LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 89, 5 August 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. MARGIN OF ONE POINT. Results at a glance:— Fifth grade: Ellerslie 9, Papakura 0, Senior B: Papakura 8, Otahuhu 7. To enable the local senior B’s to play the knock-out Anal with Otahuhu on Saturday, several players from the second, grade team were requisitioned and this meant that the second grade team was compelled to default its own engagement. The borrowed players acquitted themselves so well that the seniors were able to win the knock-out, beating Otahuhu. their old rivals, by one point. The game was played on the Manulcau ground. A cold northerly wind swept the length of the field making ideal football conditions out of the question. Though herd and fast, the game was not of a thrilling nature and

the large number of spectators were not treated to much spectacular play. If anything, Papakura (thanks to their forwards), had the better of the game though poor handling on many occasions lost them, hard-earned territorial advantages. On the other hand,. Otahuhu’s defence was superb, and to this may be attributed the evenness of the scores.

Winning the toss Otahuhu elected to play with the wind and sun in their favour. It was not long before the strong wind carried the leather from a high kick to the reds’ twenty-five, but play returned to Otahuhu's quarter quickly. After about ten minutes’ play a forward raid by Papakura carried operations to Otahuhu’s line. Here the,reds’ three-quarter, Ross, snapped up and dived over for a comparatively easy try. The wind was too tricky for Pope’s kick. The Gap Narrowed.

It was not long before a penalty to Otahuhu gave Phillips a chance at goal from near half-way. The kick was a beauty and made the score: Otahuhu 2, Papakura 3. Up till this incident, the backs of either side had hardly handled the ball, and certainly had not indulged in any concerted movements. With the forwards still battling it out at midfield, Stan away made an opening for the blue backs which ended in a good try near the corner. This was converted with another great kick by Phillips and put Otahuhu in the lead by 7 points to 3.. The score was unchanged at the breather, the balance of the play being very mediocre. On changing ends, Otahuhu appeared contented to hold their opponents, and made few excursions into red territory. With everything in their favour, Papakura seemed to lack inspiration, their forwards only keeping play in their opponents’ twenty-five, but were unable to penetrate stern defence. Pope had a shot or two at goal which went astray, and when the opposition expected a further attempt he short punted down the sideline. Supported by the Taylor brothers, Pope raced away, catching the defence astray, the movement ending in a good try by Len Taylor. Pope’s kick again missed ,the wind diverting it to the side of the post at the critical moment. With only a point between the teams, play brightened up, Papakura at last making an attempt to open up the game. The defence still held, the Otahuhu backs being called on repeatedly to repel attacks. With only two or three minutes to go, it looked Otahuhu’s game, but a penalty gave Pope a difficult chance at goal from the sideline. Making plenty of allowance for the -strong cross wind, the kick appeared hopeless, but the wind carried it fair and square between the posts. This reversed the position, putting Papakura a point in the lead. Now Otahuhu made a last minute attempt to snatch the game out of the fire and almost met with success. The final whistle sounded with the Otahuhu forwards scrambling on Papakura’s line when Papakura forced to save. The final score was:— Papakura 8 Otahuhu 7