LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 76, 3 July 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES. Results at a Glance:— Second grade: Mt. Albert 13, Papakur a 6. Third grade open: Mt. Albert 19, Papakura 5. Third grade intermediate: City 11, Papakura 9. Fifth grade: City 11, Papakura 0. Papakura’s colours were well lowered on Saturday when each of the four teams engaged were beaten. The most important match was the second meeting this season with Mangere in the second grade competition and which had a big bearing on the winners of the competition. Papakura travelled to Mangere and fielded a very strong team, but it was not good enough to beat the Maoris on their home ground. Indeed, on their wonderful display it is doubtful whether there is a team in the competition likely to defeat them. Mangere is still one point behind Otahuhu and it is fairly obvious that the winners this season will be decided when these two teams meet in the second round. The Game. Mangere kicked off but bustling work by the visiting forwards took play to the home area where it remained for the first ten minutes of the game. During this time Mangere forced to save and was called on to defend hard. Then their backs transferred play to Papakura’s twenty-five and a good kick to touch saw a scrum on the reds’ line, The ball came through the scrum and went to their threequarter who had no difficulty in touching down. The kick failed. Mangere 3; Papakura 0. A free kick to Mangere resulted in the line being found well down and Papakura was indeed lucky in forcing. The reds now took a turn and good forward play had Mangere. defending again. Blacklaws forced his way over the line but before he could touch down half a dozen defenders pushed him back into the field of play. From a scrum Pope set his backs going but a knock-on nullified the effort. Another passing rush was ineffective through poor handling and then a kick full into touch by James saw play transferred back to Papakura territory. A free kick to Mangere was kicked over the line and was forced. The next minute Bright figured in a good move which was held up in the home twenty-five. Play had been fast and furious and then from half way the prettiest try of the match was scored by Mangere. From a scrum the ball came out to their centre and then a hig forward took an inpass and beat, the field to touch down under the posts. This was converted and Mangere was eight points up. At this stage Mangere was playing like an inspired team and some very pretty movements were witnessed. They lost two or three chances through infringements but the visitors’ tackling left much to be desired, and shortly after another try was scored under the posts. This was converted and the score was: —• Mangere 13; Papakura 0. The pace was kept on and Mangere Mangere 10 Up. tried hard to improve the advantage. However, from one of their excursions into the home territory. Papakura was rewarded when Smith touched down from a forward melee. The kick missed and half time sounded with the score: Mangere 13; Papakura 3 On resuming it was evident that Papakura had still a lot of wind left and they were hammering away on the Mangere line for quite a while but without success. The siege was lifted hut. .Tames recovered lost ground with a good line kick A free kick to Papakura in a good position saw Pope’s attempt go under the bar. Stephens hold up a dancrerous attack and then Pope cut through nicely to gain ground. The home fullback, who had been playing a wonderful game, now got a Croat- kick In which put the reds defending. Then came a welcome breather while Blacklaws received attention. Half a minute later n Manarere played left, the field. Papakura was now getting desperate and great individual play resulted, the

honours going to the visiting forwards. Stephens was almost over, being grassed just short of his objective. A similar thing happened a minute later. From the resulting scrum, Pope got possession and forced his way across. His own kick went astray. Papakura 6; Mangere 13. A poor kick by James brought play back to Papakura’s twenty-five only to be returned for Stephens to be again grassed within inches of scoring. Papakura made frantic efforts to score, but the defence was magnificent. The game ended with play on the Mangere line and the reds outclassed in the hardest game of the season by 13 points to 6.

Notes. There is no doubt that Mangere deserved its win. Their forwards were tireless and wonderful on defence while the backs were displaying better combination and more effective penetrating ability. On the other hand the tackling by the reds, at times left a lot to be desired. Papakura’s backs seldom got going in their usual impressive manner and the writer is of opinion that the alteration in I lie placements, not only weakened the attack but was a dangerous experiment in such an important fixture. James, at fullback, had a day off and would possibly have strengthened the defence had he been changed to five-eighths at half time During the season it has been noticed that opportunities to try to improve position play by changing players round at half time, have not been taken. It was fairly obvious in this match that the team as it stood was not good enough so further experiments should have been attempted. THE THIRD INTERMEDIATES. GOAL KICKING WINS THE DAY FOR CITY. A feature of the third intermediate match at the domain, and indeed the deciding factor, was the goal kicking, for of the 20 points scored 14 came from kicks. Both sides scored one try but city left the field with a goal to their credit. On the run of the play it was evident that the teams were fairly evenly matched. Papakura had slightly the better of it but the same old tale of mishandling robbed them of certain points.

The Play. Papakura won the toss and played from the east. A startling movement by the visiting backs saw Fitzpatrick cross City’s line but an infringement saved City. However, from the resultant scrum a penalty to the reds gave Topliss a chance at goal which he accepted. Papakura 2; City 0. The next minute Watson was brought down just short and City cleared. With play at the other end City evened from a penalty kick. City 2; Papakura 2. City drew the defence prettily and sent the wing over for a good try which Strange converted. City 7; Pa P a ~ kura 2. Two more penalty kicks

were awarded City before half time,. Strange hoisting the flags on both occasions and at the bell City led by 11 to 2. In the second half Papakura made frantic efforts and City invaded red territory only twice in this half. Indeed City was hopelessly outclassed but mistakes through by Papakura lost easy chances. From a scrum in the home twenty-five Richardson cut through nicely and scored a good try which Topliss converted. Cain was unlucky when a goal post obstructed him from touching down and City forced. With the reds attacking strongly and continually City forced and kicked dead several times. Watson beat the opposition but slackened up and was caught from behind. Then Reid held on too long with supports waiting. Hammond was the next to be denied a try inches from the line. Richardson was hurt and retired. The reds had still further opportunities but the defence held. However, from a penalty kick Topliss added - another goal making Papakura two points behind. With only a few minutes to go Reid essayed a drop kick and narrowly missed evening the scores. A final hurst by the backs would have given victory had McTnnes, who came up fast, received the ball. The bell saved City, a great game ending in their favour by 11 points to nine. Mr Kirkland gave general satisfaction with the whistle and gave a good interpretation of the “advantage” rule.