INCOMPLETE RUGBY SERIES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 158, 22 July 1937, Page 8

INCOMPLETE RUGBY SERIES

Waiving of Unplayed Games in Meantime UNION'S SUGGESTION A decision to ask the Hastings itugby Sub-Union to consider the waiving ivP the meantime of the uncompleted portion of the s-xtli eeries of the combined senior championship and to consider the matter once more after tlio seventh ahd eighth series have been played on the dates originally arranged was made by the Hawice 's Bay Rugby Union la'st evening. The difficulty arose from the faet that although the senior games in Hastings were postponed la-3t Saturday, those dn Napier were played. Hastings suggested that the games played last Saturday should be ignOred for eompetition purposes and that the whole series should be replayed. "The position is that there are two postponement committees, one in Napier and one in Hastings," 6aid the cliairman, Mr J. W. Norrie, at the union meetiug in Napier last evening, "and the arrangement in the past wae that no decision regarding a postponement was to be made before 11 a.m. on the day of the match. On this cccasion, however, Hastings had already deeided, probably with suffieient justifieation, because the grounds were not in a fit condition for play. "Because of the dearth of Saturdays and the facta that the junior matches were played and the grounds in Napier were in fit condition, we deeided at 11 a.m. to play. Games are played in much worse conditions in other centres, because if they did not play on sueh days they would probably never play. We could not afford to postpone the matches owing to- our full programme, but unfortunately Hastings did not see eye to eye with us, and the Hastings team concerned in one match in Napier forfeited. Personally, I think we. were tjuite justified in our decision." "F.orfeited Under Protest." Mr W. Lockhead: Hastings H.S.O.B. forfeited under protest. They consider chat they play under the jurisdiction of the suo-union, ap.d that af that body decides upon a postponement, then the matches are off. Mr Norris: That was never suggested. i'hey said that they forfeited because so many of their play ers had colds and injuries that they could not field a team. If that is so, then they could not have played in fine weather. Mr Lockhead: The position is not aatisfaetory. We are playing a combined eompetition, and the postponement coimnittees cannot agree. Mr B. Tweedie: There zuust.be. a unanimous decision one way or-./th.§' other. _ ,fv" Mr Norris; Whai I object to is ihe Hastings committee deciding before 11 o 'clock. Mr Lockhead: They assured me that they did not b'roadcast their decision until after 11 o 'clock. Several players rang up, but were told to ring after 11. Mr N. A. McKenzie: Say it happens again? The eompetition is not going to be finished. Mr E. A, Mosley: It looks as. if the tail is wagging the dog. Mr Norno: l'm not going" to stand a committee in Hastings deciding before they confer with us. There has never been any trouble previously. Mr Lockhead: But oventually the two committees came into contact with one anothOr. "Sliould Not Be Played Again." Mr Norrie: "What is the use of that when one of them has defmitely deeided what it is going to do? The sole questioii now is: Whcn'are we going. to play the balance of the series? ,v Mr Tweedie: I definitely say that the teams which played should not be penalised by having to play again. Mr Norrie; There is no reason why the eompetition should not go on and the games take place at the end of the season. Mr E. A. Young: Their suggestion ia ridiculous. The games should not be played again. Mr F. Cray: They don't care so long as they get a game. It docsn't affect the eompetition. Mr Norrie: That is not the question. Mr McKenzie: The idea is to play those games next Saturday at Hastings. Those teams will both have two men away, just the same as they did last Saturday. • Mr Mosley: The players wish to aee the representative match. The motion to waive the uncompleted series in the meantime was then passed, an amendment by Mr H. Y. Phillips that the union make the decision without the consideration of the sub-union lapsing for want of a seconder. Thus the Technical-Marist and M.A.C.-Have-lock games will be played as scbeduled on July 31. f oi] owed by' the M.A.C.Marist series on August 3. If the missing games are then found to have a bearing on the championship they will be played, probably in place of the last series.