Eastern Suburbs season 1913

Eastern Suburbs (now known as the Sydney Roosters) competed in the 6th New South Wales Rugby League(NSWRL) premiership in1913.

Details

* Home Ground: Agricultural Ground
* Lineup:-
Les Cubitt • D. Flannery• Dan Frawley • Ernest Gowenlock • Arthur Halloway • Fred Kinghorn • Charlie Lees • R. Maher • Bob Mable• Herbert Henry 'Dally' Messenger• Wally Messenger• Claude Nicholson • Larry 'Jersey' O'Malley• G. Redman• Sandy Pearce• Bob Tidyman• Jack Watkins • Eddie White • Percy White • Bob 'Botsy' Williams.Reprasentatives: Arthur Halloway(NSW), Frank Kinghorn(NSW), Wally Messenger(NSW), Charlie Lees(NSW),

1913 results

* Premiership Round 1, Saturday 3 May.

Eastern Suburbs 17 (3 Tries; 4 Goals) defeated Newtown 15 (3 Tries; 3 Goals) at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

This was the first rugby league club match played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

* Premiership Round 2, Saturday 10 May.

Eastern Suburbs 15 ( 3 Tries; 3 Goals) defeated North Sydney 8 (Burge, Broomham Tries; McFarlane Goal) at the Agricultural Ground.

* Premiership Round 3, Saturday 17 May 1913.

Eastern Suburbs 9 (1 Try; 2 Goals; 1 Field Goal) defeated Western Suburbs 5 (1 Try; 1 Goal) at Pratten Park.

* Premiership Round 4, Saturday 24 May.

Eastern Suburbs 33 (9 Tries; 3 Goals) defeated Annandale 5 (1 Try; 1 Goal) at the Agricultural Ground

* Premiership Round 5, Saturday31 May.

Eastern Suburbs 12 (2 Tries; 2 Goals; 1 Field Goal) defeated Balmain 0 at Wentworth Park.
* Premiership Round 6, Saturday 14 June.

Eastern Suburbs 12 (2 Tries; 3 Goals) defeated South Sydney 0 at Sydney Cricket Ground.

* Premiership Round 7, Saturday 28 June.

Eastern SuburbsEastern Suburbs 28(6 Tries; D, Messenger 5 Goals) defeated Glebe 9(3 Tries) at Agricultural Ground.

Sydney Morning Herald(SMH) article; "When last years premiers were so closely tested by Newtown at the opening of the present club campaign, it was thought by many that the form of the Tricolours was detiorating; but subsequent happenings and the Addition of H. H. Messenger have banished all fears in this respect. The presence of their old captain in the three-quarter line has had a revivfying influence, and their attacking machiney, which was so disjointed in their earlier matches, is now running smoothly as of yore......" .

Match report from the SMH; " "A splendid game was witnessed by 12,000 spectators at the Agricultural Ground between the premiers and Glebe, for, not withstanding that the latter were well beaten, they executed many fine movements which only just failed to bring about a reward. The Eastern forwards were great in loose spoiling work, and it was the deadly tackling of O'Malley, Lees and Williams that checked the Reds attack in the thrilling second half. At this stage of the game McKivatt was in possession of the ball, and he was particularly prominent with spendid dashes rounnd the blind side of the scrum. Glebe's position was thus changed from one of hopelessness to one of expectancy and the wily Red' Captain initiated move after move which caused the spectators to roar their appreciation. The board showed 13 points to 3. With Glebe going strongly; but their gallant efforts to pierce the defence had an effect on the Reds, as when the champions rallied they failed to hold them and their grip on the game relaxed, points galore coming to the Easterners. It was sensational football whilst it lasted, and was productive of some of the most stirring incidents so far witnessed in this seasons games. Glebe deserve praise for making such a gallant effort to retrieve a position which at the interval looked hopeless. To a large extent luck was with the enemy at a juncture when a few smiles from fortune would have been acceptable. On one occasion when Burge had actually crossed the line, he was recalled by the touch judge, and referee Headley showed a lack of knowledge of the advantage law by awarding Glebe a penalty kick for a breach that deprived the side of a certain 3 points. [the] goal kicking of Leggo and McGregor was wretched in the extreme. They had numerous opportunities of augmenting the tally ? ? ? ? but ? ? ? was availed of lost form. They are a splendid all - round pair, and almost faultless in their tackling. The wings, Collins and Russell also displayed very good form. The latter quite surpassed Messenger at his own game, and notched no fewer than 8 of the 14 points scored by his side. Griffiths at fullback was good though, perhaps, not quite so sound as previously. The Eastern forwards missed the services of [Pearce taken off injured] . As scrummagers they were clearly missed on the day, and though they sparked at times the old dash and resolute rushes which have so often brought disaster to their opponents, were absent. At half-back Halloway and Cubitt performed well, but both indulged in far to much kicking, a failure that marred the work of the whole of the rear division. The defence of H. Messenger, W. Messenger, Tidyman and, Frawley could barely have been surpassed, but in attack they were not particularly good, and were not so keen in sighting the openings which they should have made for there pace. At fullback Kinghorn was sound, but not aggressive, and his kicking at times lacked power and judgement. Each side played five forwards in the pack during the second half".

