In 1935, Canadian Football consisted of 5 separate leagues, which only competed within its own league during the regular season. Each league would have teams that would qualify for the post-season, and the right to compete for the 23rd Grey Cup Championship. This included the IRFU (Interprovincial Rugby Football Union), the ORFU (Ontario Rugby Football Union), the CIRFU (Intercollegiate Rugby Football Union), the MRFU (Manitoba Rugby Football Union), and the ARFU (Alberta Rugby Football Union). On the field, it was the Hamilton Tigers taking the IRFU by one game over the Toronto Argonauts, the Sarnia Imperials would dominate the ORFU with a perfect 4-0 record, the University of Toronto would take the CIRFU by only a half game over Queen's University, the Winnipegs would finish a perfect 3-0 and take the MRFU, and the Calgary Bronks would also finish the season with a perfect 4-0 to take the ARFU. In the first round of the playoffs, it was Queen's University over Toronto Varsity Blues 6-4, the Sarnia Imperials would win a two game series over Toronto Balmy Beach 8-0 and 9-1 for a total of 17-1. In a Quarter-Final matchup it was the Hamilton Tigers all over Queen's University 44-4. In the Semi-Finals, it was the Hamilton Tigers over the Sarnia Imperials 22-0, and the Winnipeg Pegs over the Calgary Bronks 7-0 to set up the match-up for the 23rd Grey Cup Championship. The 23rd Grey Cup was played on December 7, 1935, at Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association Grounds, with 6,405 fans in attendance. It marked the first time that a team from west of Ontario won the Grey Cup. The Winnipeg 'Pegs defeated the Hamilton Tigers 18–12. Winnipeg scored on the first play from scrimmage in the game. Hamilton kick returner Jack Craig failed to catch the Winnipeg kickoff and Winnipeg recovered. On the next play Bob Fritz completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bud Marquardt but the convert failed. Hamilton was able to respond with a field goal. In the second quarter Winnipeg's Russ Rebholz completed a touchdown pass to Greg Kabat and this time the convert was good. Each team scored a single to make the halftime score 12-4. In the third quarter Hamilton's Eddie Wright recovered a blocked kick and returned it to the Winnipeg 15 yard line. Wilf Patterson capped a four play drive to run in for the touchdown. The convert and a Frank Turville single brought Hamilton to within two points. With the score 12-10, ace Winnipeg punt returner Fritz Hanson who had 334 yards in punt returns on the day received a punt near his 30-yard line and returned it 78 yards for the touchdown. Hamilton however forced Winnipeg to give up a safety leaving them a converted touchdown behind. The Tigers marched to the Winnipeg four. A running play went nowhere, so Hamilton tried an onside kick into the end zone. This failed but the Tigers retained possession and on the last play of the game again attempted the onside kick. This time Hanson recovered and ran the ball out of the end zone denying Hamilton even the rouge.