LEAGUE CODE

Franklin Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 57, 24 May 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

LEAGUE CODE

PAPAKURA’S GREAT FIGHT GAME AGAINST RICHMOND A HARD, CLEAN MATCH Although, beaten on points by Richmond on Saturday afternoon at Prince Edward Park, Papakura, in the senior league match, Papakura was not disgraced. Papakura was lucky in one sense in having to face Dave Soloman, the ex-Rugby All Black, who only signed up with Richmond on Friday, because it should be an object lesson to the members of the local team to see such a heady player in action. No one could anticipate him. He had his opponents bewildered all the time. Papakura notwithstanding slashing criticism by sideliners of their backs from veterans of bygone days, was just as good a team as Richmond and proved it by scoring point for points 17 all, until just before the close of play, Richmond, for some reason or other, seemed to have a magic spell and piled up the extra six points.

Outstanding Players

Valuable work was done for Papakura by H. M. Milliken. another exAll Black, Herkt. Cooke (with his boot) and Reeves. Yet one player. “Snowy” Cossey, although doing nothing particularly spectacular, was outstanding all through the match. There was a large attendance when the teams filed out as follows: —

Richmond: Bramley, Mills, Tittleton (captain), Furnell, Graham, Soloman, Watkins. Broadhead, Mitchell, McLeod, Divine, Satherley, Hadley.

Papakura: Mclnnes, McKay, Hosken, Cooke*, Wright, Reeves, Crocker, Cossey. Fogarty (captain), Milliken, Wills, Dobbyn, Herkt. Play commenced with Soloman immediately in the picture, but Reeves drove Richmond back with a line kick. Good rucking play by Papakura forwards took play into Richmond territory. where Milliken was prominent. The Papakura forwards were more than holding their own. A nice bit of play followed when Hosken played deep into Richmond’s half, carrying the ball at toe. Soloman put in a pretty run but Reeves saved a certain try by upending him. Milliken was again prominent in a forward struggle and the game which had been going quarter of an hour opened well in Papakura’,s favour. Cooke from a penalty taken just outside the twentyfive mark, kicked a good goal. Papakura, 2: Richmond, 0. In a movement from a scrum in the twenty-five Watkins passed to Soloman. to Furnell, who ran round the posts to score. Devine making no mistake with the kick. Richmond 5; Papakura, 2. Papakura pressed again and were unlucky when Cooke hit the bar from a penalty kick, the ball rebounding into play. From a set scrum Soloman was prominent and dummied his way through but a forward, pass nullified the movements. Richmond were now throwing the ball about in grand style. At this stage Wright retired injured and was replaced by Basham. A great rush by Herkt and Hosken carried play to Richmond’s line and from a penalty Cooke landed another goal. Richmond, 5; Papakura, 4. Soon after Devine had a shot at goal and was unsuccessful, but Soloman came along, picked up the ball, dummied his way. in zig-zag fashion and scored iff the corner. Devine missed the kick. Richmond, 8: Papakura. 4. Papakura backs were not tackling. On the contrary the forwards were pulling their men down. Cooke found touch close lo Richmond’s line. He later made a good break through but a wild pass spoilt a chance. Papakura forwards kept hammering away at Richmond, and after 40 minutes’ play Crocker scored a try in the corner from a melee. With a great kick from the side-line Cooke converted. Papakura. 0: Richmond, 8. Watkins scored in the corner just as the first spell ended. Richmond. 11 : Papakura! 0.

Papakura in Front Again On resumption, good play by Cossey made an opening for Croelcer to uo over to score in the corner. Papakura. 12: Richmond 11. Tliis score was the signal for wild cheering by Papakura supporters. A free kick for an infringement by Richmond saw Cooke semi a beauty over. Papakura. Id: Richmond. 11. Furncll. after a nice run. scored in ihe corner. Papakura. Id: Richmond. Id. Hard play next on Ihe Papakura line resulted in Mitchell forcing ids way across the line. Richmond.":! 7 : Papakura. Id.

Papakura were pressing hard now and looked to have a certain try in the corner, but it was disallowed. Papakura were soon over again when Crocker came from the scrum, passed to Reeve who sent Mctnnes in at the corner. Richmond, .17: Papakura, 17. Hobbyn retired hurt. In the last 10 minutes Richmond could do nothina- wrong and Papakura nothing right. Richmond broke away and carried play rigid down to Papakura’s line for Mitchell to score. Richmond. 20: Papakura. 17. A great battle in the corner resulted in Mills going across, making the final score: Richmond, 23: Papakura. T 7.