H. Milliken, Ex-All Black, Leads Papakura To Victory

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1939, Page 3

H. Milliken, Ex-All Black, Leads Papakura To Victory

League

SUPERIOR WEIGHT AND CO-ORDINATION TOLD THE TALE WHEN PAPAKURA RUGBY LEAGUE SENIORS MET A COMBINED CITYPORTLAND TEAM AT JUBILEE PARK ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THE VISITORS WINNING 21—12.

Led by H. Milliken, former Canterbury All Black, the formidable Papakura pack harried the home rearguard unceasingly, and in the first, spell their backs broke through repeatedly with swift, penetrating movements to rattle up a 16—3 lead at half time. In the second half the home team rallied to secure three unconverted tries against one converted effort by the visitors. The match was Northland players’ second against a visiting team this season.

backs again handled. From a scrum on the home line. Cossey burst through before handing on for Milliken to touch down.

A scrum just inside Papakura ground saw the home backs attempting to get away, but the visiting forwards, breaking fast, smothered the movement.

There was a long stoppage while Pickrang received attention for an ankle injury which left him much subdued. Then followed a period of tight midfield play until Child was beaten to the ball, but Cook kicked too hard, and the leather went over the dead-ball line. SPECTACULAR SCORE. Displaying a brilliant swerve, Cossey cut right through the home backs and unloaded to Galloway on the wing, who dived for the corner and bagged a spectacular try, knocking himself out in the process. Mclnnes goaled from wide out with a beautiful kick, and half-time came immediately after with the score: Papakura 16, City-Portland Combined 3.

With Combined all out to make up the leeway, the second spell was played at a hard clip. Vaughan left the field and was replaced by Harold Parkes, who played in his socks, thus being on an equal footing with Galloway, who was also shy of footwear. Hard efforts by Lester and Murray carried the leather to the Papakura line, where Pickrang secured to send V. Payne over. Bradley’s kick missed narrowly.

HARD TACKLING

Again and again the homo backs essayed to break through, but were met by hard tackling.

Papakura turned defence into attack when Fogarty secured on the sideline, the ball going infield to McKay, and out again to Gibson, who steamed across near the posts. McInnes registered his second conversion making the tally 21—6 in Papakura’s favour.

Cook retired with a hand injury, and Combined rallied to desperate efforts. The backs went away in a movement which was successful when Mackie fired out to Murray for the latter to skip over for his second try. Play was anybody’s in the closing stagey, until Bradley cut through and handed on to Parkes, who was hauled down. A scrum ensued on Papakura’s line, and Bowyer broke through for Combined’s fourth try.

The same player’s kick went wide and at the final whistle, the score read Papakura 21, Combined 12.

Mr E, Bowyer was referee,