RUGBY LEAGUE.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 63, 3 June 1936, Page 8 (Supplement)

RUGBY LEAGUE.

THE GAME AT PAPAKURA. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior B: Papakura 16, Point Chevalier, 9. Third grade: Papakura 8, Point Chevalier A, 5. Fifth grade: Papakura 3, Newton 0. Sixth grade: Papakura 12, Avondale 0. Papakura’s new team lost against Green Lane sixths, the score being: 'Green Lane 19, Papakura. 5. It was a tribute to the PapakuraPoint Chevalier fixture at Prince Edward Park, on Saturday, that about 200 spectators were present despite counter attractions. The match with Point Chevalier has for several years been a star attraction which followers of the league at Papakura. Saturday’s game maintained the standard and Papakura won by 16 points to nine, but at no stage of the game were the visitors outclassed. Every few minutes provided thrills. For the first half Papakura could be counted lucky to gain a 6 —4 lead. Their forwards were dull and unimpressive while Point Chevalier’s pack was-vir-ile and hard working. In the rearguard ' Papakura were dominant, though many chances went begging through over eagerness and penalties were frequent for, offside play *as a result. In the second half Papakura forwards asserted themselves and a marked improvement was seep. The passing and tactics of the backs was a delight to watch. The veteran, E. Pope, showed that he has lost none of his brilliance, while the Burgess combination earned further laurels. W. Gornthwaite played for the greatei part of the match at fullback. He was responsible for a great deal of useful work. Hely, who took Richardson’s place and played on the wing, filled the position with credit. SIXTH GRADE. . It was a “snappier” sixth grade team which stepped on the field for the cur-tain-raiser. The boys were wearing a new set of jerseys and they evidently had made up their minds to prove themselves worthy of them. As a result the match was as good as any seen on the park this season. The Papakura team threw the ball about from the kick-off and in real league style. Their efforts were rewarded by four unconverted tries. The team possesses backs which are capable of brilliant efforts, if combination is developed. The best performance w r as given by the captain. 11. Smith, who paved the way for much of the initial success. J. Osborne showed a “headiness” and a' good effort by him was rewarded by a brilliant try, which he scored' alongside the posts. There is ahvays a mixed feeling about seeing a fullback score but R. Irwin can be congratulated on having accomplished this rare feat; a determined dash is never without merit. It was a little unfortunate that success appeared to lead the team to a tendency to hang on in the final minutes of the game. By putting the ball out unselfishly four tries were scored and had this continued till the end of the match the score would have been much greater for Papakura. THIRDS AND,iFIFTHS. The Papakura club had a good day on Saturday altogether as both the fifth grade and third grade teams playing away secured wins. A count of championship points reveals that in nineteen games played this season Papakura has sustained only one loss with one game drawn. The club has four teams and a fifth is to commence in the seventh grade competition in a week or two. On. Saturday the new' team played a friendly match with Greenlane sixths, and w’ere defeated by 19 points to 5.