FOOTBALL REFEREEING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5142, 22 June 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL REFEREEING.

Sir,—While passing through T( Aroha last Saturday I was per&uadec to visit the Te Aroha Domain anc witness a game of football whict eventuated between Hauraki Plains and Piako representative teams ii the annual competition for the Franl Poland Memorial Cup. On entering the- ground one was at once struck with the perfect state of the playinj field, together with an ideal a.fternooi for a game of football. One naturally anticipates a keen contest undei such ideal conditions. The teams filet out and took up their respective pla.ces accompanied by the usual hand-clapping from, admiring sup' porters. The referee in his turn gave the usual instructions, the whistle sounded, and the struggle commenced between two teams of vigorous youns men fairly well balanced physically and otherwise. Of the ga.me I will not attempt to describe the individual play or the combination of the teams, nor am I concerned in the behaviour. of the crowd ; but t cannot omit to mention the exploits of the übiquitous “Ginger,” who supplied the crowd with momentary thrills throughout the game. Suffice it tc say, my mission is not to describe the progress of the game, but to commend the referee for his able and intelligent control of the game in this particular incident. I am an old footballer, and have stood on the lipe for the last 30-odd years, and, indeed, have looked askance at some of the rulings given, blit the refereeing on Saturday to iny mind was almost perfect, and I feel sure was highly appreciated by the followers of the Rugby code of football. As an incident worthy of note, during the whole game only four free kicks were awarded, three to Plains and one to Piako, thus minimising the opportunity of spurious scoring from penalties. There is no finer outdoor game for the manly development of our youths if only the rules of the game can be intelligently interpreted. I congratulate the referee, whom I do not know, but I am informed his name is McMillan. W. H. TAYLOR.