Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) at Steele Park, Hamilton, on Wednesday is as follows: —Fullback, C. Hill (Taupiri); five-eight lis, Whorskey (Huntly), W. Tittleton (Ngaruawahia); threequarters, W. Paki (Huntly), Cotter (Hamilton), Welsh (Hamilton); half, K. Peckham (Huntly); forwards, Jackways (Taupiri), Timms (Huntly), M. Scott (Huntly), Trauvettor (Huntly), J. Menzies (Ngaruawahia), Mason (Ngaruawahia). Emergencies: Griifiths (Hamilton), Robertson (Hamilton), Williams (Hamilton), J. Jones (Huntly), J. Farrell (Taupiri).