RUGBY RULES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4702, 23 May 1924, Page 3

RUGBY RULES.

INTERESTING LECTURE GIVEN. USEFUL KNOWLEDGE IMPARTED. There was a large attendance at the Returned Soldiers’ Club, Paeroa, on Wednesday evening, when Mr-W. J. Bryden, member of the Hamilton Referees’ Association, delivered an address on Rugby Football matters. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) presided. Mr Marshall apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr Clifl'c, who was to have delivered the lecture, but the Hamilton Referees’ Associaton had sent a worthy substitute, and he hoped that the meeting would benefit by the address from so competent a referee. His Worship said that the only way our National game could progress and keep its place in the field of sport was by playing a clean game and sticking strictly to the rules. Mr Bryden was already well known to many present, and he felt sure that the information Mr Bryden was about to give would be of great value to local players and referees. Commencing the address Mr Bryden said that it was necessary for every game and every class of sport to be governed by rules. In Rugby football the enforcement of rules on the field was necessary so that players coul.l come to a better understanding of the game. He submitted a number of points of interest to referees, and counselled them to at all times make themselves “book-proof,” as it was only by so doing that a referee could hope to gain the confidence of the players and the public. Dealing with off-side play, the speaker said 'that a player could not be placed off-side by an opponent, which was a point that required careful watching on the part of referees. By means of a blackboard and chalk Mr Bryden dealt descriptively with the correct methods in line-outs, thrown forward, scrums, place-kicks, drop-kicks, replacing of players dining a game, tackling, rebounds, tripping, obstruction, and shielding. - Questions were asked as each particular point was discussed, and clear explanations were given. Problems were set out on the board by the lecturer and the audience asked to solve them, thus testing the knowledge of the referees as well as the playeis. Mr Bryden pointed out that it was wrong for the line umpires, when a kick at goal was attempted, to signal the. result to the referee. Although frequently done, it was quite wipne. Tne referee was the man to give the decision, and he should place himself in such a position on the field a.s <-0 be able to judge whether the kick was successful or not. He should no. rely on what the line umpires signalled. There was only one person m charge of the game, and that was the referee, whose ruling was final. The necessity of a referee to be firm and just in his rulings was emphasised. If a district possessed competent referees Rugby could not help but progress. A good referee was of far •n-pater importance to genuine Rugby than a good player. The speaker ren nested players to “play the & ame ’ rnd make themselves conversant with t he rules, and also to accept the deci .sions of the referee with a good grace, even though they might think they know more , about the game than the referee. ; • At ihe conclusion of the lecture Mi R B. Penlington, on behalf of the Paeroa Referees’ Association, accorded Mr Bryden a hearty vote of thanks for his able lecture, and assured him that the local Rugby enthusiasts were grateful to him and the Hamilton Association for the help that had been given to Paeroa. ■ln returning thanks Mr Bryden said that it had given him pleasure to visit Paeroa again and meet bld friends, and he felt gratified that his address had proved interesting and acceptable to the gathering. He could assure the Paeroa people that the Hamilton association was willing at all times to assist a sister association if possible. - •