* Premiership Round 8, Saturday 5 July.

Newtown 14 (P. McCue, J. Barnett Tries; C. Russell 4 Goals) defeated Eastern Suburbs 11 (D. Frawley Try; D. Messenger 2, W. Messenger Goal; D. Messenger Field Goal) at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The SMH gives this report on the match; "There has not been so much enthusiasm showed in a competition game since Newtown defeated Eastern Suburbs 12 months ago by the odd goal as on Saturday, when Newtown again vanquished the league champions, as the premiers have not been beaten in the last seven matches, they had the moral strength that comes of an unbeaten record . But the large public patronage to the meeting of these clubs showed that, despite the Eastern Suburb's clubs splendid accomplishments, it was not unreasonable to expect Newtown to triumph on this occasion. Newtowns superiority was in the forwards who secured the ball in the majority of scrums, and were more formidable in the ruck. Newtown tried an experiment that was successful. P. Cruise was introduced at stand-off half, and did well, although unfamiliar with the league game. "Within three minutes of the kick-off M'Cue scored for Newtown from a forward rush, but Russell failed at goal. For a few minutes it looked as if Newtown would carry all before them, but there opponents' backs answered every call. Then W. Messenger kicked a fine penalty goal . Newtown 3 points to 2 . The pace became exceedingly fast. But superb tackling checked any spectacular play by the backs of either side. At length Newtown's efforts were rewarded. From a penalty kick the forwards rushed the ball over the line and from a ruck Barnett scored, and Russell converted Newtown, 9 points Eastern Suburbs, 2. Just after the kick out Eastern Suburbs were awarded a penalty, and Messenger goaled, the ball striking the post and bouncing over the bar. Newtown continued to attack. However penalties were frequent, and D. Messenger from one kicked another goal. This he supplemented by kicking a magnificent field goal from about 30 yards out. 8 points all. Eastern Suburbs were apparently becoming over-anxious, as frequent penalties were incurred for off-side and interference. Russell had five shots at goal, and just before the interval put one over the bar Newtown 10 points to 8.""Directly after restarting Russell, with the wind behind him, kicked his third goal, and Newtown led by 12 points to 8. Eastern Suburb's pack rushed the ball to Newtown's twenty-five and from a scum Halloway served Frawley, who fended off an opponent and scored, Newtown 12 points to 11. Newtown were not dismayed, however, and they again had Eastern Suburbs defending vigorously. The latter were penalised on their own twenty-five for not 'playing' the ball and Russell kicked his fourth goal. Newtown 14 points to 11. Each side in turn attacked, but the defence was resolute, and full-time was called with the scores unaltered. It was a grand struggle, and stenuous to a degree.""

The line ups that day were, Eastern Suburbs - (F. Kinghorn; D. Frawley, B. Tidyman, D. Messenger(c), W. Messenger; L. Cubitt, A. Halloway; B. Mable, S. Pearce, B. Williams, J. Watkins, P. White, C. Lees). Newtown, (E. D. Griffiths; C. J.Russell(c), G. Bain, H. Bolt, W. Collins; P. Cruise, R. Farnsworth; W. Haddock, J. McCue, J. Murray, D. Grundie, J. Barnett, P. McCue).

* Premiership Round 9, Saturday 12 July.

Eastern Suburbs 24 (Sulivan 2, Green, Wilkinson Tries, 5 Goals; 1 Field Goal) defeated North Sydney 18 (4 Tries; Miller 3 Goals) at Sydney Cricket Ground.

* Premiership Round 10, Saturday 19 July.

Eastern Suburbs 11 (3 Tries; 1 Goal) defeated Western Suburbs 10 (2 Tries; 2 Goals) at the Agricultural Ground.

* Premiership Round 11, Saturday 26 July.

Eastern Suburbs 19 (5 Tries; 2 Goals) defeated Annandale 8 (2 Tries; 1 Goal) at Wentworth Park.

* Premiership Round 12, Saturday 2 August.

Eastern Suburbs 13 (3 Tries; 2 Goals) defeated Balmain 5(1 Try; 1 Goal) at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

* Premiership Round 13, Saturday 9 August 1913.

Eastern Suburbs 14(???) defeated South Sydney 7(H. Thompson Try; H. Horder 2 Goals) at Sydney Cricket Ground.

* Premiership Round 14, Saturday 16 August 1913.

Glebe 14(4 Tries; 1 Goal) defeated Eastern Suburbs 9 (1 Try; 3 Goals) at Agricultural Ground. This is the match that Dally Messenger allegedly kicked a goal from inside his own quarter. metres out.

1913 NSWRL ladder

For - 227

* Tries 45
* Goals 46

Against - 118

* Tries 26
* Goals 20

1913 season highlights

* Won their 3rd successive premiership, Becoming the first team to do so.

* Won the Minor Premiership.

* Won the Presidents cup

* Became permanent holders of rugby league's first trophy - the RAS shield.

* There biggest win of the year came in round 4 when they defeated Annandale Dales 33-5.

References

[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/rl_index.html Rugby League Tables and Statistics]