West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 2 July 1934, page 6


EAST PERTH IN FORM.

South Fremantle Soundly Beaten.

Waterlogged turf; gusts of wind and frequent showers spoiled the standard of play at Perth Oval on Saturday in the match between East Perth and South Fre

mantle, which the former team won by 54 points. Showing great pace from the commencement of the game, marking brilliantly and passing accurately, and above all, inspired by the uncanny display of Guhl on the wing, East Perth ran to a lead of four goals in the first term, and did not appear in danger of defeat afterwards. Little's dominance in the ruck was a strong link in East Perth's forward rushes, and these were repeatedly capped off by Cronin on the half-forward flank and Crow in front of goals. South Fremantle started badly, and though the team rallied in the second half, it found greater difficulty in adapting itself to the conditions, lacked East Perth's cohesion, and kicked inaccurately for goal. Few team's in the league would have been able to cope with East Perth's system of Saturday. The teams were: —

SOUTH FREMANTLE.— Backs: Hasan, Bach, A. Richardson. Half-backB: Lancaster, Edgar, Brown. Centres: Mathews, White, Whitmore. Halfforwards: Smith, Dodd, Diggini. Forwards: Miller, Jones, E. Lawn. Rack: Ditchburn, R. Richardson. Caratti (rover). Nineteenth man: Edwards (did not play). EAST PERTH. — Backs: Wood, R. Ryan, Mather. Half-backs: Boundy, Bennett, Matson. Centres: Leeder, Kins, Gnhl. Half-forwards: Cronin, Dempster, Dolan. Forward*: B. Lawn, Crow, Orr. Ruck: Little. Booth. Screaijch' (rover). Nineteenth man: Boland (replaced Dolan in last quarter). IJMPmE: T. Oliver.

Booth forced the ball down to Crow at the commencement of play, and Eas* Perth's first -goal resulted. Undeterred by the greasy ball, Cronin then passed brilliantly to Crow, and from a fine kick, he scored a goal. From a snap, Orr kicked another. East Perth's marking was surprisingly good, and this temporarily unsettled 'South Fremantle; but Smith, Diggiris and Jones combined neatly, the latter kicking a good goal from an angle. Boundy and Bennetts iir defence stopped further scoring,' and Guhl's trickiness on the wing sent his team in attack again. More scrambling foptball was displayed at the end of the term, but Screaigh worked clear,of the crushes to snap East Perth's fourth goal! Sight on time Cronin kicked another. East Perth then led with 52 to 1-2- . ' A few minutes after tha resumption of play, South Fremantle was. apparently a hopelessly beaten team.' Little's dominance in the ruck, solid -defence by Bennett, Bojmdy, Matson and Ryan,' and a superlative exhibition by Guhl on the, left wing, allowed East Perth to attack, to such purpose that three goals were scored in the first five minutes of the quarter. 8outh Fremantle rallied but wasted several promising .opportunities. Hag.an's snapshot .hit the; post, but Matthews reduced his team's deficit by six points. Fast football was played in the concluding stages of tha quarter, with South. Fremantle attacking determinedly. Diggins goaleJ with a long kick, but most of his team'3 attemnts yielded only points. At half time 'Easf Perth was' well ahead with 9.5 to 3.8.

Clever work by Guhl sent East Perth into attack in the third quarter, and Crow ended the move with a point. Bach was defending well for South. Fremantle, but the other defenders were often astray, K. Lawn broke1 away for East Perth and scored his team's tenth goal with a running shot.. Then at the other end Caratti goaled. Heavy rain commenced and play grew more' congested. Opening up the game East Perth 'tfent further ahead when Wood and Crow scored goals, but South Framantle'a forward moves were generally broken up by Bennett and Matson. At the final change-over, East Perth led by eight goals— 12.9 to 4.9.

Caratti hit the post when South JJTemantle forced the ball forward at . the start of the last quarter, but made amends soon after with a fine goal. East Perth was still a better organised side, and several systematic attacks , resulted in three goals. In failing light and drizzling rain South Fremantle took command in the closing stages, but scored only a succession of points. A hard-slogging game ended with 'be scores: — EAST PERTH ? 15.11 (101 pts.) SOUTH FREM'NTLE 5.17 ( 47 pts.)

Goalkickers— East Perth: Crow (5), K. Lawn (2), Screaigh (2), Cronin (2), Orr, Dempster, Matber and Wood. South Fremantle: Caratti (2), Jones, Mathews and Dijrgins. East Perth fielded scarcely a weak player. . Its- small men, Guhl, Orr and Screaigh played great Vet weather football, characterised by sure ground play and quick and accurate disposal. On the wing, Guhl was almost faultless, his trickiness, deft handling of the greasy ball and fine passing delighting the spectators. He was easily the best man on the ground. Bennett was almost as serviceable in defence, and showed great sense of position play. Little was a fine ruck man; Mather, Boundy, Matson and Ryan played well in the back lines; .and Crow -and Cronin were the pick Of the forwards. Other good players were King and Leeder on the centre line. Few South Fremantle players were outstanding, but Back performed creditably in goals— a difficult task in the vface of East Perth's forward rushes. Matthews and Caratti roved well, and Hagan, Edgar. White, Diggins and Brown were .the best of the others.