LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 79, 10 July 1935, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

PAPAKURA CLUB. THREE WINS REGISTERED. Saturday’s results are: — Senior B: Papakura 6, Green Lane a. Fourth grade: Papakura 18, Mt. Albert 0. Fifth grade: Papakura 18,- Richmond 8. Papakura’s three contests on Saturday proved successful, although the senior B's had a fairly close call against the new Green Lane team. For the second time this season only about half ol‘ the regular team assembled, and it was. only on account of being able to draw on players from the second grade team —it had a bye—that a full quota took the Held. To register a win in the knock-out round un-

fler these conditions was rather lucky. Supporters of the code who attended at Prince Edward park, Papakura, were rewai’ded with two good games. The fifth graders engaged Richmond first, and by playing superior football ran out winners by a 10poinls margin. Although there was nothing spectacular about the tries scored by the locals, as a team they are much improved, and undoubtedly deserved the success. On the other hand, the points scored by the visitors resulted from good play, coupled with extremely weak tackling by Papakura. As many of the players are just starting on their football careers, it would not be amiss to say that a great deal depends on tackling, and if each player made sure of getting his man properly, that is all that is expected of him. The abortive, onehanded attempts to stop a player, so prevalent in this match, were a distinct handicap to the team. The fullback, who invariably waited for the ball to bounce, was lucky that it bounced the rigfit way on several occasions. The visitors were the first to register points from an unconverted try. They then made the fatal mistake of kicking to the centre of the field from j their own goal line. Fleming collected to score an easy try near the posts. This was'converted by Bilkey and Papakura led by s—.‘l. From loose play shortly after, Fleming, who played on the wing, scored as he landed in a pool of water near the corner. In an elusive run the same player again scored for Bilkey to convert. Just before half-time Richmond scored an unconverted try, making the score: Papakura 13, Richmond 6. On resuming, the visitors played much better football and set up a hot attack. They kicked a penalty goal before the position was relieved. Papakura then regained the ascendancy, and after some interesting play Bilkey scored a good try which he converted. With Papakura still on attack, the final whistle ended the game with the scores: Papakura 18, Richmond 8.

THE FOURTHS. As was predicted this game was full of thrills and was much more even than the score 18 —0 in Papakura’s favour, indicated. Mjt. Albert battled hard all through, but its movements lacked that little extra bit of finish which would have meant points. Mount’s forwards had it all over the local pack, both in the scrums and in

the. loose, and harassed the reds' backs ail day. The three Burgesses’, ably assisted by Reid as first five-eighth, were too solid a combination and some pretty tries resulted. Dick Burgess played his best ’game of the season, and opened the board with a well-deserved try after the other backs had all handled. Aukett’s kick from the sideline just missed. The bounce of the ball was the only thing that saved Ml. Albert a few minutes later, and then its winger made a meteoric dash down the sideline only to be pushed into touch 10 yards from the objective. Papakura came back from its twenty-five in a great passing rush which ended in Dick Burgess again scoring for his brother Bob to convert. Papakura 8, Mt. Albert 0.

in yet another passing bout Bob Burgess scored for Aukett to goal. After an invasion by Mt. Albert which should have been successful, the local backs got going. “Cutts” Burgess ran through the opposition and handed to Boh, who had no trouble in touching down near the posts. The easy kick was missed by Aukett, but shortly after “Cutts” Burgess goaled from a penalty well out, and the game ended: Papakura 18, Mt. Albert