RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1932, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

5 .1, - . ■ NEWT RULES.

CHRISTCHURCH, Sep. 7

Opinion was expressed by several old players and, administrators of the Onion code yesterday that the criticism by the International Rugby Board of the specialized scrummage practice could not be supported. As far as the criticism of referees was concerned, it was ’generally agreed that the scrummage rules were such that they were difficult to enforce,' though one speaker claimed that referees' could be stricter in penalising breaches. “jfoW Zealand has always.: gone in for the specialism! formation,” said Mr A. E. "MePhail, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, “and. -as siioh it has been a bone of contention.. If has always .in New Zealand been considered; as being in the best, interests of the, game and it is certainly most illogical to require a “first up first down” formation. It is reasonable to imagine that the present rule

as to the hall passing three feet in the srummage is making things exceedingly difficult for the referees, for often a referee does not know exactly who is committing the , infringement. He is therefore not in the position to order a man off.

’ “As far as I can see,” he continued, “the trouble is purely and simply that. scrums in England have become unworkable and the authorities are apparently trying to improve matters by making, referees keener. In short then, the ideal in England is all very fine, but to us here the specialised forward game is best. The only 'way to improve matters is to make some alteration in the rules.”

Air F. T- Evans, commenting on the criticism of referees for not penaliising scrummage offences, said that he agreed with this entirely. He thought that the referees, generally .speaking, should exercise a stricter control in regard to breaches of this nature. He had often seen referees ordering a ball to be put into a scrum time after time whene there had been an obvious breach on the first occasion. Sometimes, of course, the ball could not

go in properly the first time, and in such a case it was only proper that it should go in again, but obvious btreaqhe-s shjouiid be penalised. This would) certainly have the effect of brightening up the game. He was certainly opposed to the condemnation of the fixed formation. Build had a large effect on 'scrum formation, and to make men pack down where they stood would give a “lopsided” effect. COAST RUGBY UNION. The weekly meeting was held last evening at Greymouth. A motion of condoleence with the relatives of the late Mr B. F. Palmer, of Auckland', was passed. A iettelr was received from the, Canterbury Union expressing appreciation of the sportsmanship exhibited in connection with the Ranfurly Shield game.

The Auckland Rugby Union wrote thanking the West Coast Union for the kindness and attention extended to the Auckland team whilst on tour. It wag resolved that the senior K.O competition he closed, and Cbbden declared the winners. The Westland Sub-Union wrote suggesting September 17th, as a suitable date for the third grade rep. match at Hokitika. It was decided to reply that, owing to the Buller match on September 17th, that date was not suitable for the third grade match on ac? count of difficulty of arranging transport,

It was announced that a trophy had been given by a donor for competition between the premier senior ten ins of Hokitika and Greymouth, the rules to be based approximately on the Payne Trophy rbles. It was decided that the Westland Sub-Union be asked if it is agreeable to compete for the trophy, and that, on acceptance, by the SubUnion, be drawn. It was -pointed out that if Hokitika accepted, and the match were played this season, it would bei between Excelsiors and .Stars, and would be a. good draw.

It was decided that Blackball juniors and the winners of the Westland Sub-Union junior competition play for the Graham Wise Cup at Kiunara on September 17th, the Sub-Union to be notified to this effect. The Westland Sub-Union advised that arrangements had been made for the match West Coast Reps. v. The Rest at Hokitika on Saturday next, and that the match would start at 3 p.m., also that Mr E. W. Hcenan had been. appointed referee. It was decided that Westland Sub-Union be asked for a donation toward's the ■ transport of the sixteen players to Hokitika next Saturday. It was decided that the A team wear red and white, and the B team red and black. Mr J. Guy was appointed manager of the A team. ; It was decided to write asking the Sub'Union to appoint a manager for the B team and arrange the place of assembly for both teams.

Accounts amounting to £2 7s were passed for payment. On the motion of Messrs Ryan and Kyle, it was decided that the West Coast Seddon Shied team assemble in Greymouth on Thursday evening, September loth, and proceed to Westport the following day, leaving Greymouth at 9 a.m., and returning on 'Saturday night, the West Coast team while in Westport to be quartered at the Empire Hotel. Mr Adams was appointed manager of the team. It was decided to ask Mr .T. Devaney to accompany the team.

WEST COAST V. CANTERBURY

MR T. McINTOSH’S OPINION

CHRISTCHUCRH, Sep. 7

No support for the suggestion that the Ranfurly Shield match between Canterbury and the West Coast should be replayed because djf the short time played in the match oh August 27, or that another special game between the two provinces should be arranged, was forthcoming from Mr T. Mclntosh, of the West Coast, referee in the game

Canterbury and Wellington on Saturday, when he was responding at the dinner to the two teams, to the toast of the referee.

He had heard of such a suggestion, lie said, and the spirit behind it was, no doubt, generous. It had to be said, however, that the West Coast Union, its players, and its supporters were satisfied with the result achieved on the day.

The West Coast team had played in this match above its customary form. There wa-s the possibility' that if it played Canterbury again it would be badly beaten, and if that happened it would do less good to football to the Coast than leaving the result as it stood now; Tile result in the shield match had' been a wonderful boom to football oii the West Coast, and it would be a pity to spoil it.

HOKITIKA V. REEFTTON SCHOOLS,

The football match on Cass Square yesterday afternoon between teams representing the Hokitika and Reefton schools was spoilt by the very heavy nature of the ground, following the heavy rain of the night before. The ball goon got very heavy and slippery and was difficult to handle. In the first spell in the'early stagey there was an attempt at open play, but the pace soon slowed down. In the first half Hokitika scored a try, by Roberts, well out, after a bright piece of play. The Reefton team kept the ball among their forwards, very seldom attempting to open out back play. In the second half the game was oven slowe- 1 , there being much touch line play, Hokitika added three more tries, McCarthy, Barker and Howat scoring from forward rushes. Richards who took all the kicks, converted one, The gamo resulting in a win fob' Hokitika by 14 points to nil. Mr F, Freitas was. referee.

THE LATE B. P. PALMER

SYDNEY, September 6

The New South Wales Rugby Union have learned with’the deepest regret of B. P. Palmer’s death, and have decided to send a letter of sympathy to the New Zealand Union.