FURTHER ATTACK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 137, 4 August 1941, Page 5

FURTHER ATTACK

OPOTIKI CRITIC'S ACTION WHAKATANE UNION OBJECTS At a meeting of the Whakai lane Rugby Union held on Wed- • nesday last the Opotiki paper's reports on rough play in the recent Shield match was again discussed. The president, Mr W. S. Henderson, sitated that, the Opotiki News sports scribe hadi followed up his first infamous and unjustified attack on the play of Whakatane team, by <ai further article which was of an even more vindictive standard. He then read the article to thle meeting. Mr Schmidt: "This has now degenerated to an unwarranted personal attack 011 our president.* Mr Peebles: "Is the Opotiki Union in any way associated with the charges?" Mr Thompson: "Has the Opotiki Union made any statement clisassorciating itself with the imputations." No Action "To iny knowledge," said Mr Hen derson, "I regret to state that the Opotiki Union has not made any move to dispel the unfortunate impressions that have been created by the Opotiki paper's anonymous sports writer.' 1 " The Rev Wharetini Rangi: "Do you know the identity of the writer known as the 'Krou.* "It may come as an unpleasant surprise," stated another member. "He states that the referee remarked at half time that he was 'getting it from spectators and u:mtpires'," 1 said Mr Peebles. "I was 0112 of the two umpires and did not speak to the referee at any, stage of the game. The Avriter had no right to use the plural."

Player's Opinion Mr Old: "As one of the players taking part in the match I say definitely there was no dirty play. If a paper publishes this "tripe" and il spreads to the players what will other games be like." "To publish and ferment impressions of this serious nature is not in the interests of the game or the harmony that does and should exist between the two sub-unions," remarked Mr Bell. "I am not perturbed or concerned over any personalities introduced by the anonymous Opotiki writer," said Mr Henderson, "but I am concerned with the attack made on the prestige of the Whakatane Union and its representative team. To finally settle the matter and, I liopc, dis* pel the charges, I instructed the secretary during the week to apply to the Bay of Plenty Referees' Association for a copy of the referees report on the game concerned." The report was read as follows:— Referee's Report I have to report as follows on the Apanui Shield match, Opotiki v Whakatane, at Opotiki on Saturday sth July, 1941 Score: Opotiki 3; Whakatane 3. Conduct of Players: Very good. This game was a pleasure to control, as it was played in a clean competitive spirit. State of Ground: The ground was very well marked, but I. would suggest that, in view of the space available, the in-goal x area should be enlarged to at least 15 yards instead of the barely 10 yards at present; More padding should be put around the foot of the goal posts, as that already there would not be sufficient to avoid injury. Accidents: It was necessary for three players, G. Moore, Nuku and Lendrun, to leave the field. These injuries w r ere received during the general run of the game, and not in my opinion to unfair tactics. It was regrettable that no St. John Ambulance men were present. I understand that no branch of this Association is in Opotiki, and therefore in fairness to players and referee, I consider that the Union should arrange for a doctor to be present at all Shield matches. Mr Bell: "Surely that, is the answer, and surely the right thing will be done by the paper concerned." It was unanimously decided that a cony of the renort be sent to* the Opotiki paper.