REPLY TO RUGBY.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1924, Page 1

REPLY TO RUGBY.

(To the Editor). Sir.— Iti yesterday's issue, “Itugby” voiced his feelings against the refereeing in the seven-aside tournament on ' Tuesday last. He particularly had a fling at the referee in the final of the junior competition, Aral turn v. lloss, describing it as “the most scandalous exhibition ever witnessed on Cass* Square." This is a very sweeping assertion and entirely unwarranted, and makes one wonder what claims “Itugby” has, to ho a critic of such a sweeping nature. The writer, who has had a long experience, hath as a player and a referee. has nothing but commendation for the manner in which the referee controlled that particular game. indecisions were promptly given, though •■n ci asinn they were not as severe its the writer would have been, in a iiumber of the passing rushes, where the ball, on several occasions was passed several yards forward into a fellow player's hands, who was palpably off-

side. \v!u>ii imly n serum for forward hull, was five'll. Apparently the ntimher of penalties given against tln* losing team has upset “Knghy.” hut the referee is not t i he blamed. if the penalties were in aecordanee with tlie rules, and who can gainsay the fact that there were many llagrant hreaehes of the handling of a dead hall, and of illegal interference oith opposing players, light through

the pimp. On some occasions, in the la it or broaches, iliov were .sticli as arc likely at any time to cause ill-feeling, to say the least. among the players. As the report mentioneil. tile losing team lost much valuable ground and pood onenings repeatedly through the referee rightly penalising them for theii breaches of the rules, and it was mainly owing to those repeated lapses from the rules and spirit of the game, that nullified the very line passing; exhibition they put ui), and cost them the game. Iteferring to the senior semi-linn! the

writer recognised lie whs not in a position to judge. and in any event the derision of a referee on actual fact is linai. and his decision must he accepted. It is (if no use raising the question of what wa.s or what was not. the referee ruled, and whether he made a mistake* or not, his ruling must he accepted in the true sporting spirit which the playing of the game is expected to foster.

I it 111 ete., TIIIS J-’OOTUAUj HL'lUlir: