LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18453, 7 October 1931, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

EASTERN SUBURBS’ VISIT. MATCH WITH SOUTH AUCKLAND. TRIAL- GAME ON SATURDAY. The Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) League team will meet the South Auckland representatives at Hamilton on Wednesday, October 14. A trial maten between two picked teams will be held at Taupiri on Saturday. The teams will be:— A Team. Fullback: Hill (Taupiri). Threequarters: J. Whorsky (Huntly), Welch (Hamilton), Tremain (Taupiri). Five-eighths: W. Tittleton (Ngaruawahia), Cotter (Hamilton). Half-back: E. Abbott (Ngaruawahia). Frant row: Mason (Ngaruawahia), Tittleton (Taupiri), Trauvetter (Huntly). Second row: Farrell (Taupiri), Scott (Hamilton). Breakaway: Jackways (Taupiri). B Team. Fullback: B. Paid (Huntly). Threequarters: G. Tittleton (Taupiri), B. Garry (Taupiri), A. 11. Griffiths (Hamilton). Five-eighths: Pcckham (Huntly), N. Smith (Huntly). Halfback: Crewther (Hamilton). Front row: Laird (Ngaruawahia), Menzies (Ngaruawahia), Hogan (Hamilton). Second row: Timms (Huntly), Payne (Ngaruawahia). Breakaway: Jones (Huntly). Emergencies: Forwards: O’Halloran (Hamilton), Stubbings (Hamilton), S. Raynor (Hamilton). Backs: Miki (Huntly), Robinson (Hamilton), Abbott (Ngaruawahia). EASTERN SUBURBS. SYDNEY TEAM’S VISIT. A DASHING COMBINATION. The Eastern Suburbs Rugby League team, which will play in Hamilton on Wednesday next, Is representative of one of the most famous of metropolitan clubs in Australia—that which produced “Dally” Messenger, of immortal lame. The 1931 side has been voted the fastest, as well as the most youthful of grade thirteens, while its succession of brilliant exhibitions captured the admiration of the crowds this season.

Although the “babies" of the competition, these wearers of the red, white and blue jerseys, made a bid for the championship that will long be remembered by devotees in New South Wales. They won the “minor" premiership by leading Ihe other teams for two full rounds, with a record of I 339 points for and 121 against, there--1 by proving themselves a sound defensive side. In the semi-final round Easts went down to Wests by a 10—8 margin, and were beaten in the grand final, 12—7, by the solid, experienced South Sydney, who were over here in 1929. In that match Live record crowd of the season was thrilled, for within three minutes of the bell the scores were seven all. Souths scored and converted a try Just when it appeared necessary that an extra 20 minutes of play would have to be ordered. Average Ago Twenty-one. Spectators cheered to the echo the wonderful fight put up by the colts. Their form and teaming ability say much for that grand old master -tactician and old “Kangaroo” player, the coach, “Pony" Halloway, who in his palmy days was the doyen of Eastern Suburbs and was several times on tour in New Zealand. The individual and collective speed of Eastern Suburbs was illustrated recently when its representatives easily carried off the inter-club relay race championship held at the Sydney Sports Ground. Seventeen players—nine backs and eight forwards —are with the team in the Dominion, Hie average age being 21 years. Two of the backs and a forward are but 18. Included in the former is Vivian Thicknesse, the Rugby Union State half, who joined up with Eastern Suburbs about two months ago. The only star player unable to make the trip was J. Lynch, the 20-year-old centre and goalkicker.

SNAPSHOTS OF PLAYERS. Full Back. W. Ilong (aged 25), a sound, reliable exponent; good catch and kick, and one who knows when to run with tlie ball. A plucky tackier, he stood up to many tests this season. Played for New South Wales against Queensland this year. Three-quarters. F. TotLey (21), who spent his boyhood in Hamilton, Waikato district, is fast and has tons of dash, lie goes for the lino in resolute fashion, and being sturdily built is hard to slop. He plays on the right wing. D. Brown (18), a youngster who has proved one of Hie gems of Hie season, his first in senior rank, wos one of the first players chosen for State honours this year. He is an inside centre, a good handler, a determined tackier, and a fine distance goal-kicker. 11. Delaney (22), left winger, is a consistent try-getter, lie is a very tricky runner and usually causes a great deal of worry lo his defence, besides being a solid tackier himself. M. Boyle’ (23) is a winger, fast and willi a neat swerve and side-step. He is a popular man on Die field, and gave one of his best displays in the Sydney grand final. R. Paiilas (22) is a reserve centre. He has an excellent turn of speed and is a useful goal-kick. Flvs-oighth. E. Norman ( IS) ; one of Hie youngest [ to have represented the State. He played in Hie series of Iffi'tl matches ] against Queensland, showing bis usuili cleverness in attack and strong defence. lie and D. Brown are considered the best "finds’’ in big football for years. Half Backs. N. Pope (23) ; an experienced player who commenced to play in district . grades. He is very elusive and is hard i

to beat on defence. lie was understudy to Hie famous “Clumpy” Busch, the wonderful “Kangaroo” player now with Leeds. V. Thicknesse (20) ; a bright recruit from Rugby Union this year, in which code he represented New South Wales. He is showing every promise and lias a good pair of hands for the position. Forwards. L. Rogers (21). The lock forward. A fast and clever player who has proved a great opportunist, having j scored more tries this year Ilian most | of the hacks. S. Pearce (20). Second row man. Son'of "Sandy’’ Pearce, who was one of Australia’s greatest hookers. Like bis late father, lie is built, on rugged lines and is keen all the way. He lias placed two seasons for the Stale. M. Nixon (20). Second row. A loosely-built forward, sound tackier, ami a quick player to action round the I scrum. R. Stclir (18) is considered to be I one "of Hie most promising front-row | artists in the game. He is a tireless j worker and “repped” this season. | H. Brown (2G), the veteran of the Harty, is a valued hooker and a solid forward in all departments. ( p. Atkinson (21), front row. One i of Hie ligstest men in Hie learn, but ! a determined sort, noted for his fear- I loss style of bringing off a tackle. j \y. byer (21): another front-row player who rucks well and lias ability in handling Hie ball from any situation. R. Gillam (22); a first-class allround second-row henchman, who shines in Hie open work, where lie is known for sure handling and unselfishness. Mr John Quinlan, secretary of Eastern Suburbs, lias the tour responsibility. He lias been a foremost administrator in the game since Its Inception, and was joint manager of the second '‘Kangaroos’’ with the 1 01 1-12 team In England, it is also a pleasure • to know that the team's coach (Mr Halioway; will assist Mr Quinlan. | :

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday. The Eastern Suburbs Rugby League football team, which is to play a series of matches in the Auckland Province, arrived from Sydney yesterday morning by the Maunganui. The manager, Mr J. Quinlan said the combination was a good one. fully | up to the standard of the best. EastI ern Suburbs Club teams. The stan.l----i ard of play in Sydney was very high. Seven members of the touring turn represented New South Wales tnis season. Tlie team was accorded a welcome by the Mayor, Mr G. W. Hutchison, in the morning, and was ofllclally welcomed last evening by the New Zealand League Council. The team will leave for Whangarei to-day, and it will play Northland tomorrow. It will return to Auckland on Friday and will meet the Devonport senior team on Saturday afternoon. A trip to Rotorua will he made on Sunday, and the team will stay there until Tuesday, when it will return to Hamilton, meeting I lie South Auckland representatives on Wednesday. On Saturday week the visitors will lie opposed by an Auckland side, and their tour will be brought to a close the following Wednesday.