FOOTBALL.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 763, 10 August 1894, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

The following, addressed to the Editor, having reference to Football is inserted under that heading :

Sir, —In justice to the players of lav 1 Thursday’s match, Rep. team v. Allcomers, I think, as one who had control of the game and who saw nearly every incident, I may make a few remarks on it, as from the notes in your last issue people would be apt to imagine that, instead of a game of football, it savoured mere of a pugilistic encounter. The match from my point of view was noticeable for the total absence of unnecessarily rough play, this was contrary to expectation. My attention was called to the incident to which ‘ Oval ’ refers of a man being intentionally punched in the face by an opponent, but there was nothing in it to justify interference, as the punching was nothing more nor less than excellent fending, that is pushing with the open hand, during a really splendid run. Nor did I see anything of the incident leading to an offer to settle with fists, and until I read ‘ Proteus’ ’ remarks did I hear aught of the matter. I was watching the game very closely indeed and I do not think any wordy warfare would have escaped my attention. Bad language was, also, lam glad to say, at a discount. I may say here that no one is more opposed to bad language and unnecessarily rough play than I am, and Kaikoura players, I think, know this ; and ‘ Proteus’ may rely on my backing him up in his endeavour to put these objectionable features down. If, however, the captains of the contesting teams show, as they did last Thursday, such a praiseworthy desire of aiding the Referee in making the game as pleasant as possible, rough play and bad language will soon go, and I think that the captain of the All-comers is to be specially commended for the way in which he led his men and backed me up. I am, etc., Fk. Flower.

Condensed, the reply of ‘ Proteus ’ is as follows :

The Referee, evidently assuming that some remarks in Tuesday’s Star reflected upon him, applauds players in order to justify himself. Quite unnecesary ; there was no idea of calling his conduct in question. From his ‘ point of view the game was noticeable for the total absence of unnecessarily rough play.’ Mark the qualification.— Unnecessarily rough. It should not be rough at all. But one spectator, not a resident of Kaikoura, name can be given, informed me that be considered the game decidedly rough. Players admit that it was so at times, but not, I expect, equal to what the Referee has experienced. Noone blames him for what he didn’t see. His vision is limited, for to quote the Sam Wellarism, it is not of double million magnifying power, else might he have seen that two tries accorded by him—one on the 26th ulto., the other last week, were not so—l pointed this out in one case. The ball was unmistakeably dead on the field, though close to the line, where the aid of a line judge would be valuable. As his vision, so his auricular powers. Though not blamed in any way, it is not to s«y that he cannot or does not err; all err occasionally. Mr Referee’s expressions —‘ assisting me to put objectionable

features down ’; and, ‘ aiding the Referee in making the game as pleasant as possible rough play and bad language will soon go '—are evidence that there is something to suppress; admissions of players are further proof. Mr Referee has got a good grip over the local players, but he is not infallible. He discredits Press criticisms—honest and truthful—because they are not at one with his views. The Star, I and ‘Oval’ will support him, as it has done, when he is right. Several players protested that the punching • incident was not fair play ; the player punched objected, and set bis man to a purpose yesterday. The desire to Aizvc it out was occasioned through a bit of roughish play—accidental, it is declared. The game concluded, the aggrieved party sought redress, but did not-exact it. Enough! lam not going to engage in a paper war with anyone over football. Anything in connection with it requiring Press censure will be dealt with fearlessly and without favour, regardless of players, referees, or anyone else. I shall not be unnecessarily severe ; never personal unless the case demands it; and ready, without hesitation, to acknowledge a mistake should one be made. Does this clear the atmosphere ?

[Br Oval.]

Yesterday a match Club v. Hcpi’s team was played, in good spirit. The Club team proved too good for the opponents, scoring 19 points to 0. Haswell potted a goal, Davidson obtained one from a mark, Maxton scored a try and Ritchie two, one of which Veitch converted. For the winners Davidson, Martin, Turnbull, Cox, Veitch, Maxton, J. O’Donnell, Washington, D. Haswell and Riichie played well. On the other side Hapi, Franks, A. Clemetr, Low, Gibson, J. Close and Flint were the more prominent.

Hapi set a good example by stopping play on his hearing one of the players using objectionable language. Washington purposes abandoningplay in matches after next week. F. Cox has resigned Vice-Captain-ship in favour of J. Veitch.

Kaikoura boys come to the fore when they go abroad. Harry Smart is Captain of the Second 15 of the High School, Christchurch, and occasionally plays with the first.

Pahiatua: Football match, Marlborough Juniors v. Bush District team, played here, was won by Marlborough by 12 points to 0. Nelson : Football match, Wairarapa Juniors v. Nelson Juniors, was won by 3 points to 0. Palmerstone North : Manawatu Reps beat Marlboraugh team by 11 to 5; visitors were short of 6 of their best men.

Napier: Hawkes Bay beat South Canterbury by 6 to 3: except on the point visitors had rather best of match.