LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21003, 14 October 1931, Page 17

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

EASTERN suburbs succeeds fjNE ALL-ROUND COMBINATION. MATCH .AT HAMILTON TO-DAY. / The Eastern Suburbs Rugby League Seam upheld hs reputation on Saturday ibv giving a high-class exhibition of the codo in defeating Devonport, Like most "Australian teams, the visitors have players Titfi plenty of pace. Superior pace slaved a large part in the high score made by the team. The Eastern Suburbs combination compares favourably with the South Sydney learn of two years ago. In spite of the high scoring the match was full of incident and was thoroughly enjoyed by a large gathering of spectators, especially the first spell. 'Hie liomc team was not disgraced in Saturday's match. There were occasions on which Devonport's defence completely upset the attacking powers of the visitors. The local team excelled in hard, low tacklin" especially in tho first spell. Bad mistakes in passing among the backs proved costly and Eastern Suburbs scored three tries as the result of wild passing. Hie visitors' inside backs. Pope and Norjnan were far too superior for tho opposition.' In this respect Eastern Suburbs ve ve allowed latitude which would not Jiave come their way against a bettor combination. It can, therefore, be imagined ■xvhut a firio spoiling game the Devonport forwards played. 'J"ho pack outplayed ihe visitors' vanguard in the loose and several Eastern Suburbs backs seemed jathcr surprised at the fast raiding of the forwards. It was in team Work that Eastern Subtubs excelled. The forwards started most passing bents and usually Stchr or Pcarce flashed again into tho attack when a back was stopped. The visitors gave a splendid exhibition of supporting tho player in possession. With better support Devonport would have added two tries, lioth from good runs by Scalar, who was compelled to kick. Fullback's I'ine Game. llong upheld the best traditions of fullback play. Several times ho fielded the fcall in touch-in-goal and brought it out to start passing bouts. His fielding was fcidi class. Boyle was more impressive than Tottcy on the wing, but tho lastnamed did not receive many opportunities. Bdyle has a nico side-step and phiiwed a fino burst of speed. Eastern Suburbs' best back was D. JJrown, the centrc-threequartcr. Both on defence and attack ho played splendidly and his straight and powerful running was responsible for two tries. Norman ulso played a brilliant game, beating the opposition.with clever running and tricky passing. / Pope was associated with Norman in most of the tries. The chief asset cf 'J'hicknesse was his beautiful passing from tho scrum, although he was quick to see an opening and break through. J'caice. and Stchr were cutstanding among the visitors' forwards. Both used their ;weight 'to advantage and handled well, jll'-trors was also prominent for good play. Simons. L. Scott (backs), and lluby Bud Simpson (forwards), were the pick of the home team. Simons kicked and jßclded with good judgment. Scott was responsible for keeping 'lottey off his game, and his pace was of advantage in Spoiling movements, the Devonport wing played efisily his best game this season, showing a return to the form which gained FmV'Xcw Zealand honours. Ruby was n, great, worker in tiie loose, while Simpson and./Casey gavfi him excellent support. Seagnr played well in stages and beat the defence brilliantly at times. Smith .was a good opportunist, but did not keep lis feet well. Laing tackled well at fiveeighths, but was overshadowed by the opposition. E. Scott was not a success •behind the scrum, Ins slow transfers hindering the outside men. Method of Selection. The decision of the New Zealand Coun. til to match a combined Marist-Devonport team against the visitors next Saturday has not met with the approval of many followers of tho code, owing to the visitors' easy win last Saturday. There is little doubt that an .Auckland side should have been given a chance to display its powers against Eastern Suburbs. Judging by their form last Saturday the visitors are much too strong for any club team in Auckland and even against a representative thirteen the knowledge and combination of the visitors would prol>_ z ah'.y prove too good. At tho same time the- local representatives can muster a fine rear division, although the standard of forward play is not so high. r lhe match would be a fair test, as seven New South Wales representatives are included in the visitors' combination. It, is doubtful whether the team chosen for next Saturday's game is much stronger than the Devonport thirteen which was ■easily defeated last Saturday. Exception has been taken at the method of selection. It was only reasonable for the clubs concerned to expect to have had a say in the selection of tho players. In this matter, it is stated, that neither club yas consulted and consequently dissatisfaction has been expressed. Injury to List. The inclusion of Campbell, as i hooker, ihculd give the combined team its shaic pf the ball from the scrum, as the Marist player is easily the. best in the code in [Auckland. It is unfortunate List is not available. The Marist centre has an injured wrist and it is thought a bone has freer, broken. . . Tiie Eastern Suburbs team \isitcd Botorua oil Monday and Tuesday. Ihe visitors will play South Auckland at Hamilton to-daw New Zealand League players with English clubs were prominent in the opening matches plaved recently. In the game between St. Helens and Widnes, Hardjgrave was in splendid form and sccied three tries for the former team. L. Brown also commenced well. He scorea three tries for Halifax against Broughton Bangers. . The Leeds Club will be a strong contender for the English Rugby League championship this season and its tecoi will bo followed with interest. Kingston recently arrived from Sydney and live now assist Leeds.