West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 4 June 1934, page 11


A NARROW VICTORY.

Claremont Presses Sooth Fremantle.

In a vimful, well-contested game at the Claremont Oval on Saturday, before a small crowd. South Fremantle defeated Claremont-Oottesloe by the narrow manrin

or tnree points. Determination on the part of both sides and the closeness of the scorea throughout the match were the redeeming features of a contest marred by intermittent showers and sodden turf. For three quarters. South Fremantle was a more concerted combination than its opponents, but in the last quarter Claremont-Cottesloe rallied. Three minutes before the final bell the scores were level, due in large measure to the presence of Lovegrove in the forward lines. But South Fremantle's greater steadiness in the closing stages brought three valuable points. In a hard-slogging match, Claremont-Cottesloe must be . considered unlucky to lose; there was so little difference in the relative strength of the teams. that the tie which seemed inevitable just before time would have been a more fitting result. Following were the teams:— SOUTH FREMANTLE.— Backs: Edwards. Culley, Bach. Half-backs: Hagan, Edgar, Brown. Centres: . J. Doig, G. White, Mathews. Halfforwards: Smith, Lawn, Robertson. Forwards: Dodd, Jones, Richardson. Buck: Ditchburn L. Diggins, Caratti (rover). Nineteenth manPead (did not play). CLAREMONT-COTTESLOE.— Backs: Maitland Batt, J. White. Half-backs: Hough, Clarke Laidlaw. Centres: Neilson. Oliver, Edmeades! Half-forwards: Regan, B. Moloney, O'Reilly Forwards: Morris, Skinner, Lovegrove. Ruck: Deans. Growcott, Steward (rover). Nineteenth man: & Moloney (replaced Neilson, injured hip. durine the final quarter). CENTRAL UMPIRE.— C. Cook. South Fremantle were first into attack, and from a free-kick Dodd scored a goal. Play was transferred, and ClaremontCottesloe scored full points when Skinner punch the ball to R. Moloney in the goal mouth. In spite of S. Clarke's fine marking in defence, South Fremantle dominated the play for the rest of the term, W. Smith, Jones and Caratti combining excellently, and Jones scored three' goals in 15 minutes. Towards the end of the quarter, Claremont-Cottesloe rallied, and two points and a goal from Skinner re* suited. South Fremantle had played a vigorous down-the-centre game, and at quarter time it led with 4.5 to 2.2. _ Clarke's finger-tip marking stopped South Fremantle forward moves early in the second term, but Smith to Lawn resulted in the latter team's fifth goal. Claremont-Oottesloe then wasted a few goalfront opportunities, until Lovegrove and Skinner combined neatly to score full points. At the other end, Caratti soccered a goal out of the scrum, and another

rapid move down the right-wing- was capped off with a goal. Claremont-Cottesloe ? forwards were then sent in attack by Clarke and Grovactt, and Skinner,. Morris and O'Reilly scored goals. At half-time South Fremantle's lead had been reduced to 7.8 to 6.7. In the third term more . vigorous football was played, both, sets of defenders keeping the scores down to a minimum. Jones, however, broke away to snap South Fremantle's eighth goal. Maitland and Growcott were now following well for Claremont-Cottesloe and Ditchburn -was prominent on the ball for the other side. Lovegrove had steadied ClaremontCottesloe's forwards, and .goals followed from himself, and Skinner after fine play by O'Reilly. On the bell, Smith passed to Dodd, and South Fremantle's ninth goal was -posted. South Fremantle then led by a goal— 9.9 to 8.9. Moloney's goal from an acute angle levelled the scores on the resumption of play, but a long kick by Ditchburn widened the gap again. The football, played' in steady rain, was now most exciting, Claremont-Cottesloe drawing level once more with a goal from Skinner. A goal followed to each side, and the atmosphere became tense, when three minutes before time the scores were still even. But South Fremantle played 'Strongly when threatened, if not ? with defeat, at least with a tie, and rushed through three points to snatch' a narrow win. The final scores were: — . ' ? S. FREMANTLE , . 11.14 (80 pts.) CLAREMONT-COTT. I I.I I (77 pts.) Goalkickers.— South Fremantle: Jones (5), Dodd (2),.E. Lawn (2), Caratti and Ditchburn. Claremont-Cottesloe: Skinner (5), R. Moloney (3), O'Reilly, F. Morris and Lovegrove. . \ South Fremantle fielded many fine players without anyone being outstanding. Probably Edgar and Back (in defence), Ditchburn (following), and Jones .and Smith (in, attack) were a little above the others. Robertson, (in. the ruck) and Mathews (on the; wing) were, useful. Jones kicked some, excellent goals. , . - ?. : Onpe again Clarke gave a brilliant exhibition in defence, marking surely, turning cleverly and kicking well. He was undoubtedly the best man on the ground. Other prominent Claremont-Cottesloe players were Skinner, Lovegrove'and O'Reilly, three good forwards, Batt (in goal), Neilson (On the wing), and two- followers, Growcott and Maitland, an ex-Scotch College player, who made an impressive debut. ? . ?