THE FINAL MATCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23323, 17 April 1939, Page 13

THE FINAL MATCH

eastern suburbs mx TWENTY-THREE TO TEN GOOD MARGIN OVER MANUKAU VISITORS SHOW IMPROVEMENT A large attendance at Carlnw Park on Saturday witnessed the fourth and final match of the combined Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) team's tour, the visitors defeating Manukau by 23 points to 10. Eastern Suburbs showed improved form and was vastly superior as a combination. Play was always interesting, although it was not a high-class exhibition of the rode. There was too much kicking by Manukau and chances of scoring were missed by players constantly dropping passes. A feature of the gamp which was largely responsible for the close play was the tackling of both teams. The local side, lacked nothing in defence in romparision wiih the Sydney players. The play of tlie forwards was always exciting and there were some bright rushes by the Manukau pack. The play of the backs, however, was uncertain, the set lacking combination.

Eastern Suburbs has played (our strenuous games, i\S form was distinctly good. The best of the visiting backs was undoubtedly Tottey, usually a wing threequarter, who played outside centra on Saturday. He was always dangerous on attack and besides scoring three fine tries paved the way for another by O'Loan. Behind the scrum Thompson was a thorn in the side of the local tesm and his penetrating runs frequently turned defence into attack. O'Loan. on the tring, played with more dash than in the other games and was one of the best hacks on the ground. Manson, on the other wing, was also impressive. Faultless fielding and well-judged kicking were features of Sharman's play at fullback. - , Stehr was easily the best of the forwards and was always in the picture. Pierce, who also played a fine game, was well supported by Arnold and Redman. Appearance of Nepia The appearance of G. Nepia at fullback for Manukau was a popular .attraction, and he did" some very solid tackling. Hemi was right off form, hut he has done no training. The best hacks were Mahima, at half, and T. on the wing. Ririnui was the outstanding forward and he played a dashing game; Brodrick played well, although he was inclined to go a little too far. Gault was also prominent, and Marsh used his weight to advantage. The teams were as follows: Eastern Suburbs.—Fullback: J. Sharman; threequarters, D. Manson, F. Hyde, F. Tottey, R. O'Loan; halfbacks, J. Quealey, R. Thompson; forwards, R. Stehr. G. Watt, F. Griffiths, H. Pierce, J. Arnold, J. Redman. Manukau.—Fullback: G. Nepia; threequarters, T. Chase, J. Hemi, J. Broughton; five-eighths, C. Wiberg, M. Panapa; halfback. P. Mahima; forwards, P. Ririnui, F. McGuire, J. Marsh, A. Gault, J. Brodrick, T. Whye. From the kick-off Tottey was caught in possession and jalthough he delayed playing the ball, Manukau was penalised and it was a lncky score. Play was then confined to the forwards for a time. After Thompson had missed at- goal from a penalty kick for the visitors. Hemi narrowly missed for Mannkau. The Eastern Suburbs backs made the first impression and Hyde passed to Maripon. who gained ground in a great dash well past halfway, where Nepia stopped him with a fine tackle. A few minutes later Redman burst through the defence and passed to Tottey, who scored a good try. Thompson converted. Eastern Suburbs, 5 ; Manukau, 0. Hemi and then Brodrick made a spectacular dash and Nepia flashed info the movement and passed high to Marsh, who was keld up a few yards from the visitors' line. One of the visitors' best forwards, Griffiths, retired injured and McCarthy replaced him. Pierce headed a strong attack and Nepia was slow to clear. His kick was charged down, O'Loan scoring a good try. Thompson con\erted'. Eastern Suburbs. 10; Manukau, O. Eastern Suburbs showed fine combination. Manson raced down the line and passed to Arnold, who sent Thompson over for a good try. Thompson also converted. Eastern Eubnrbs, 15; Manukau, 0.

