FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3514, 22 July 1926, Page 2

FOOTBALL

THE NEVILLE CASE. To disqualify a member of its Association for life for the offence of making a side-line comment to a brother referee during a match to be fair in his decisions is about the limit of farc-ia! injustice. Such was the sentence meted out by the ITorowhenua Rugby Referees’ Association on W. Neville, one of its members. It is to the credit of the Horowhenua Rugby Council, however, that it did not endorse such a Gilbertian decision but, on the other hand, and after carefully reviewing the facts imposed a punishment befitting Neville’s indiscretion. It cannot be denied that Mr. Neville committeed a breach and, be it said, he is not the only referee in the Union who has been guilty of similar conduct, but to “disqualify him for life” indicates that the Referees’ Association is lacking in —well to put it mildly—perspicacity. That the N.Z. Referees Association will uphold such drastic punishment in view of the evidence submitted to the Council is beyond serious thought. RETAILERS MATCH. PALMERSTON (11) v. FOXTON (9). The above match was played on the racecourse yesterday and was witnessed by a fair number of spectators. The local team showed marked improvement on its previous games and certainly had the best of the game and in the latter stages of the second spell kept Palmerston busy on the defence. Within live minutes of the opening Shaekelton finished off a blue attack by crossing and the kick was converted, giving Palmerston a lead of 5 points. Blues kept up an attack, but a free kick gave yellows relief. .The local forwards swooped down and Hall made a dashing -run and forced his way over outside the posts. Rankin missed an easy kick. Palmerston 5, Foxton 3. Broad stemmed a blue rush and Bryant and Christie were prominent in an attacking movement. Rankin took a mark in blue 25 but missed with the kick. Blues found relief with a free kick. A forward rush by the locals ended in a blue penalty and Rankin made no mistake this time — Foxton G, Palmerston 5. Newtli was prominent on two occasion in solo effort and blues forced. Honiblow, Wright, Hutchins, Rankin and Newtli attacked, but the latter was beautifully grassed and the blues came back and smothered Broad, and Ray scored an easy try. The kick was a failure —Pamerston 8, Foxton (i. A rush by Foxton, and Little lost two easy chances to score by attempting to kick when he should have crossed with practically no opposition and Palmerston forced. A tine movement by Bryant, Newtli and Williams saw the latter over, Broad failed with the kick — Foxton it, Palmerston 8. In the opening of the second spell blues swept down field and Harvey got over. Ray failed with the kick — Palmerston 11, Foxton 9. From this out Foxton did the attacking and Hutchins and Hornblow on two occasions were smother on the line. Blues forced on three occasions and the game ended in a win for the visitors by a margin of two points.

Mr. T. McDonald efficiently controlled the game. The visitors were subsequently entertained to refreshments at Walls’ where an enjoyable time was spent. A welcome was accorded the team by Mr. H. Hutchins who expressed the hope that Wednesday football would be continued, and that Foxton and Palmerston North would meet on many future occasions. Mr. Shackelton replied on behalf of the visitors and thanked the Foxton players for their hospitality.

It was arranged that Foxton should journey to Palmerston North next Wednesday to play the return match.

The following players have been chosen to represent the Combined Team of Foxton D.H.S. and Shannon Fourths versus Levin D.H.S and Foxton Fourths on Saturday next at Foxton: —M. Moffatt, G. Baird, S. Birchall, L. Moffatt, R. Chrystall, N. Holden, C. Hunt, A. McEwan, T. Jude, 11. Curran, R. Ball, R. Small, E. Ball, J. Jamieson and G. Stevens. The following will represent Foxton Stale School against Oliau at Levin on Saturday:— 11. Newson, B. Coley, C. Newson, K. Matthews, J. Francis, J. Hirini, D. Chrystall, D. Kennedy, E. Robinson, X. Reader, .). Easton, J. Death, K. Alexander, K. Robinson, J. Graham. The following will represent the Foxton thirds on Saturday:— Taylor. Rankin, Stevenson, Newtli, Ross, Williams, Simpson, Gupwell, Hull, Aldridge, Westwood Royal Wright, Mathers. Orouo Sub-Union has been admitted to the Bebbington Shield Football Competition. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Management Committee Ilorowhenua Rugby Union, R, Andrews, of Foxton was" stood down for one playing Saturday for using obscene language dnring the Foxton-County match on Saturday.