FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4443, 21 July 1922, Page 2

FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND V. THAMES VALLEY. PROSPECTS OF THE GAMEL To-morrow afternoon will sec the principal Rugby football match in th.2 Thames Valley district played at Paeroa, when Auckland’s representative fifteen will be on hand to try out our local representatives. The Waihi Federal Band will be in attendance. The prevailing weather at time of writing does not augur well for good football conditions, but it is not unlikely that the wind will change to the south, in which case the ground will be much improved. However, the ball will most likely be greasy, and the game resolve into a battle between the forwards. The Thames Valley representatives will be better suited by this style o|f play than would be the case under line weather conditions, as the backs have not worked together, and will, no doubt be a little weaker than Auckland in back play. But these conditions are evidently also suitable fpr the visitors, es keen Auckland critics aver that upon a wet field the team to play at Paoroa to-'morrow would beat the Auckland fifteen selected to play the Maori team. This criticism is a good answer to persons under the impression that Auckland is sending oply a poor team to Paeroa. The Auckland footbailers individually have all played well in club matches, and those in authority are well satisfied that every one ofi then ‘has justified his inclusion in the team.

With regard to the home team, the selector, in our opinion, has done very well indeed, and has picked a fifteen well worthy of representing the Thames Valley Union. Some say that Dean could be improved upon, but the fact remains that he has been the most consistent full-back in the union this season. The other backs are all tried and proved men, and if they play up to form we have none better in the district. There is some questioning of Garry as a wing threequarter, as he has usually played five-eighths, but this player knows and plays the game well, and should be capable of filling the position on the wing. All the forwards have earned their places, and to effect an improvement'would be very hard indeed.

All things considered, the Thames Valley representatives should give a good account of; themselves, and spectators who expect to witness a keen contest are not likely to be disappointed. AUCKLAND. Full-back, S. H. Gopdacre (1) ; three-quarters, Wade (2), Malloy (3), Matson (4) ; five-eighths, Earlly (5), Gregory (6); half-back, Wright (7) ; rover, Lynch (8); forwards, Bagnall (9), Peters (10) McDonald (11) Lamb (12). Helander (13), Marshall (14), Somerville (15). Emergencies: Brooker (16), Buckland (17). THAMES VALLEY. F"U-back, K. Dean; three-quar-ters, Garry (Plains), J. Magill (Piako), G. Price (Waihi) ; fiveeighths, McDermott. (Waihi), J- Gilpin (Piako) ; half-back, Nicols (Plains) ; rover, Goldsbury (Piako); forwards, L. Honey (Waihi), W. Reilly (Waihi), W. Heath (Waihi), T. Johnson (Paeroa), Newdick (Plains), McMahon (Plains), K. Atkins (Piako). Emergencies: J. Winder (Paeroa), R. Holmes (Piako), Rosenfeldt (Piako), Agnew (Waihi). Mr. A. W. Dunstan will referee the match. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. FORMED ON HAURAKI PLAINSA meeting of Hauraki Plains Rugby enthusiasts was held at Ngatea on Wednesday evening, there being present representatives from Turua, Kerepeehi, and Ngatea. Mr. D. G. McMillan was elected to the chair and Mr. J. Banks secretary pro. tern. It was decided to form a referees’ association on the Hauraki Plains and affiliate with the Thames Valley body.

The following officers were elected'. President, Mr. D. G. MciMillan; vicepresident, Mr. R. Price ; hon. secrer tary and treasurer, Mr. J Banks; executive committee, Messrs. F. Davis, D. Green, and F. Stephens, anil the president, vice-president, and secretary ; examining committee, Messrs Price, Blythe, and McMillan. Mr. Price proposed that the secretary write to the Patetonga and Waitakarwru clubs and ask them to get a few of their best men to notify the association when they would be available to be examined for referees. Tlie motion was seconded and carried. It was decided to submit the names Oif Messrs. McMillan and Price as referees for t'he next representative matches;

It was reported that the only matches for to-morrow are Turua v. Waitakaruru seniors, at Waitakar,uru, while junior teams ofi the same clubs meet at Turua. The following referees were appointed : Seniors, Mr. Blythe ; juniors, Mr. McMiUap. REFEREES AND IMPARTIALITY. OPINION ON THE PLAINS. A lengthy discussion took place at the referees’ meeting at Ngatea on Wednesday when the question arose as to whether it would be advisable to have local or outside referees to control the games.

The discussion commenced when Mr. Gray said the Turua ciub wished to have Mr. McMillan as referee for the senior match at Waitakaruru, as Waitakaruru had appointed the referees on the previous occasions.

Mr. Price said the association would be taking the wrong stand to let any club dictate. The association should be firm and ask the clubs to accept the referees appointed by the association; It would be for the benefit of. football. Mr. McMillan agreed that the association should decide the referees, but he thought the Turua representative was merely voicing the opinion of his club, to which previous arrangements had been unsatisfactory. Mr. Gray thought that previous incidents warranted him asking for, his

own club’s selection to referee the match mentioned.

The Turua delegates agreed to leave the matter to the association. Mr. Banks thought it advisable to have outside referees, as there had previously been dissatisfaction. Mr. Price said the Referees 1 ’ Association was being formed to obviate former difficulties. The home team, he considered, should appoint the referee. He would suggest that the delegates to the Thames Valley Association urge that each association should have the privilege of electing their cwn referees. They should have confidence in ,their referees. An "imported” referee was open to as patten criticism as a local , man.

Mr. Vincent said a neutral reteree was an advantage, as it left no room fpr criticism.

Mr. Price : Then you haven’t confidence in your referees. Mr. Vincent: With an outside referee there is no loophole for criticism. Mr. Price said that ifl the association was to be worked on those lines there should be no referees’ association at all. Mil McMillan did not see why they should go outside to get a referee, as the Iccal referees should be as fair as the outsiders. THE PEACE CUP. At the Referees’ Association meeting at Ngatea on Wednesday Mr. D. A. Vincent, secretary ofj the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union, said that the Thames Union had not yet recognised the Hauraki Plains challenge fpr the Peace Cup.