LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 75, 1 July 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

PAPAKURA CLUB. SATURDAY’S GAMES. Results of Saturday’s matches:— Senior B; Otahiihu,' 7, Papakura, 2. Second grade; Manukau, 7, Papakura, 6. ■* Fourth, grade; Papakura, 17, Ponsonby, 3. . i ' it-. Fifth grade: Papakura, 3, Akarana, 3. G • ‘ ." ■ ■ SENIOR B MATCH. r With equal championship points, the Otahuhu and Papakura senior (B/j teams met at Papakura on Saturday in the final game in', the third round. In* spite of the continuous wet weather, Prince Edward,park was in good order and oniy light .'showers fell, during the game. ’ T'hese were, however, sufficient to , • make: the hall greasy, thereby militating against spectacular football. . . „

* As anticipated the game was a keenly- one, and the honours went to the” best team of the day, Otahuhu, it winning by the margin of a converted try. Bustling Tactics.

Right from the kick-off, Otahuhu pressed and continued bustling tactics throughout the. game. Not long after theif.commencement, with play in the locals’ twenty-five, a penalty gave Phillips a chance to kick a good* goal for Otahuhu. By fast following, GraigSmith got his man over Otahuhu’s line and a siege was set up. This lasted for sbme little time, during which Corntlrwaite made a good attempt to equalise the.score. The visitors’ defence was sure and play gradually worked down field. At half-way, Ross gained possession, and after a good run down the sideline he looked, like scoring. Hesitation, howevbr, cost him points, as he (was well tackled into touch. Neil the next to just miss a try—-he ! ‘ actually.crossed the line and appeared to ground the ball. He was., immediately forced back into the playing area, the. danger to Otahuhu being again removed. Pope, and then Cornthwaite, missed shots at goal from, penalties, and, half 7 time was called with Otahuhu leading.'by two points to nil. /

On resuming, the Otahuhu forwards again dominated play, and by ,ffst following were soon 'rewarded with'.a -try near the posts. This was converted, making the score: Otahuhu, 7s. Papakura, 0[ By good play, Papakura continually gained groynd but lost it as quickly as the result ' of combined \9srk by the visitors. Play see-sawed up and down the field, and on one occasion it looked as if Papakura had .scored by the posts. A drop-out was ruled, Otahuhu again clearing. Just on the call of time Pope goaled from a penalty, making the final score; Otahuhu, 7, Papakura, 2. • Otahuhu has won the championship for the. 1935 season. • ,• * Comments. Papakura fielded its best team, yet both on attack and defence it was inferior to the visitors’ side. At least half of the local team had not played for a fortnight, and it is safe to surmise that some had neglected to train. Papakura’‘s ‘ forwards can usually be \ depended on to outclass their opponents, but in this match the Otahuhu forwards were much superior; in fact, the visitors were without doubt the better, team on the day and showed signs of training, which is so necessary to win a championship final. Mr Fisher had a difficult match to control. Penalties to both sides were far too numerous from the spectators’ point of view. j