RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1932, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WEST COAST RUGBY UNION. The weekly meeting ol the West Coast Rugby Union was held last evening at Grevmouth. The Secretary of the Canterbury Rugby Union wrote ,as follows:—In reply t-o your Union’s request for a match, Canterbury B representatives v. West Coast at Greymout-h, this season, I wish to advis'e you that, after consideration, we regret that, owing to the expense curtailed, and the difficulty of transport, we are unable to accede to your request. With regard to vour Union’s suggestion for a match against-our A representatives at Christo!lurch on Sent. 10th. or another suitable date, 1 am directed to suggest August 27th., a/s a more suitable date for the match. Concerning vour enquiry as to terms, would you please advise whether your Union desires to play this match as a eh a Hence game for the lliuifurly Shield, in which you Union would he entitled, under the Shield regulations, to reasonable expenses. If it is not the wish of vour Union to challenge, will you kindly advise; us the length uf time necessary for your team’s stay in Christchurch, and the approximate c/xst of the trip so that we may further consider your enquiry. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Ryan, that the date suggested by the Canterbury Union, August 27. lie accepted, and . that the Canterbury Union he notified to this effect, and that the match would he a challenge for.the Raufurly Shield. It was .’resolved that the No"' Zlaud Rugby Union be advised that the West Coa/st Union had arranged a fixture for August 27, which the Canterbury Union was agreeable t-i r

cent, as a 'Raufurly Shield game, and asking the New Zealand Union’s confirmation.

The Secretary of the Auckland Union wrote stating that the Auckland inuring representative team. which woui-.l play et Gieymouth on August 17. would comprise twenty-four all told. The Union was at pr.nent engaged in preparing a complete itinerary of the tnfir and „ copy of it would bo fo"warded

The selectors were instructed to select the West Coast representatives on

Saturday evening next, to play Buller at Greymouth on July 9 in the homc-and-home match. Thu- Secretary of the New Zealand Union wrote as follows:—“AYe are jitv- 1 sending out the school grants for this year, and in this e-nneetion 1 have been instructed to inform you that it is proposed, next year, in lieu of making cash grants to Unions, to place an order for a large number of New Zealand-made footballis',' at'satisfactory prices, naul to send these to the Unions. This will visible Unions to receive far greater value for the school grant, and it is hoped will meet with approval." It ’\Va-s derided to reply that the Union considered the usual procedure, as- in the past,' 'should hr obi erred, and that there Were dm nr el* other than the providing of footballs for s'bools, in wlmh tiie Union could keep tbe sehoi-ls towards the ad virile--pine-nt of’footle I!. If was jvUn decided to stale in tho reply that the Union were of opinion tint the >"!?• of xlio footballs 'mit 'be taken away from local’ shop-keepers.

It was resolved to have the Dittmnn Fshield .mrfa-blv engraved, and to exhibit it at Air .7. Kyle's shop window. .SOM.lv RULINGS. At- a rece''t meeting of the Canterbury Referees’ Association tho following matters were referred to affec-t-ing the rules : SCRUMS ox goal-line. TliO question of the occasions when it was possible to score a try or force the bail when in thy scrummage was di-cussed. It was pointed out that a ijcrmiiiniige ceases to exist when it- is pushed over the goal-line and, if the ball is a|so over the line, the attack-rs may touch down for a try or the defenders for a twenty-five-kick. Under similar circumstances any other player of either side may dive into the pack and touch down, if, however, the bail has not crossed the line, a penalty should be given in all cafes.

diffi:ren--’k betavkkx a fumble AND A KNOCK-ON.

The chairman said that there seemed some doubt in connexion with the difference between a knock-on and a fumble. According to the present rules, a knock-on was defined as occurring

when the ball, after striking {he hand or arm of a player, travels in the direction of his opponents’ dead-ball line. This could be taken as intruding all cases of fumbles no matter in what phase of play. In the spirit of the game, however, it appeared to be unfair for a scrummage to be given when, for instance, a full-back slightly fumbles in taking the ball. The word “fumble - ' ■was not defined in the rides, but the general opinion in Canterbury -appeared to be to allow play to continue of the fumble was really -s’ight. After a short discussion it was decided to ask the New Zealand Referees' Association for a definition of the word ’•fumble.’’"’

BALL OUT OF .SIDE OF SCRUM. Mr iR.i'J. Collins said he understood that in some districts, especially in Wellington, players were penalised if the baill, after being put fairly into the scrummage, was kicked out at the opposite side to that at which it was put, in. In Canterbury the procedure was to disallow the case when the ball came out on the same sid e a* it was put in, but to take no action when th? ball was kicked right through, provided no section of Rule 15 was broken. The difference of opinion appeared to arise from the various ways in which section (h) 'was read. r l)h's actually stated that the ball is not fairly in a scrummage if it pass straight through, or if it enter a scrummage and is immediate- 1 ly kicked out at either side. j it was decided to refer the matter to ! the New Zealand Referees’ Association.