THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23317, 10 April 1939, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

[EASTERN SUBURBS WIN MARGIN OVER MARIS! TEAM i TWENTY-TWO POINTS TO NINE / POME FORWARD ORDERED OFF 'After defending splendidly in the Bret spell, Marist, last season's club champion, team, was defeated at Carlaw oh, Saturday by 22 points to&fby the combined Eastern Suburbs Rugby League side, of Sydney, which played its first of four matches. The ground was in good order and there was an attendance estimated at 7000. 1 Marist played almost the Whole of the second half one player short, W. Grotte being ordered off. From this stage the visitors gained the ;upper hand and interest in the match Waned a good deal. The combination of both sides was a little disappointing, the visitors holding the advantage in this respect. Marist's defence in the first half ivas a feature of even play but there were times in the second spell when both backs and forwards tackled feebly. Eastern Suburbs did not show the combination expected but allowances can be made for the fact that some of the players were playing together for the first time. A fine visiting side on attack should be seen in the remaining matches. The positional play and covering defence of the visitors was good. The loss of a forward, however, was a big handicap to Marist and the visiting vanguard was clearly superior in the second half. The honours in the first spell were with Marist which was only one point behind at half-time. Anderson was right off kicking form and missed in six attempts at goal in this half. Ono or the best individual efforts in the first naif came from Erkkson, the Marist forward, who beat half a dozen opponents in a £;pectacular run for a try. Thompson Outstanding

The best back on the ground was Thompson, the visitors' halfback, whose speed from the scrum often drew the defence, and he was vory tricky on attack. Thompson kicked five goals, one a great kick from the touch line. Sharman impressed as a fine fullback find his fielding and kicking were generally faultless. At times he ran up to start passing bouts. Mitchell, who played at second five-eighths' and centre, is one of the biggest backs yet seen at Carlaw Park and ho took' a lot of stopping. With more opportunities he would be a fino scoring back. Hyde was not seen to the same advantage as last season, but he was checked several times through Mitchell going a little too far. Manson, on the wing, was difficult to Btop, while O'Loan lacked opportunities. Pickup,' at five-eighths, was elusive on attack, although inclined to kick. The visitors' forwards dominated the game and were very even, Redman is a fine opportunist and Arnold and Stehr were always prominent in the loose. Glover played a splendid defensive game at fullback for Marist and his tackling saved tries on uumerous occasions. His kicking was. however, a little uncertain. R. Grotte. behind the scrum, stood out as the best back and did a lot of work on defence. Donovan tackled very soundly but both the Marist five-eighths held possessiop wo long and handicapped their outside men. Erickson and Breed were the pick of the forwards. Both teams wore arm bands and stood for one minute in. silence prior to play commencing as a mark of respect to the late Prime Minister of Australia. Mr. J. A. Lyons. The teams were as follows: Eastern Suburbs.—Fullback. J, Sharman:

ihreequarters, D. Manson, F. Hyde. A. Mitchell. R. O'Liian; halfbacks, L. Pickup. R. Thompson; forwards, R. Stehr, G v Watt. F. Griffiths, H. Pierce. J. Arnold. J. Redman. Marist:—Fullback. .W. Glover: threo-

quarters, R. Halsey. R. Haslam, J. Matthews: five-eighths, C. Murdoch, B. Donovan; halfback, R. Grotte; forwards. C. Erickson, J. O'Kane, W. Breed, W. Grotte. K. Finlayson, J. Anderson. v The First Try

Marist was first to make an impression and Finlayson kicked past Sharman. tho visitors' fullback, but O'Loan raced back and kicked out a few yards from the Eastern Suburbs' line. In some fast play Finlayson received a pass from an opponent and raced for the goal unopposed, but he passed wildly to Breed, who missed the transfer and an easy try. Hyde gathered in the loose and Watt kicked through for Mitchell to race over and' score a good try. Thompson converted. Eastern Suburbs. 5; Marist, 0. In an exciting raid Haslam just missed scoring for Marist. The visitors made a brilliant recovery .after Marist had pressed hard and Manson raced to halfway. Thompson and Pickup joined in. the latter stumbling a ward short of the Marist line.. Haslam made a - good dash and had the visitors pressed. Then Erickson gained possession and cleverly side-stepped several opponents to score a splendid try. Anderson missed an easy kick. Eastern Suburbs, 5; Marist. 3. Murdoch had the next kick at goal but failed, this being Marist's sixth fruitless attempt. The Marist backs showed to advantage. and, after Halsey and Haslam had beaten the defenc*. Donovan snapped ni> and raced over to score a nice try. Anderson made a poor attempt to convert. Marist. 6: Eastern Suburbs. 5. From a penalty Thompson placed the visitors iir the lead with a magnificent goal, and half-time came with the score:— Eastern Suburbs .. .. 7 Marist .. .. .. 6 Just after resuming W. Grotte was ordered off. Halsey gained ground with a line dash and a dangerous movement jwoke down through a wild pass. Redman intercepted and with Glover out of position an easy try was scored. Thompson converted and a few minutes later kicked a fine penalty goal. Eastern Suburbs. 14; Marist. 6.- ' Visitors Increase Score

