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 THE
NEW DECADE: 1935 - 1939
In
1935, Saints created a premiership record when they
slaughtered the newly formed Canterbury 91-6 (this equates
to 110-6 on modern scoring).
The 30s also saw the demise of one of
Rugby League's battler clubs, University in 1937.
By the end of the decade, World War II
was declared and like most teams, Saints were hit hard
when a number of players left to join the fight.
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A
cricket score hiding delivered to the new neighbours
1935:
SAINTS ANNIHILATE BERRIES 91
- 6
'EARL PARK MASSACRE'
AN HISTORIC WIN
ST
GEORGE, 11 May 1935
(vs Canterbury)
Fullback
S. Robinson
Three Quarters
F. Gardner
L. Griffin
M. Hollingsworth
J. Lynch
Halves
J. Flower
P. White
Forwards
W. Killiby
C. Rice
J. Rutherford
L. Kelly
E. Root
P. Fairall (c)
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Earl
Park, 11 May 1935: Saints delivered a stunning
footballing lesson to competition newcomers, Canterbury
- Bankstown when they posted a record premiership
win of 91-6 (NB: this equates to 110-6 on modern
scoring). One can but imagine what was going through
the minds of the slaughtered as they came to terms
with a premiership loss that in all likelihood,
will never be surpassed.
Canterbury opened the scoring with two goals from
the boot of Carey and led 4-0. But St George cut
loose, running up a half time lead of 21-6. Saints'
line was never crossed and by full time, as they
scored 19 tries and 17 goals as every player in
the team made it onto the scorecard.
St George winger, Les Griffin posted a club
record for most points and goals scored in a first
grade match when he posted 36 points (2 tries, 15
goals). This 36 points record only being equaled
in 1947 by Jack Lindwall.
(NB: Griffin's and Lindwall's record stood as an
all-grade club record. But this was broken decades
later when third grader Wes Naiqama score
38 points in a Jersey Flegg match in 2002).
Les's record of 15 goals in one match still stands
not only as a club record but it is also a competition
record held jointly with Easts' Dave Brown.
Scorers for St George
Tries: Max Hollingsworth 4, Len Kelly 3, Les Griffin
2, Percy Fairall 2, Jim Rutherford 2, J. Flower,
P. White, Bill 'Wombo' Killiby, Eddie Root, Charlie
'Chikker' Rice, Fred 'Yappy' Gardner. Goals: Les
Griffin 15, Stan Robinson, Jack Lynch.
Referee: J. Murphy.
Sydney, 31 August 1935: St George's massive
win over Canterbury was had to compete with the
tremendous year that Easts were having. Easts were
handing out numerous thrashings in 1935 including
an 87-7 clubbing of Canterbury just one week after
the 'Earl Park Massacre'. (For the record, Canterbury
conceded a record 660 points after 18 rounds). |
1935
(top 4 in semis)
| Easts
p |
34 |
| Souths |
26 |
| Wests |
24 |
| Norths |
23 |
| Balmain |
21 |
| St
George |
20 |
| Newtown |
20 |
| Canterbury |
8 |
| University |
4 |
(18
ROUNDS)
Saints
'35 record
Win
Loss Draw Bye
8W, 8L, 0D,
2B
Pts for/against
For 334 (3rd)
Against 162
(2nd) |
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Additionally,
Easts sent many teams home with scores of 40 or
more against them and posted several more scores
of 50 and 60 plus.
Saints held their own against Easts that year, losing
both encounters 16-8 and 16-13. This is only made
more impressive by the fact that in 18 rounds Easts
scored a mammoth 599 points which included 131 tries,
almost twice as much as their nearest rival. Needless
to say, Easts went in to win the title in 1935.
Despite the dominance of Easts, Saints showed a
clean pair of heels to many teams.
Saints' big signing of 1935 was tough prop forward,
Eddie Root. Eddie brought with him a wealth
of knowledge. In addition to his state rep appearances,
Eddie also played as a 1929 Kangaroo. In 1935, St
George narrowly missed out on the semis and ended
up finishing the season in 6th position.
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1936:
University
end losing streak with win over Saints
Earl Park, 29 August 1936: University
scored a rare win, defeating St George narrowly
by 13-11 in the final round of the 1936 season.
Uni's last win was in round one of 1934, the best
part of three season ago. Since then, they have
lost 42 games in a row giving them the unenviable
record of the longest losing streak in Rugby League
history, a feat that is unlikely to be surpassed.
Notice has been placed on University by the NSWRL
to get better results or find themselves out of
first grade. Rugby League's battlers have been given
one more season to prove themselves, a task that
seems beyond the struggling club.
In the meantime, the St George team,
captain-coached by Eddie Root (in his last
season) had an ordinary year finishing with just
three wins, 10 losses, two byes for a ladder points
total of 10 points. Saints finished in 8th position,
saved from the wooden spoon by last placed University. |
1936
(top 4 in semis)
| Easts
p |
28 |
| Balmain |
22 |
| Canterbury |
22 |
| Norths |
19 |
| Newtown |
15 |
| Wests |
15 |
| Souths |
14 |
| St
George |
10 |
| University |
4 |
(15
ROUNDS)
Saints
'36 record
Win
Loss Draw Bye
3W, 10L,
0D, 2B
Pts for/against
For 141 (8th)
Against 228
(7th) |
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The
End of League's Battlers
1937:
SAINTS' BIG WIN
Sydney Cricket Ground,
22 May 1937: St George and Uni met for the final
time in the penultimate round of the 1937 season.
