FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1923, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

[nr TET/EGiurn —rER tress association.]

CANTERB URY-OTAG 0 DISPUTE. CHIIISTCHURCII, Sept. 12 A meeting of the Management Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union was held to-night in consequence of the Marist Club’s action in regard to the Otago ’Varsity match. Mr S. F. Wilson (chairman) said ho had dono everything he could to have the ’Var-siSv-Marists’ match plnp'od. He had met Mr McDonald, the Marists’ selector, on Tuesday night, and went so far as to promise that if tho club dropped Devine altogether, he would ask tho committee to consider tho question of allowing 11. Mullins to play. 11. Mullins -was a legitimate member of the Marist Club, although he had not played this season. “However, I don’t think Devine had any right at all to play in the match,” ho added. The president said Mr Pavne had done everything ho could to bring the match to a. successful issue, and his efforts had unfortunately failed. Tho union had now to decide what loam would play the ’Varsity. It was decided to endorse tho president's action in arranging for the match to he played between ’Varsity and Mori vale.

‘•That means we practically agree to a ’Varslty-Merivalo match on Saturday next,’ 5 said Mr Wilson. The president said it had hecn made perfectly clear to Otago that it would he an exhibition match, and not a match for the Payne trophy. The Merivalo Clnb would have no difficulty in putting its host team in the field. CHRISTCHURCH, Sent. 12. Re i lie -\larisi-Otago University football deadlock, in a statement issued on behalf of the committee of the Marist Pros’ Old Boys’ Club, Mr Aston, the club secretary, says: “li is a great pity tlie misunderstanding has arisen, but it has to ho admitted that the. misunderstanding is entirely due (o the fact that the Canterbury Rugby Union lias failed to draw up conditions under which the Payne trophy would he competed for. Every member of the Marist team chosen for the match against Dundin ’Varsity is a bona fide member of the Marist Club, and has fulfilled the residential qualifications, and would be eligible to play in the senior competitions of the Canterbury Rugby Union, if tbc competition had been played to a conclusion after the Marist-Merivalo match. “It is a pity,” adds Mr Aston, “that the negotiations for this match have not been left to the two clubs concerned. The introduction of a condition that players who lake part in tbo Payne trophy 1 natch must have played at least three games in tho union competition is not only arbitrary, but it is utterly destructive of team football competition.” ! APT, BLACK. TKA.tr CHANGE. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept, 12 O. Turpin, a member of the Linwood Club, went, north fo-night to join the twenty New Zealand players in I raining for the third test. Turpin has previously represented Canterbury and the South Tslamf. lie replaces Parker, ■rtlio is on the injured list. i LEAGUE I’R KMfERSHIP. j

(Received this dnv at S a.m.) SYDNEY. Sep. 11. Fourteen thousiind witnessed tin keenest struggle tor the l.enguo Kent ball premiership, when East Sydney defeated South Sydney by lb to 12. NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM WIN. HAMILTON, Sept. 12 The Rugby football mutch, New South Wales versus South Auckland, was played before a large crowd today. Heavy rain made the gromit difficult, and the ball slippery. Tin visitors bad the- best of the first spell, which ended New South Wales ti (try scored by .Meagher); South Auckland nil. In the second spell, the home foam improved and Gray scored. Malloy converted. Exciting play followed, and the passing rushes of the visitors were very fine. Near the close of the game Nothling and Thorn scored for the visitors. Nothling converted his own score. 1 lie game ended : New South Males 11: South Auckland b. The game was interesting. The heller team won, although the state of <' ground war, against good football. CANTERBURY BEAT MAYAWATI’. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 12 In the- filial reprosentatvie match of the season, Canterbury defeated Alima--watu by 31 points to 1G I J'»n