100 years ago, a 15,000-strong crowd gathered at the SCG to watch the North Sydney Bears win their second (and last) rugby league premiership, beating Glebe 35-3.
By Staff reporter
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on September 7, 1922
FOOTBALL.
RUGBY LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP.
NORTH SYDNEY’S EASY WIN.
At the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday North Sydney and Glebe met in the final match for the first grade premiership. A thunderstorm about 1.30 p.m. rendered the centre of the ground a trifle slippery. About 15,000
people witnessed a game in which Glebe were outclassed by the speed and opportune handling of the North Sydney players.
North Sydney: The 1922 premier team
Glebe started promisingly, but although Ogle, with few opportunities, and Toohey performed well on their respective wings, they were unable to keep pace with Horder and Blinkhorn. North Sydney, after leading by 10 points to all in the first half, scored tries in quick succession near the close, and won very easily by 35 points to 3.
North Sydney: Full-back, N. Proctor; three-quarters, H. Horder, H. Peters, F. Rule, C. Blinkhorn; halves, D. Hodgkins and D. Thompson; forwards, W. Hancock, G. Green, J. Baker, J. Pye, J.C. Ives, R. Farnell.
Glebe: Full-back, R. Stapleton; three-quarters, C. Ogle, E. Summers, T. James, J. Toohey; halves, W. Stirton and W. Benson; forwards, T. McGrath, W. Haddock, J. Redmond, L. Burge, B. Gray, F. Burge.
Referee: T. McMahon
Glebe, playing with the wind in the first half, advanced steadily towards their opponents’ line. North Sydney tackled in determined fashion, and relieved with well-placed kicks. Toohey and F. Burge then executed some clever movements that gained ground, and from two penalties Redmond kicked wide. Glebe continued to hold a slight advantage, despite several efforts by Thompson to start passing rushes.
A number of free kicks favoured North Sydney, but they were kept on the defensive for some time. During the first 30 minutes the game was devoid of special incident. Then, after Hodgins had kicked, Rule followed up, and, taking the ball well, went on for a try, while Horder converted. North Sydney, 3 points to nil.
L-R: Herman Peters, Chris McGrath, Geoff Hilder (trainer), Ted (‘Tappy’) Taplin, and George Green.
A neat set of passes along the three-quarter line gave Blinkhorn a chance, but, although he evaded Stapleton, F. Burge brought him down. A good run by Toohey was the next event of importance. He kicked when threatened by Horder, and then went on to tackle Proctor, who had caught the ball close to the line. Stapleton secured the ball from a kick-out and was thrown into touch near the corner post.
North Sydney found relief from a free kick, but Ogle was given a chance a little later. He failed to control the ball, however, from a pass by Stapleton, who was showing dash in assisting to attack. A surprise try to North Sydney followed. Toohey tried to field the ball from the bounce, but knocked on. Horder secured with a clear run and scored easily. He also kicked the goal. North Sydney, 10 points to nil at half-time.
Glebe forced from a long kick by Proctor soon after play was resumed. Stapleton next failed to take the ball from a short punt by Rule, who ran on, secured the hall again, and crossed for an easy try. Horder converted. North Sydney, 16 points to nil.
A spurt by Glebe made the game interesting. Toohey, who was well watched by both Blinkhorn and Horder, and then F. Burge, well tackled by Pye, were conspicuous, but the speed of the North Sydney forwards enabled them to continually harass their opponents. Ives and Peters next raced through with the ball at their toes. Rushing past Stapleton, Peters picked up cleanly and scored a try, which Horder failed to convert. North Sydney 18 to nil.
Harold Horder
Glebe, with F. Burge and Grey prominent, advanced occasionally, but their handling of the ball was far from accurate, and Proctor was clever in relieving. Peters again came through at half way and signalled Blinkhorn to come inside for a pass. The latter duly obeyed and crossed for a try between the posts. Horder added another goal. North Sydney, 23 to nil.
A strong attack by Glebe followed. After persistent pressure Summers obtained from Benson near the line, and scored a neat try. Redmond failed at goal. North Sydney, 23 to 3.
Horder then added a penalty goal from the half-way line, and running from inside his own 25, scored a try. Every player on the field, except the Glebe full-back, was stationed in the North Sydney quarter, and Horder had an easy passage. He also kicked a goal and North Sydney led 30 to 3.
A long run by Blinkhorn ended in another try, and as Horder added yet another goal North Sydney won by 35 points to 3.
