West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 12 July 1937, page 12


LAST POINT WINS MATCH. Claremont's Hard Tussle with Parth With the issue-in doubt until the last few seconds, Perth and Claremont fought out an exciting and eventful game at the W.A.C.A. ground on Saturday. Claremont winning by a pdint. Play was arduous from the, outset and the margin separating the teams was never great. Perth was particularly well served by aggressive defenders and hard-working followers; it was in the forward lines that many promising moves were rendered useless. Claremont too, offended in this way and on the day could scarcely be accredited as the better side. It received valuable service trom players in the key positions. The teams were:PERTH.--Backs: P. Fitiaerld, Love, WIN llama Half-backs: Wormald, A. Brown, Harold. Centres: FPuddey H. Davey, Trainor. Balf-for. wards: Tooehe e arsngta , A. rg. Forward: Burton, Gook, Witlker. Ruck: Ollpant Carrlngton, Keightley (rover). Nineteenth man.: Lamp (replaced Trainor, ocaeted shoulder, in first quarter). CLAREMONT.--Backs: lawn, Batt, 8. Moloney. Half-backs: eadon, S. Clarke, Grieve. Centres: Symonds, G. Moloney, Hosken. Halfforwards: Compton, Reid, Boys. Forwards: O'Reilly, Hopkins, Morris. ?uck: Beeves, Maitland, Hooper (rover). W'ineteenth man: Bee (did not play). UMPIRL-L. MeComish. A series of passes and Claremont 'was in attack; Morris fumbled a chance, but later put Boys in poiseasion only to see the latter hit the post. DsaveY,Hetherington and Whittaker combined to score Perth's first goal. There were many fine passages of football, with both sides evenly matched. Clarke, Brown and Wormald were doing excellently in the back lines, while Reid was a fast and fearless half-forward. It was Reid who instituted several moves, the majority of which were frustrated by a rellable defence. Play was confined mostly to midfield and the scores at quartertime were 3.7 to 3.4 in favour of C01lat mont. Coals came rapidly, two of them following beautiful marks by Gook. 0.. Moloney, in the centre, was causing Perth some anxiety, and Puddey was substituted in place of Davey, who was soon seen to better advantage on a Sank. The efforts of Oliphant and Reeves in ruck were features of the play. Perth was getting a fair measure of the play, but the tendency of its forwards to crowd in front of the goal handicapped it. Gook was being closely shadowed, but was constantly on the alert and almost unbeatable in the air. Clarke's work in defence prevented a Perth advance and too hasty kicking cost Claremont two simple chances of scoring. The G. Moloney-Beld.Hopkins combination was functioning, three goals being added before Perth' retaliated with a succession of behinds. Past and willing play ensued before Symonds goaled. Toohey, who was showing an Inclination to overrun, goaled before the bell, leaving the sides level with 6.11 each. Skirting the centre, Perth launched an early offensive, and Grigg marked brilliantly to give Gook a chance that was not wasted. Fitzgerald was in fine form in Perth's back lines. The sides were evenly matched in the ruck, but Claremont, despite occasional bursts of brilliance by Puddey and Davey, had the honours across the centre. Perth's forwards spoilt a wonderful opportunity, but ultra-cautious tactics employed by Claremont in the checking of Gook enabled Lamp to run through to goal. The game at this stage had reached a high standard and the ball was swept from end to end with great rapidity. Momentar1ly taking charge, Claremont added goals in the face of a consistently strong defence. A lead of 11.16 to 10.12 was held by Claremont at three-quarter time. Clever play by Love converted a Claremont attack into a speedy Perth thrust and a goal followed. It was great football and the excitement tense. Puddey was now breaking even with G. Moloney and giving the Claremont defence plenty to do, and Headon and.S. Moloney equal to the task. Nine minutes to go and Perth was in front. Hopkins, from a free kick, made the margin a point. Oliphant and Reeves were doing a great amount of work ni the ruck, while the backs on both sides were solid. Play was strenuous and frequently halted while eager contestants sorted themselves out. A great mark by Gook was followed by a behind and the scores were level. Claremont desperately fought for possession of the ball, and Perth responded. There was nalence when Toohey was dragged down in the grandstand pocket. The angle and distance were too much for him, however, and Claremont supporters were elated when Lawn saved. A vigorous rally was made by Claremont and with ten seconds to go Reeves, from a wild scramble in front of goal, snapped the i winning point. Final scores:CLAREMONT . . . 14.18 (102pts.) PERTH ...... . 14.17 (101pts.) Scorers:--Claremont: Hopkins, 8.5; Reid, 2.4; Hooper, 1.2; Symonds, 1.1; Morris and Lawn, 1.0 each: Boys, 0.3; Reeves, 02; O'Reflly, 0.1. Perth: Gook, 6.8; Grigg, 2.2; Lamp, 2.0; Toohey, 1.2; Burton, Whittaker and Hetherington, 1.0 each; Carrington, 0.3; Keightley, 0.1; Oliphant. 0.1.Claremont's Claremont's best player was Reeves. He was opposed by solid ruck men, but held his own. He was safe in the air, showed plenty of pace and was unflinching in the rough going. His stamina stood him in good stead, and he was among the strongest at the finish. Headon and Clarke were good in defence, and the two Moloneys and Hopkins did valuable work .I Lawn and Grieve. played useful games. Following for Perth, Oliphant was conspicuous all day. He marked and kicked well and showed coolness and accuracy in picking out a team-mate. Gook was brilliant in the air and with such little support and close attention did renmarkably well to score six goals. Wormald,

Fitzgerald and Brown again demontraated their consistency in defence,1 while Grigg, Toohey, Carrington and Kelghtley did their fair share.