FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

BARCLAY’S BONA FIDES. BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON, July 20. A fully attended meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held tonight. The following letter was received from the AYairarapn Union : "In the recent Shield match, played at Alasterton, between AVairarapa and H nwke’s Bay, my Union directs me to draw your attention to the inclusion ot AY. Barclay in the Bay team. From a reliable quarter. Barclay did not leave Auckland until .Tune 20. and was therefore not eligible to play lor the Bay team under Buie 43 of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Rules governing the selection of representative teams. Prior to the game on July 5), AYairarapa questioned the bona tides of Barclay. Hawke’s Bay proved he had been a resident for fourteen days, as provided hv tlio local Union for Club | contests. Hawke’s Bay have dearly broken the rule, and we ask the New Zealand Union to take action.” A lengthy discussion ensued. Eventually it was decided to request the Auckland Union to furnish evidence as to what qualification, if any. Barday possessed to play in Auckland this season, and also as to the date on which he left Auckland. It was also decided to ask the Hawke’s Bay Union for the date of Barclay’s arrival in their district. Both Unions were asked to furnish the information by noon on Saturday next, in time for a special meeting of the New Zealand Union, to deal with the AVairarapa protest. Tt was agreed that all challenges for the Ranfurly Shield should ho suspended in the meantime.

An Otago complaint that representative matches are pi'nyed too early in the season, thus interfering with Club matches, is to he referred to the delegates at the annual meeting. The Otago Union considered that Law ft). Clause B. which states that

" A player overtaking an opponent also running for the ball must not shove him from behind, unless he is stooping to pick up the ball,” was very dangerous. It was decided to draw the English Union’s attention to the rule.

The Chairman broached the question oi tlie appointment nt referees for Ranl'urly Shield matches, staling the X.Z. Union should do it. A discussion ensued in Committee on the ordering off of Quenton Donald (Wairnrapa) and Alaurice Brownlie (Hawke’s Bay), in the last Ranfurly Shield match, the referee, MV K. McKenzie, making a report. A resoi'ution was carried to permit country teams to go into camp for training not more than two clear days prior to important matches. MR McKRXZTE’S KESOJ/UTTOX. AfASTERTOX, July 20. At a meeting of the Wairnrapa Rugby Referees’ Association held at Carterton to-night, to consider the resignation of Air H. J. .McKenzie from the Secretaryship and the Appointment Board of the Association, Air -McKenzie stated that his action was due to the altitude of the, AVairarapa Union in their dismissal of the case against (,). Donald, who was ordered off the field with Alan rice Brownlie in a match against Hawke’s Bay. Air AlcKenzie stated that lie had warned Donald before ordering him of! lor punching in the serum and for folding a player in a line-out. '.ii AlcKenzie also stated that after the match the members of the AVairarapa team used insulting remarks to him which were supported bv a member ol the AVairarapa Union. lie intended to continue refereeing but felt lie would be more free if lie relinquished bis executive positions. I At the request of the meeting Air, AlcKenzie agreed to hold the matter over till it is referred to a meeting of the New Zealand Referees’ Association. Tlie AVairarapa Association passed a vote of confidence in Air AlcKenufe and expressed the hope that he would see his way clear to continue with ills good work.

EASY WAIRAEAPA WIN. PALMERSTON NORTH, Jui'y 20. Six thousand attended the Showgrounds to-day to witness the Combined Manawalu-Horowhenua team go down by 23 to 3 to Wairarapn. By no •stretch of imagination could the game, he called interesting, as the Combined team lacked combination. When the visitors got going, it was only a qncstiou of how many points they would pile up. Until half time M.anawhenun did appear to have a fighting chance, hut the tactics of Wairarapn in the second spell were demoralising. .MAORI TOURING TEAM. PAH I ATI'A. July 20. In the Rugby’ match to-day, the M aori All Blacks won by a margin ot 14 points, defeating the Bush reps, by 23 points to 0.