FARCICAL RUGBY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3540, 21 September 1926, Page 3

FARCICAL RUGBY.

FOXTON THIRDS PROTEST. GAME WITH WANDERERS TO BE RE-PLAYED. Foxton Thirds suffered defeat at the hands of AVanderers at Levin last Saturday, and as a result of certain alleged irregularities a protest was entered. The matter was dealt with at last night’s meeting of the Hosowhenua Rugby Union Management Committee. The protest was read as follows: — THE PROTEST. ‘‘l. Two 25 minute spells were played instead of two 40 minute spells without reference being made to the Foxton captain, against which he complained. 2. A Foxton player, Williams, was obstructed from grounding the ball when over the goal line and scoring a try, the obstruction'being made by a Wanderer’s player, for which a free kick was given Foxton. An appeal was made by the Foxton captain, who was told “to shut his mouth.” Mr Neville, in support of the protest, said that a meeting of the Foxton Thirds was held on the previous night, when it was decided to ask that the match be re-played. Previous to the match, he said, the referee lined up the boys and told them what what sort of a referee lie was. He had the local boys “snitchered” and if they had been All Blacks they could not have won the match' that day. The referee had been up against the local team because of him 1 (Neville). The Foxton captain appealed against a kick at goal and was told to “shut his mouth” by the referee. At half time! the local boys found they were playing short spells—two 25’s —and mentioned the fact to the referee, \yho replied that he “must see the big match.” The Foxton team were under the impression that they were to play two 4U’s. Mr Hemi, tlu| referee of the match in question, said that two 30 minute spells were played on the day in question. Both teams arrived late and owing to this fact the spells had to be cut down to two 30’s. AVanderers commenced play with only six men. During the progress of the match he heard some of the Foxton boys complaining that the time was too long.

To Mr Robinson: The fixtures set the time for starting the game at 1.30 p.m. Mr Emmett (Referees’ Association) said that the referee’s time for a match was final. He objected to the protest. Mr Neville to the referee: Did the Foxton captain speak to you at half time? —I have been advised not to answer any questions from you. The Chairman (Mr O’Connor): You have been badly advised then.

Mr ,Hemi said that the time was kept by Mr Broadbelt. Had the teams arrived on time there would have been no trouble. Foxton arrived at 18 minutes to 2. and Wanderers started with only six men, the rest of the team straggling on later.

Mr Austin: AA’hy didn’t you award Foxton the game if Wanderers were 20 minutes late?

After further cross-examining on the first charge, the matter was dropped and the second clause dealt with. This the referee denied. The kick, he said, had been for off-side play before thq Foxton boy crossed the line. Denied making the remark alleged. The chairman said that the referee was the sole judge of a matter of fact. That placed the second clause out of discussion. If the captain of the Foxton team wished to make a charge in regard to the remark he should have been present. Mr Robinson said that something was evidently wrong. Foxton had a crack team and yet they were beaten by six AVanderers, a team which was one of the lowest on the championship ladder. The chairman said that he did not think the referee was right in imposing a certain spell because the teams were late. He would have been within his rights to call the game off. Mr Robinson said he would like to see Foxton get a good hearing as the Thirds had treated the Union well right throughout the competition.

Mr Robinson then moved that the match be replayed in Levin on a date to be fixed Iw the Union. Mr Emmett: Were two copies of the protest handed in?—-No. 1 Mr Emmett: Then the matter is out of order.

The chairman: I rule that we take the protest. We have done so

all the year under similar conditions. The chairman said that Mr Robinson’s motion should be that the protest be upheld. This was agreed to and seconded by Mr S. Austin, pro forma. Mr J. Proctor: Has there been any protect fee lodged with the protest —No. The chairman: I am sorry but the matter is out of order. I did not think Foxton would make a mistake like that. Mr Robinson, producing a cheque book: There’s the money. Mr Emmett: A cheque’s no good. Our reporter Hum came to light with the required 10/-. Mr Emmett: We can’t take'the money now. It’s too late. Mr Casey: This meeting is held a day earlier than usual. The Foxton Club still has 24 hours. The motion was then put and carried, Messrs Emmett, McDonald, and Proctor voting against it. Mr Emmett -then objected to Mr Neville’s remarks. He also understood that the Union had him —Mr Neville, an expelled referee —on the line with a flag at a match last Saturday. He was surprised he was not kicked off the line. I wasn’t there, he said, otherwise it might have been different. You know what’s what— Mr Robinson: What’s what! We would like to know what’s what. AA’here are the minutes of the Referees’ Association meeting expelling Neville? There are no minutes. The meeting was called to order, and the chairman remarked that the AA T anderers-Foxton match would be re-played. Later in the evening, Mr Emmett again protested against the motion on behalf of the Referees’ Association and asked that the matter be held up. The chairman: How can you appeal on behalf of the Referees’ Association without first submitting the matter to the Association? Mr Emmett: I’ll take the responsibility of that. I am their delegate here and I have that power. Mr Emmett was ruled out of order and the motion stands.