LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 100, 28 August 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE THIRD INTERMEDIATES. NORTH COTE WINS. A big crowd assembled at Prince Edward Park on Saturday to see the contest between tin* local learn and Northeote. The game was full of interest and provided the spectators with a good exhibition of the code. The visitors were expected to demonstrate their prowess on the fieid but disappointed to a degree—they were unable to finalise any sparkling movements mainly through the great defence Papakura put up. The game was a. triumph for the Papakura pack whose bustling tactics and splendid tackling earned them the admiration of the crowd. Had the local backs played with any sort, of combination and been better on defence, there is no question that the score would have been reversed. The final score of five points to nil was a good indication of the merits of the sides. Papakura’s great effotr by the forwards being offset by the undoubted superiority of the visitors’ backs.

The PlayPapakura kicked off, Northeote having a good wind and the sun in their favour. It was a matter of only a couple of minutes for play to work to the local twenty-five and almost immediately a penalty against the reds was accepted, giving them a two point gave Northeote a chance at goal. This lead. The local forwards got going but a big kick by the visitors found touch in goal. A scrum in neutral territory saw ttie visiting backs in action. There was general disappointment when the ball merely travelled across field and no ground gained. Watson came to light to put the home side on attack, but. an attempted field goal, being forced by Northeote. spoiled a chance. The wind was helping Northeote in their line kicks hut invariably the local forwards determinedly worked play hack. The visiting hacks had several attempts at passing rushes but were unable to penetrate the defence. Gain and Watson being prominent. Willi everything in their favour, sun. wind and plenty of the hall from serums, the visitors were unable to increase their score and half lime sounded with the honours very much in Pannkurn's favour, and the score: Northeote 2: Papakura 0.

Early in the second half a free to Northeote round lou •’ ' lr *sc to Papnkurn’s goal line. The reds cleared to I lie twenty-five but an unexpected o-iff try came to Northeote through two red backs failing In retrieve a rolling hall. A good attempt to convert from Hie side line just missed and Hie visitors were five points up. Papakura now clapp ’d on 11m pace and had the visitors defending grimly. Topliss had a shot at goal from a hand.'- position. Imt missed. Tlmu Richardson

had a try from an easier position and missed. For a breach by an opposing player Richardson was given another chance but the ball went outside the posts again. Several penalties were given against Northcote, and chances lost when these were not en quickly wilh the visitors out of po*j ition. Play worked back to the otherend and n nice movement by Northcote broke down through a forward pass, when the defence had been beaten. The balance of the game was a tussle between the forwards. Northcote had established unquestionable supremacy in the scrums, but the inside backs kicked into touch in preference to keeping the game open. Thus, the headway being made by the effective line kicking-. A red onforwards in the loose, was lost through slaught near the end ,saw Cain overkick to the dead hall area when a. passing movement may have borne Iruit. Northcote maintained their season’s record of not having its line crossed when the game ended with no alteration to the scores and Papakura attacking strenuously. The game wasr very ably controlled.

ELLERSLIE DSSAPPOIIMTS. The friendly game between the local and Elterslie fifth graders did not eventuate on Saturday. The local team took the field at 2 p.m. and when at 2.J0 there was no appearance of the others, a seven aside practise was dulged in . -This proved interestingwith the Burgess brothers opposed to each other, and kept the crowd aroused till the main match started. it is rather unfortunate that when a team, does not intend filling its obligations, no effort is made to notify the opposing club. This kind of thing does not tend to popularise the code and of-* ten puts the other team to no littletrouble assembling their players.