ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1240, 23 September 1911, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

CAUTERISING A SHIELD REFEREE. [Br Centce-Half.] Should We Have Won? Owing to various causes there were numerous defections from tho original team selected to mako tho journey to Christchurcli. Both full-backs and tlireo forwards wore unable to accept, while, in addition to these, must be added tlio untimely illness of Godsalve whilo in the southern city, Hessey being wired for at tho last moment. Consequently the challengers did not represent tlio full strength, of Wellington football, but the nien ppt up a valiant fight, and gained a moral victory, netting tho ball three tiraea to their opponents' once. An early goal scored by the captain, W. Phillips, of the Hospital Club, gave his niea confidence, but Canterbury soon equalised, and, with tho wind, gave Cockburn and his backs plenty of work to keep them out. Tlio keeper was in his finest form, and showed such skill and resource that lie was never again boaten during the afternoon. The challengers were greatly handicaplied by lack of height and weight, the forwards finding the brothers Fullarton towers of strength for tho holders in more ways than one. Tho game was marked by some weird notions of the laws of tho game as expounded by the select of Otago—Mr. Parker. It may be supposed that this gentleman represents tho cremo-de-la-creme of the Otago Referees' Association, but judged by liis rulings, and exhibition of tactlessness with the players, one is forced to think hard. That reported tendency to substitute personal opinions in place of official decisions on the "laws of the game"—is it, after all, truo? A Few Instances. To give a few instances of the controller's inability to rise to the occasion at a critical moment and prove his capacity for a big match, Mr. Parker was very remiss when he refused to consult Wellington's linesman as to the legality of the second goal scored by E. Phillips from Hesscy's centre,.that player having worked the ball close to tho line about a yards from the goalpost before screwing across. Mr. Parker whistled for a goal, and the players were lined up for tho re-start when tho Canterbury linesman claimed that tho ball had gone oyer tho goal-lino before being netted. None of the defenders had claimed, being satisfied that it was a good goal, but, during tho time that the ball was uetted and being placed in tho cent.ro (a period of some minutes) the linesma.u was influenced at that lato moment to make his claim, which tho referee upheld, being quito correct in doing so, if satisfied as to the facts. But Mr. Parker should most certainly have consulted both linesmen under the' circumstances, but, as the event showed, lie acted on the word of one only, and in contradistinction to this, ho politely and publicly snubs Wellington's linesman, who flagged (ns in duty bound)' for a foul throw-in, telling him that, "I have charge of this gamo!" He also penalised Mr. Phillips for a supposed breach of tho rules, the real offender being Fullarton, who tackled the Wellington man unfairly, but incidentally fell into his own trap, the referee not being acute enough to discern the wrongdoer. who apparently was tho sufferer. After placing the ball.for the free-kick, he threatened tlic captain with marching orders for appealing, but, walking towards Canterbury's goal, he gave tho impression that it was Wellington's freckick after all, and Phillips promptly scored. Consequently more wild words and displays of autocracy. It is to tie hoped that, before next season, a referees' instructional school will be opened in Otago, and, in this laudable endeavour to raise their standard, perhaps our "worthy, but untutored" friend, "Left-wing," will lond_ his valuablo assistance. and no doubt imbibo soma useful himself. '.