Football

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 28, 20 August 1889, Page 3

Football

" Drop kick" in the N.Z. Referee has the following reference to the recent match between Palnierston and Feilding : — The editor handed me a telegram on Wednesday afternoon contained the following query : — "If a team walk off the field and declines to play the game out do they forfeit the match or not ?" According to the laws of the game " each side shall play from either goal for an equal time." If a team leaves the ground before time is enlled the laws of the game are broken at once, and the team which remains can of course apj_«a to the Rugby Uno i — if any ilaim be needed. The teiegrani refers to the match between Feilding and Palmerston, and I am afraid the Palmerston men have laid themselves open to a far graver charge than that of onl} r having the game given against tUem They protested against a try being awarded to Feilding, and say the man who scored bad the ball passed for* ward to him. The rule partially quoted in the " Answers to Correspondence" column distinctly states that it is the duty of a referee to report any person who disputes his decision to the Rugby Union, who siall in their discretion suspend any player &c. Now, by their action the whole Palmerston Fifteen have rendered themselves liable to suspension, and if the referee and Rugby Union of the district do their duty the Palmerston Club will play no more matches this year. Is the referee to be set totally at defiance ? What is the use of having officials at all if their decisions are to be totally disregarded. Umpires are but human, and the best of them make errors at times. Feilding scored a goal in the match, while Palmerston failed to gain a point, and after the latter had left the field if ■ Feilding were so minded they could have remained on the ground and scored tries, had places at goal, and kicked off again until ihe referee announced that time was up. Consequently I take it that the Palmerston men have no claim on the game. The following is the " answer to correspondent" referred to :— " J.E.H." (Feilding)— lf a team leaves the field they of course forfeit all claim to a match. According to Rule 49 "it is the duty of the referee to report immediately to the Rugby Union committee auy player who disputes any of the declaions ; and tho Rugby Union committee shall in their discretion suspend the offender, and any club which plays with or against him during suspension, for such period as they think fit." The Palmerston team has protested to the union against the decision of the referee in the late match against Feilding. The Manawatu Rugby Union meets on Saturday next to decide the matter. Following are the matches the Feilding teams have set to play : — Ist fifteen against Wanganui date not fixed, against Marton about 14th September, club match colonies v. the world August 31. 2nd fifteen against Bulls Ist on the 7th September. Other matches will be arranged for the 2nd fifteen before the season closes. Representative matches will be arranged by the union on Saturday. It will thus be seen that this seasons play is not near finished yet, so it is to be hoped the players will all keep in good form until the last match is played, and not do as they did last season, neglect to practice and let the Marton boys come down and give them another beating to finish up with. The Marton team has proved them elves one of the best teams on the coast this season by the easy manner in which thej' have defeated their opponents in the last three of four' matches they have played, and the Feilding team will have to be in their best form to beat them the next time fchej' meet. The match with Wangahui will, no donb f , create a deal of interest as the Wangahi i record for this season is unHgquailed oh this coast, and they .have won -six matches, scoring 33 points and only :.had 1 point scored against them, and hava lost :a niatch. • - ' ,i.jTjie Ist forwards and 2nd backs will play the Ist backs and 2nd forwards on Saturday next.