PERIOD OF PLAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5298, 11 July 1928, Page 2

PERIOD OF PLAY.

TIME FOR, LOCAL RUGBY GAMES. a ■ . DISCUSSION BY UNION. At Monday • night’s meeting, of the Paeroa Rugby Union Committee Mr J. Pinder referred to the fact that the final..match for the junior championship played between: West and Suburbs on Saturday last had ended in a draw. In his opinion it was a poor policy not to allow the referee discretionary powers to extend the time of play, so as to allow one -side or the other to win the final game.

The chairman (Mr W. P. Pennell) explained that the recognised time for, playing Rugby games; in, this district was not more than four spells of twenty minutes each, except in the senior knock-out competition, where special rules were provided.

Mr Pinder contende'd that tlie local union was playing under the Auckland. amended rules, instead of under the N.Z. Rugby Union rules. In his, opinion the players -should not be -allowed' to have any say in the questionas to what time the match should be played. A referee wag supposed to be able to interpret the rules, and was this duty to see that, a game was, playecj according to, them, an'd not as the players, wanted. However,, he said, he w,as easy about the matter, but thought the referee jvas the proper person to decide.

Mr, L. E. Shaw said -he thought,, that the practice of playing the four lia'd been brought about largely on account of the increasing popularity of the League' code,, and it had now become a custom. No doubt Paeroa was not playing strictly to the N.Z; Union 1 rules, and he contended that the local union should observe those rules. In his opinion the incorrect interpretation of the N.Z. Union r.ules was one of the causes of tilie falling off of interest in the- Rugby game. The chairman said that tlie present custom had prevailed locally for a number of years, and he did not remember the point having been raised before.

The yiscus.si'on was closed by -Mr J’inder advising that lie intended framing a notice of motion covering the matter which he would bring before the annual general meeting of the union.