West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 14 May 1934, page 11


A SPIRITED CONTEST.

West Perth's Last Quarter Effort.

A dashing, though for the most part unsystematic display of football was produced on Saturday at Leederville Oval in the match between West Perth and Clare

mont-Cottesloe. Springy turt, glorious weather and a hid in the air afforded an opportunity for a vigorous game, in whicn the astonishingly rapid, if unco-ordinated moves, keyed up both players and spectators with unexpected excitement. An impartial judge, indeed, could only have forecast a comfortable victory for We9t Perth, and in consequence a small crowd attended. But for three-quarters of the match Claremont-Cottesloe held West Perth in check and appeared to have a good chance of winning. Only in the last quarter, when Anderson took over the goal front position, where he dominated the piny, did West Perth reveal itself in its true colours to win comfortably by 28 points.' Claremont-Cottesloe's performance was mo9t encouraging and a considerable improvement on its earlier displays. The central umpire (C. Cook) gave a good exhibition with the 'whistle, and penalised ^.only flagrant breaches of the modified rules. The teams were: — WEST PERTH. — Backs: Grepjr, Benton, MeGucken. Half-backs: O'Keefe. Tetley, P. Walsh. Centres: Drew, Moriran. Dalzeill. Half-forwards: Green, Anderson, L. Walsh. Forwards: N. McDiarmid, Tyson, Kenna. Followers: Marinko, Ford, RainoldL Nineteenth man: Roberts (did not play). CLAREMONT.— -Backs: Buzzard, Batt. John. Half-backs: J. White. Clarke. Gough. Centres: Neilson, Oliver, Garside. Half-forwards: Harris, O'Reilly. Maloney. Forwards: Edmeades, Sheridan, Skinner. Followers: Oliff, Williams, Steward. Nineteenth man: Swain (did not play). UMPIRE.— C. Cook. A quick forward move produced a point for Claremont-Cottesloe at the' commencement of play. Ford then transferred the ball to Tyson who goaled for West Perth from an angle. A few minutes later N. McDiarmid stab-kicked another. Play was already exciting, with P. Wabh and Benton defending brilliantly for West Perth; and Hough playing cleverly for the other side. West Perth's poor disposal lost it several opportunities which proved serious when Steward snapped two goals for Claremont-Cotesloe and scored another a few minutes later from a mark in front. The quarter ended with Claremont-Cot tesloe leading 3.4 to 2.4. The unsystematic character of the play on the resumption was redeemed by the pace of the game. West Perth went forward with goals from Tyson and Green. P. Walsh and Tetley at one end and S. Clarke and Buzzard at the other, were doing excellent work in defence, but spirited, scrambling football continued. West Perth went further ahead with a fine dropkick from N. McDiarmid. Just before the bell, Skinner reduced the leeway for Claremont-Cottesloe, when the scores were:— West Perth, 5.8; ClaremontCottesloe, 4.4.Ford Ford and O'Keefe repulsed ClaremontCottesloe'a early attacks in the third quarter, but when West Perth'' went forward two goals were registered by Anderson and Rainoldi, who was roving dashingly. Sheridan then shone for ClaremontCottesloe and kicked two goals in the space of a few minutes, after good work by Harris. Play had now improved considerably, and C. Cook's umpiring had much to do with the maintenance of the pace. Hams- andSteward goaled for Claremont-Cottesloe. and Tyson snapped another for West Perth right on the bell, leaving the scores: — West Perth, 8.9; Claremont-Cottesloe. 8.12. Anderson, now goalsneak, \sent West Perth ahead with a fine drop-kick goal at the start of the final quarter, but Williams's goal regained the lead for Claremont-Cottesloe. In spite of wonderful 'de-fence work by B. Buzzard, who rose to great heiarhts, West Perth moved forward again, Anderson and N. McDiarmid (twice) scoring goals. McDiarmid had played brilliantly on the forward lines throughout the match. O'Reilly's shot for ClaremontCottesloe struck the post, but his team was generally overshadowed during this term. Before the final bell Tyson scored his fourth goal, making the scores: — WEST PERTH ? 13.17 (95pts.) CLAREMONT-COTT. . 9.13 (67pts.) Goalkickers:— West Perth: Tyson (4), N. McDiarmid (4), Anderson (3), Rainoldi and Green. Claremont-Cottesloe: Steward (4), Sheridan (2). Williams, Skinner and Harris.

In a game m which individual efforts were more, pronounced than ? team work, several players distinguished themselves. For West Perth, Ford, fullowing, and P. Walsh in defence, played magnificent football, characterised by great dash, high marking and long kicking. Benton. O'Keefe and Tetley were other fine defenders, Rainoldi roved brilliantly, and Anderson, Green and N. McDiarmid^ were fine forwards. For Claremont-Cottesloe, Brian Buzzard's exhibition, in the final term, particularly, was that of an inspired player. In a, back pocket he played dashing football, marking well, and 'disposing of the ball to advantage. S. Clarke was again prominent, and Steward, Hough, Harris and Batt were perhaps a little more serviceab.e than a very good remainder.