Manukau's First Score Manukan made amends for several failures -to break through and Gault and Ririnui headed an attack, Panapa sending Whyc over. Xepia failed to convert and halftime came with the score:— 'Eastern Suburbs .. .. ..15 _ Manukau v . <•"" • .. 3 Play was very even for some time in the *econd half, neither side being able to finish Kood play by the inside backs. On one occa-i liion, Wiberj raced well into the visitors' territory, but his pass to Herai was dropped and Mannkan lost a possible try. Eastern Suburbs had the better combination and Thompson made a nice opening before passing to O'Loan. The latter passed infield to Totte.v and the centre raced over. Thompson jnst missed the goal points. Eastern Sabnrbs, IS; Manukan, 3. Mahima made a good run through, but held on and another promising movement broke down. Quealey started a. fine passing bo tit and Hyde made a beautiful opening before passing to O'Loan, who beat Xapia, but when a try looked certain Chase came fast and pushed O'Loan into touch. Then Brodrick was prominent in a spectacular . dash, but passed wildly to Wibc-rg. Manukan had the better of the play at this stage and Gault raced for the goal, but was not supported. Redman, the visitors' third row forward. was frequently offside, and from Oho breach. Hemi kicked an easy goal. In the face of a great visitors' forward rush Xepia saved brilliantly and raced back to halfway *nd passed to Brodrick, who lost the ball. Wiberg, however, was on hand to score. Hemi converted. Eastern Suburbs, 18; Manukan, 10. A few minutes later Thompson broke away and Tottey scored. Thompson converted. The same ended with the score:— Eastern Suburbs 23 Manukan .. .. .. 10 Mr. 8. Billman was referee. FOUR MATCHES PLAYED TWO WINS AND TWO LOSSES / _____ During the team's tour Eastern Suburbs Played four/matches in Auckland. It won two and lost two. Results were:—Against Marist, won. 22 —9; Richmond, lost, 16 —17; Mount Albert, lost, 11—10; Manukau, won, 23—10 — f -r VISITOR ENTERTAINED AUCKLAND PLAYERS PRAISED Members of the Auckland Ruby League Control Board were hosts to the Eastern Suburbs party at a dinner at the Hotel Auckland on Saturday evening. The tourists were officially thanked.for their visit and farewelled. , Congratnlating the visitors on their good performance to beat Manukau that day. Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the Auckland ■ control hoard, said that another memorable i club visit was drawing to a close with noth- . liilf but the happiest mutual satisfaction to ! all concerned. It was a tribute to the Aus- ' tralian players! enterprise that the trip was • made and had been crowned with success. The Auckland League had felt that with a Zealand team to be shortly picked for, England it would be wise to test the club stapdards.of Aiickland and Sydney as a basis. Everything had worked ont well. The fact that honours were divided in four matches between Auckland clubs against a Sydney elnb thirteen that contained five internationals added to Auckland and Xew Zealand confidence and justified the hopes that a worthy Dominion side would be assembled for overseas—a team probably much better in allronnd equipment than the last which went to England. Xew Zealand players had profited a good deal by Australian example and technique in recent years, and had realised more and more the necessity of training and fit-. - Su?*' " le f ' n,) teams were revealing that. The board wished the tourists a happy return and a good season. * Mr. J. Rukutai. on behalf of the Maori people, congratulated the visiting team on defeating Manukau. He said that there was a strong link between Australian Rugby J'tagne and Xew Zealand Maoris, for the first Maori team crossed the Tasnian Sea as early as 1908. It was gratifying in recent Tears to observe how well Australia was reciprocating the pioneer visits made to that country by Maori and pakeha teams alike in the code. In reply Mr. Stehr. captain and manager , M the Eastern Suburbs team, said that he ? knew he had brought a good side to Auckland and. although it had disappointed at Jjrst, he thought the tourists thoroughly re.deemed themselves by their play against MJnukau. It had been strenuous playing jnree stern matches in five days, hut he felt J{)*t all the teams engaged had benefited by 'He contests. "Our players well realise how your teams have improved in recent years." •aid Mr. Stehr. "We hope Xew Zealand will **Bd s successful side to England. You are wrtainly going the right way abont it and «Werve success. We cannot thank too much jjgJi toard and all the people for their hog- ■