The visitors continued to hold the advantage and Mitchell was well tackled by Donovan when a try appeared certain. Smart passing between Thompson. Pickup nd Manson. who were supported by Pierce, resulted in Redman cutting in nicely to score a splendid try. Thompson's kick hit the uprights. Eastern Suburbs, 17; Marist, 6. Grotte started a good movement, but Murdoch's pass to Haslam was dropped, and Sharman saved. Good play by Stehr and a clever run by Thompson caught Marist unawares and Arnold toed the ball over to score tor Thompson ,to convert. Eastern Suburbs. 22; Marist. 6. Thompson cleverly evaded the defence and raced Manson into a scoring position but Glover brought the wing down with a great tackle. "Watt, the visitors' hooker, was carried off with slight concussion and a few minutes later Anderson scored for Marist. His kick missed. Just before time Stehr made a good run and passed to Griffiths, but a forward pass was ruled as Pierce raced for the line. The game ended with the score:— Eastern Suburbs .. .. 22 Marist .. •. •. 8 Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

MATCH FOR TO-DAY PICHMOND OPPOSES VISITORS PERSONNEL OF THE TEAMS The Eastern Suburbs Rugby League team wi'l meet with strong opposition at Carlaw Park this afternoon, when opposed by Richmond. which has an unbeaten record against, visiting Australia- club teams. Although the visitors did not show high-class form against Marist on Saturday, they should show considerable improvement this afternoon. Better combination by thfl backs will make Eastern Suburbs a formidable team, and it may be a little too heavy for Richmond. The local side plays fast, open football and the team will he nrobablv as fit as Eastern Suburbs. It is unfortunate that J. Satherloy> the mond hooker, is not available, owing to injuries received a week ago. He will be replaced by McLeod, who has met with success BS will be a game and another attraction will bp the clubs relay cbampionhip, in which Eastern Suburbs is expected to compete. The principal game will commence at 3.X5 p.m. Following are Eastern Suburbs. —Fullback: .T. Sharman; three-quarters. F. Tottey, F. Hyde, A. Mitchell, I). Mansoii; halfbacks. .T. Qnealc.v, R. Thompson: forwards, R. Stehr, G-. "Watt. F. Griffiths, H. Pierce, .T. Arnold, J. Redman. Richmond.—Fullback: T. Bramley; threequarteis, L». Mills, W. Tittleton, L. Jack, F. Furnell, K. Fletcher (one to he omitted): halfbacks. M. Potter. A. Watkins; forwarils, M. Metcalfe, G. Mitchell. M. Do'vine, H. Hadley, J. MoLe-63, A. Broadhcad, S. Broadhead (ono to be, omitted). * Mr. S. Billman will be referee.

SEVEN-A-SIDE WINNERS / PONSONBY TEAM'S SUCCESS The Ponsonby team had too mucll pace for the opposition and easily won the final of the seven-a-Hlde tournament niaved at Carlaw Park in conjunction with lC&„ iSMSt Sor ? e KOOd fooC ball was witnessed in the various matches. Ponsonby fielded six backs and only one fori •ward. The results were as follows: ■Nowl Section. —First ronrnl: Richmond la City, 3; Mount .Albert, 2«, Newton. 0; tonl •o»«r. ai,, Horth Shore, a.. P&D*turi,

from Manuknu by default. Second round: Richmond, 1«, Papakura, O; Ponsonby, 13, Mount Albert, 10. Semi-final: Ponsonby, 21, Richmond, 0. No. 2 Section.—First round: Richmond, 11, City, 8; Newton, 18. North Shore, 0. Ponsonby had a bye and Mount Albert won from Manukau by default. Second round: Ponsonby. 8, Richmond, 5; Newton, 25, Mount Albert, 5. Final: Ponsonby, 23, Newton, 0, <0 SYDENHAM BEATS MIRAMAR [BY TELEGRAPH —PKE.SS ASSOCIATION*] CIIRISTCHURCH, Sunday In in Rusrby League match played yesterday Sydenham (Christchurch) defeated Miramar (Wellington) by 37 points to 12.