FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2180, 23 September 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

MO ABC All CUP COMPETITION. CUP “GIVEN” TO CHRISTCHURCH. In company with several hundred Manawatu enthusiasts, the writer proceeded to Wellington on Tuesday, to witness the (Inal struggle in the Moascar Cup competition between the Palmerston High School and Christchurch High School, to settle which team should hold (he Cup tyid the schools Rugby championship for the Dominion. The weather would have justified the postponement of any inter-club game, but as the boys'had incurred great expense, and travelled long distances, a postponement, of the fixture was out of the‘question. Supporters from the South had crossed the straits to witness the match, and the Prime 'Minister and other Parliamentarians were in attendance. Continuous rain made the ground very sodden, and miniature lakes covered the Held of play. On the day, the odds were in favour of the sturdy southern team, and it was freely stated that (hey would win by a margin of anything up to 20 points, but others again who bad witnessed the play of the Palmerston hoys in previous contests did not lose heart. When the teams tiled on the Held there was a tremendous outburst of. cheering. Ihe Southerners paraded the Redd in lull uniform, with school banner aloft. Their war cry and bearing was very spectacular. Palmerston, (dad in their white uniforms, and bareheaded, made a less spectacular entry into the Held, which seemed to appeal to the crowd, and they were acclaimed with thunderous applause. From the appearances of .the teams in the Held, the Southerners looked at least a stone heavier alround, and had the advantage in height. In the circumstances it looked like a walk-over for the “big fellows.” McKenzie, of Wairarapa, set the teams going, and the Whites immediately became aggressive, and for ten minutes kept the play in the Blues’ territory. Then came great forward onslaughts by the Soulaerners, checked time and again by the splendid defence of the Whites. The handling of the ball was practically impossible, and back play was out of the question, save for some line line kicking on either sale. The Southerners had the lies! ol the scrum onslaughts, but were penalised for breaches 3to 1. the Palmerston boys played more correct football. Alard knocks were given and taken, and the strenuous mud scramble continued. Speculative kicking, slides, and mishandlings were noticeable, and the battle was waged backwards and forwards, but try as they might, the Southerners could not. break through the Whiles’ sturdy defence. Once or twice the Southerners essayed a passing rash, lint they were grassed unceremoniously. 0,9 two, or three oecusions they were within an ace of crossing the Whiles’ line, and a force or serum relieved the pressure. When no-time was sounded with honours even, there was ■tremendous excitement. ivs the conditions of the competition stipulate that in the event of a draw the play must continue until one sale gained a decision, it was decided between- the captains Unit a torce would constitute a win. Play was then resumed in the Whites' 25. The ball was kicked behind the Whiles’ goal line, and returned into play. Again it was sent behind Palmerston’s goal line, and crossed the dead ball line. Hodder hesitated as to what should he, done, as the ball was dead, and the rules provide that it must again be taken out of the 25. When Hodder grounded the dead ball the referee, for some unaccountable reason, gave (he verdict in favour of Christchurch, against the ruling of the line umpire, who declared t lit* hall “dead.” Christchurch jumped for joy, and made a great demonstration at the extraordinary decision. Rugby authorities on the ground, disagreed with the referee’s decision, but in spite of this the Cup was presented to Christchurch by the Prime Minister. Me have no hesitation in saying, while prepared to admit that on the day s play Christchurch held the advantage, that they did npl win the Cup—it: was given to them on a wrong decision by the referee, and it is the duty of the N.Z. Rugby Union to make a. full investigation into the circumstances. Anyhow, we congratulate |ioth teams on the strenuous and well fought battle, ami we mav be pardoned for gi\mg an extra mead of praise to the Palmerston hoys tor their excellent defence against the odds. They need not be discouraged, for they were not defeated. s>

The Wellington Post, describing (ho Moasear Cup match, says; — '“Four spoils of twenty minutes each wore played, and with such keenness and vigour as to keep the spectators at a high pitch of excitement. Speeiaeular play was quite out of the question, and (he r, ame was mostly a battle between forwards —a grim, haid-iought contest —amongst whom there were no passengers. With the ground in almost unplayable condition, the ho vs gave a remarkably good exhibition, and ot such an e\enl\-bal-anced character, although Christchurch had a distinct advantage in weight, that the final result—no score —could not have been better. But (hen there came a regrettable incident which marred the whole contest. In order to reach duality extra time was played, the loams agreeing that the first force-down should be the decisive point. Within a few minutes of the resumption,

Christchurch kicked Iho ball over the opposing goal-line, and deadball linos out of play, where, after a little hesitation —no doubt in anticipation of the referee’s whistle —a Palmerston boy touched down. Much to the astonishment of spectators —and the Palmerston North lads —the referee ruled a forcedown, and awarded the match to Christ church. The decision was most unsatisfactory, and did not meet with general approval.”

Mr W. M. Stewart (manager of the Christchurch learn), replying to the toast of “The Winners,” at a dinner in Wellington, said that ho regarded the result of the match as really a draw. Christchurch would bo pleased to have the cup, but the learn bad not the elation of vietbvy. The members recognised that they bad boon extended as they bad never been before, and they certainly did deeply respect the calibre of their hardy, clever opponents. The return match between the local junior ream and a lift ecu composed' of “Has-beens” and others will be, played on Easton Park on Saturday afternoon, commencing at 3 o’clock. A charge of one shilling for men will be made at the gate for admission, the proceeds' to bo devoted to the Easton Park building fund, but ladies will be admitted free. The following are the teams: — Juniors. —Backs, Taylor, Robinson, Moses, Kauri, Hakaraia, Williams, Baker; forwards, Green, Burr, O’Reilly, Cook, K. Carter, Barber, T. Carter, and Baker. Others. —flicks, Head, Shamrock, E. Moffatf, McMurray, L. Moffatt, Roore, Whiblcy: forwards, Hutchins, Martin, Stevenson, Howon, Crosswell, Haeana, Reihana and Stratford. 'MANAWATU UNION TAKES ACTION. A meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union at Palmerston yesterday discussed the referee’s decision in the Moascar Cup Huai, and it was decided to forward a protest to the New Zealand Union as follows: — “That as the ruing of the referee that the kicking of the ball over the dead-ball line by Hie attacking side (-(instituted a force-down was contrary to the rules of: Rugby, contrary to the special rules issued by the New Zealand Union for (be control of the Atoascar Cup compct--1 ion, contrary to the interpretation of the word R'orce-dowg’ agreed upon by .Messrs Colqnboun and Stewart, managers of the respective teams, prior to the players taking the Held, this union protests against the match being awarded to Christchurch, and asks Hint the teams .should be bracketed as co-winners of I lie Cap for the Ul2O season,” The union also decided to invite the ( hrislcluu'ch High School to [Jay a, friendly match with Palmerston oa September 29th, or October 2nd, in order to lest the superiority of the two teams. The union offers to cover the expenses, and also to make a substantial grant from the gate receipts. _______