FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3545, 11 July 1905, Page 3

FOOTBALL

NOTES, The sum of £3 >*gs was taken at the gates on Saturday last. Old Boys ’have engaged the public Hail for Friday night, , Okl Boys (Palmerston) beiit Feildin S ’at the latter pla. v e bn Saturday F-sD by 8 points te ail, Wellington A defeated Wairarapu at Carterton on Saturday by 13 to n, and Wellington B-defeatcd Horowliqnua at Levin by g to 8. The Otago University team to foiir Australia defeated Victoria college at Wellington on Saturdav by n. points to nil, ■ ■

Arrangements are being made to convey enthusiasts, to Sandon by special tram on Wednesdays 19th inst., to witness the contest be, ween the Rangitikei * nd Fo'xton reps. The New Zealanders beat NewSouth Wales tat Sydney on Saturdav by 19 to; nil. There were 30,000 spectators present. O’Sullivan, Mynott, Roberts, Wallace and Him ter scored tries, two of which were, converged by Gillett. It was announced at Laing’s Dinner that it was the intention of the Football Executive to present Mr and Mrs Laing and tamily with a framed photograph of the Foxtcn Rugby officials and rep. team at the close of the season.

Hoodlums, who were perhaps lop young und uneducated to know bcttr.c, were rather severe on players in t heir fereiarks at Saturday match. “ Stragg trim,” was nothing to some oFthe insinuations used in their evident desire to see one of the best placers we have woodened out. Take need, lest ye might repent! The't is not sport! Did Boys now have three points lead •On Awahou. v/rfh the latter still one match to play in the third round. Should Awahou defeat Hnia on Saturday, Old Hoys will still ho one point In the lead to start the last round, and We may reasonably expect the next Awahou-Old Boys contest to decide who shall claim the Simpson Cup and were the Austin medals.

A rule of the game which is not very well understood is worth repeating here. It is with reference to a mark from a knock on. It reads : “ A fair catch from a knock-on gf IhrOW forward takes precedent k everv case, even though the j )as whistled for the knock-on, m- throw-forward.” This means that - although the whistle may have blown for a knock-on or throvy forward, and a mark be taken b-y an opponent therefrom, the refetr e j s compelled to give the mark. H lot of dissatisfaction was expressed tit the action of the touc'h-line judges in not raising their flags when Bert.

ShadboU kicked a goal on Saturday last. Being in the best possible position to judge, present writer can safety his readers by verifying the action of the referee in giving a goal. It was undeniably so, being fully three feet inside the post when the hall passed over the bar- Hut is not the point! It is the matter of touch judge duties I wish to refer to. The rules on the duties of touch-judges read: “Touchjudges shall not indicate with their flags when asked to assist tjje referee during kicks at goal.” The more definite rule reads : “Tin? touch-judges shall assist the referee, if requested by him, at kicks Tit goal.” It may he explained that neither touch-judges were asked by the referee on Saturday to give the sign with their flags, and that was the treason neither were raised. The referee himself had no doubt as to it Ijemg a goal, and accordingly gave it, without need to seek the assistance ot his touch-judges. Another point re touch judges has cropped up—that of cribbing on the line. Of both touchline judges complaints have reached me that this practice was indulged in. Mistakes are made by the most careful Of officials— men are only human after all, and none infallible. The football enthusiast is a peculiar individual. Sometimes he is unbiased, and sometimes he is biased. I have to commend one of the former for pointing out to the present writer that he was wrong on Saturday last by giving Blue as advantage, and for accepting the explanation when he was satisfied that it was purely a mistake. But for the biased spectator, who imagines a touch line judge takes the flag with the one idea and motive of “ cribbing ” and giving one particular side the best of matters, I have no time. Neither has the unbiased public or sport. This biased individual is generally a -person who can sec only with one eve, who will applaud the good play of his particular fancy, and denounce the merit of the oppositionists. By all means, have your fancy, barrack for them in a fair manner, but for goodness sake, and for the sake of justice Open both eyes and give each side a fair hearing. Do not sec the faults of one side and not of the other. The biased spectator was noticeable supporting both teams on Saturday Inst. To wit—one well-known Old Roy supporter opeidv accused one of the touch officials of deliberately cribbing half a chain for Awahou, whilst Awahou supporters openly accused the same touchjudge with cribbing a like distance for Old Bovs I tee! sure this is not the voice of the players. If such things did occur in a deliberate manner, the referee has the power to over-rule the touch judge, ami would not be doing his duty if he did not take advantage of his power. Once, and for all. the Executive crave the confidence of the true sport-loving community by recommending touch-judges in whom they have every confidence. I hope these few (remarks will prove sufficient to stay further bias from individuals whose one desire is to cause strife. View a game of football with both eyes, and give each side a fair hearing, with the one hope that in all cases the best team may win. Once again, the public would do well to keep the lines clear, for this is where the trouble arises. TO-MORROW’S GAME.