In a one sided match, Saints overwhelmed the hapless
University team who have been unable to win a single
game all year. Saints recorded their 2nd biggest
win by running in 15 tries to one to crush
University 65-5.
Since entering the competition in
1921, Saints have beaten University 17 times and
lost to them three times. Ironically, University
recorded their biggest ever win against Saints in
1933 when they won by 42-8. University will not
be competing in 1938.
SHORT
SEASON & NO SEMIS
Earl
Park, 19 June 1937: Saints played their final
game of the year defeating Newtown 19-11. Only 9
rounds were played in 1937. There were no semi-finals
and Easts have been declared the premiers by virtue
of the competition ladder which sees them being
undefeated on 16 points. Easts' season included
two draws, one of which was against St George (10-all
in May).
Saints did well
by posting 5 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw and 1 bye to
finish the season with 13 points, equal with Souths
in second position. Saints for and against sees
them finishing the year in 3rd position.
 A
FIRST FOR THE ILLAWARRA
'SAUS'
HAZLETON PLAYS FOR AUSTRALIA
Port
Kembla winger, Charlie 'Saus' Hazleton has
the distinction of being Southern Division's first
international when selected on the '37/38 Kangaroo
tour after representing NSW. He played one Test
in NZ and 15 games in the 1937 Kangaroo tour.
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1937
(no semis)
| Easts
p |
16 |
| Souths |
13 |
| St
George |
13 |
| Newtown |
10 |
| Canterbury |
10 |
| Balmain |
10 |
| Norths |
8 |
| Wests |
8 |
| University |
2 |
(9
ROUNDS)
Saints
'37 record
Win Loss
Draw Bye
5W, 2L, 1D,
1B
Pts for/against
For 151 (3rd)
Against 92
(4th) |
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1938:
Saints stuck with wooden spoon
for third time
 North
Sydney Oval, 13 August 1938: In front of a
small crowd Norths defeated St George 23-20 thus
confirming Saints as the year's last place getters.
Saints won 3, drew 1 and lost 10 matches, including
a losing streak of the last 5 games.
Saints were still a chance of avoiding
the wooden spoon if they could muster a win against
Norths but were unable to do so.
At the end of year 'post-mortem'
a few Saints' officials were heard to vow that
no future St George team would ever cop the wooden
spoon again!
In 1938, Saints signed promising
centre/winger Jack Lindwall (pic right).
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1938
(top 4 in semis)
| Canterbury
p |
24 |
| Souths |
19 |
| Balmain |
15 |
| Easts |
15 |
| Norths |
12 |
| Newtown |
11 |
| Wests |
9 |
| St
George |
7 |
(14
ROUNDS)
Saints
'38 record
Win
Loss Draw
3W, 10L,
1D
Pts for/against
For 159 (7th)
Against 275
(8th) |
1939:
ST GEORGE REBUILD AND SUCCEED!
 Sydney
Cricket Ground, 26 August 1939: Saints went
down in the minor semi final 23-10 to Souths in
front of 21,722 spectators. But they can be pleased
with a successful season. Under the guidance of
new captain-coach Neville Smith (pic right),
Saints have been trying to re-build their reputation
after coming last in 1938. Neville comesfrom
Valleys (Bris) and at 22 he is the youngest ever
captain-coach in the history of St George.
Coming into the semis, Saints were
2nd on the ladder and had an impressive list
if victories throughout the
year.
With 10 wins and 4 losses after 14
rounds, Saints have had an almost complete reversal
of form. Kangaroo winger and Port Kembla lad, Charlie
Hazelton scored 17 tries (14 rounds) in his
first season with Saints.
On August 12th, the last round of
the premiership, Saints and Balmain battled it out
for the minor premiership. Balmain won a tight match
11-10. Balmain went on to win the Final against
Souths and claim the premiership.
||||||1930s
FULL OF MIXED FORTUNES||||||
The
1930s were not easy for Sydney-siders. The Great
Depression had brought about hard financial times
and most were doing it tough. Despite this, crowd
numbers to Rugby League matches were on the increase
as people tried to escape the harsh realities of
life.
St George, 'the
Dragons' had a mixed bag of fortune. They
missed out on the semis five times including one
year when they finished last. But they also featured
in five semis and were runners-up on two occasions.
They also had some big wins including the 91-6 hammering
of Canterbury. Things were looking up and Saints'
fans could sense their elusive first premiership
win was just around the corner. |
1939
(top 4 in semis)
| Balmain
p |
22 |
| St
George |
20 |
| Canterbury |
20 |
| Souths |
18 |
| Easts |
16 |
| Wests |
6 |
| Norths |
6 |
| Newtown |
4 |
(14
ROUNDS)
Saints
'39 record
Win
Loss Draw
10W, 4L,
0D
Pts for/against
For 268 (1st)
Against 169
(4th) |
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