FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17121, 16 April 1921, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

■—• ' j THIS AFTERNOON'S RUGBY GAMES. The -Senior -Cup matches for this afternoon are—Old Boys v. 'Varsity, on the . at Lancaster Piir!<; Christ church v. Merivaie, at Lancaster Park; Marists v. Sydenham, at the Show Grounds, and Linwood v. Albion, at iLinwood Park. The toams are all meeting for the first time this reason, and some very fast, even cont?s-t-3 should be seen. AH matches wi'l cominsnce at 3 p.m. THE RANFURLY SHIELD. A Thursday night's meeting of the Southland Kupby Union the -first challenge to Southland to plav ■ for the Ranfurly Shield was received. The'application came from North Auckland (headquarters Whangarei). Tho chairman stated that the application was not for the Southland Union to deal with; the question would bo dealt with at a meeting or the X-*->v Zsaland Rugby Union. - NEW ZEALAND TEAM'S TOUR; (By Cable—Press Aroocist'on—CopTiVht 1 (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, April 15. Mr Miller, secretary of tho New South Wales Rugby League, stated that the New Zsaland team's Australian tour was not officially cancelled. . Everything was definitely arranged for the visit. THREATENED STRIKE OF REFEREES. An entirely now category of persons have threatened'a. strike, and' that for rather curious refor.s. At latest advice the Lombardy football referees talked of putting their whistles in their pockets and turning their bncJw on. the pla.yera. The reason for this threat lies in the fact (ho.t tho reforees con-•sidetr-themße'.Te* "the martyrs of the F]>brt." The.v are striking against tho; "barracking" of the crowd, which takes to heart the fortunes of its own side with more enthusiasm than understanding. Consequently referees' decisions adverse to the team playing on their own grour.'J are apt to bo violently disputed, while an avalanche-of opprobrius epithets is launched at the giver of an unpopular decision. This .class of men even complain that (hey hhvo, had *to"<fear for- their pyrsona.l safety on Fome Oocfisipns, and they state that' the authorities" do not givo them adequate protection. ; - ; .