At the racecourse to-morrow afternoon, the Foxton A team will play 17 picked B’s. It is absolutely necessary that all should] attend. The A

! te.'ittl will play in blue and black, and players should take note and exchange jerseys. The team to phRangitikei next week . } i !oS en on the form ; . 1 -cam.'-Full-h.ap'h, M‘*v '^-yal; I f&roe-r}iiarl.ehs , : L", RTihson, Darker' | fca.ptai'nN ], Dunn : live-eighth, Tali ’Thai ; half, G. Robinson ; wing forwards, Hooker and Vv. Robinson ; forwards, S. Wright, f. Joe, Hanna, Reihana, Spiers, jJiVics. Desmond (vicQ-Sfiptain). B Tciun.-dFlluwiv., i. Robinson; Ihrcc-Pu aft err, L. B-dl, Bert Shadbolt, Williamson; five-eighth?, Rorc and ; PrCstling; half, Ken Fume : wing forwards, Marshall and Carter ; for- j wards, Newth (capianv. Wil'iams, J. j and W. (>)]■"■ < ;i i i JilHl, Lee, and ( Bert DAnli. f.iir i < » u. : Fred Shadt bPit, Koreama, Hose;-; ibacks), Soia Scia, F. Wright, C. Coley (forwards). Mr Sutherland will rehree.

HANKINS SHIELD POINTS.

In the above table, a forfeit is counted as a loss.

COM PLIMENTARY DINNER. At the Family Hotel on Saturday evening, about sixty footballers and snpportCl'S Sat down to an excellent dinner given by Mr and Mrs Laing. The tables were tastefully decorated with flags, flowers and evergreens, and a most tempting display of solids and dainty dishes met with appreciative treatment, Mr G. A. Simpson, President of the Poxton Executive, occupied (lie chair, and after the dinner had been fully discussed, proposed the usual loyal toast of “ The King.” “ The Manawatn Rugby Union and Foxton Executive ” was proposed by Mr A. If. ShadboU, who in the course of his remarks referred to the great improvement that had taken place- in Foxton this year. He thought that in another year players hero generally would be quite equal to any in other districts.

■MrJ. Manning, in responding, congratulated Foxton footballers on having affiliated with the Manawatn Union. This was a wise stop to take, enabling them to play in outside matches and thus gain a better knowledge of the game, ft also afforded the host men a chance of being nicked in representative teams. He urged players to fo low the advice of their Executive officers, who were doing a good workin the improvement of the status of local football.

Mr E. G. Sutherland, secretary of the local executive, followed, and gave a brief resume of the aborts made tin? season to import a • better system into the management of the game', which be was pleased to see wore bearing good fruit. He also - thanked donors of trophies—Mr Simpson for his Clip, and Mr H. Austin for a set of medals. Mr Simpson also spoke briefly.

o Th“ Visitors ” was ably proposed by Mr Frew-, and suitably responded to bv Mr \V. Manning (Palmerston North). Mr Sutherland proposed “ The Teams,” and hoped that next year there would be two or three more teams entered, taking part in both senior and junior competitions. Messrs J. Desmond (Old Boys) and ] Joe (Awahou) briefly replied, each hoping their respective teams would win the cup. Mr H. Austin proposed “ The Referee,”’and, referring to the difficulty of getting referees, said he hoped players would soon learn t® place confidence in the local men appointed.

MrJ. Manning, in responding, said referees’ troubles usually arose from lack of knowledge on the nart of players, who should make themselves acquainted with the rules. They should put full confidence in their referees, and he trusted next year would see a local referees association.

Other toasts honoured were. :—“The Ladies,” proposed bv Mr Johnston, and responded to bv Mr Barker, who paid a high compliment to the Foxton girls; “The Press,” proposed by the chairman, and respn dod to by Mr Morgan; “ The Host and Hostess,” proposed in high terms of praise by the chairman, and responded fo by Mr A, Laing, on behalf of his wife and family. “ The Chairman,” was proposed by Mr McMinn.

Vocal items, which added largely to the harmony of the evening, were contributed by Messrs J. Johnston, J, E. Marshall, Bert. ShadboU. A. Harper, W. Hooker, W. Manning, and E. G. Sutherland. Mr Aichic McMinn played the accompaniments, and also conlribulcd pianoforte items pleasinglv. The gathering broke up with “ Auld Lang Syne,” after a most enjoyable evening.

The decoration' nt the tables at the dinner on Saturday night bespoke rnanv pleasing remarks as to the good taste of the M ir-ses Lain -:;, who went to no end of trouble to make the affair pleasant to all concerned. At an interval during the evening, Mr Simpson presented Messrs Norman Barker ami George Robinson with a watch and chain cadi, for being the best all round players on their respective sides. After wishing the honoured ones further success, he called on Mr McMinn to make a few remarks as to whv he had chosen them as the best individual players. Mr McMinn explained that both Barker and Robinson had done yeoman service that day, but still (here was a close runner up on each side. Desmond played a brilliant game, whilst Jimmy Joe might

have distinguished himself but for one bad fault—that of hanging Iq ball. 1 lie did* not approve of trophies being j presented fo .best hiflindual bkyM's, ! bcca»'s£ it caused selfishness, and llßir, » spoilt good play, and on those grounds, I ailhough the spirit of the donors was recognised, still they should be discouraged as a detriment to good football. He, concluded bytrustiug his judgment met with general approval (Loud. anpluiise}. Mr Id. Dali Ivastfb donor of the trophies.

-Nohttikrx S 1 1 g 1 i? c-t *3 V, J.)n O £ ISIOX. a fi 5 Lost .9 *a (£55 Old iJoys !) 8 0 1 Ifi Peilding 0 (i 0 3 12 Institute 9 ft 9 O .) 12 Palmerston. \\ ;; 1 5 7 Km C] 9 0 G G tWttoa 9 0 1 8 1 Poxton fi CCTIO'T, Old Bovs fi 3 1 1 9 Awahou >~ f t] 0 2 G Huift r> 0 1 4 1