FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3641, 21 May 1927, Page 3

FOOTBALL

ROUGH PLAY. At this week’s meeting of tho Horowhenua Union the' chairman regret led that during the present season there had been a deal of rough play, adding that at times it was a case of “boot and fist.” He had attended four matches and on each occasion had seen a fight —or very near it. There was rough play again on Saturday, and he thought, judging by the manner of players, that there must have been provocation. Some six players were knocked out, and lie thought referees’ attention should be drawn to the matter. It was up to them to be more strict. Mr. Anderson stated that he had seen four matches, and two had been very rough. Much of the roughness was caused by the barrack of spectators. At the Shan-non-County match one man had “put the boot in,” while spectators at Otaki w’ere bad at the County match. Cries of “put the boot in” tended to encourage rough play, and like the chairman, he thought referees should be more strict. The chairman said charging a man after he had got rid of the ball was a big fault, and was a very dangerous practice. Mr. Winiata: The referees should not allow r such a thing! Other members spoke in a similar strain.

The person who controls the game is the referee and he has the necessary power to deal with those guilty of playing the man instead of the ball and he has the power also of dealing with unruly spectators who incite players to violence. POSTPONEMENT OF SENIOR GAMES. Mr. Joyce objected at the Union meeting to senior games being postponed on account of rep. fixtures. Other members agreed, pointing out that a gravef injustice would be done to clubs like Otaki who would be debarred from playing for about four Saturdays. Mr. Casey gave notice of motion that club games be played, except on dates set apart for the combined match and trial games. DISPUTED A RULING. Mr. E. Bevan stated that while refereeing he had occasion to replace Hiwi, a line umpire, for disputing one of his decisions. —Matter to be referred to the Referees’ Association. MANAWATU REP. MATCHES. A meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union management committee was held in Levin last Thursday evening, there being present: Messrs A. M. Ongley (chairman), J. J. O’Connor, W. N. Anderson J. R. Hardie, H. Crawford, K. Eglinton, J. Casey, F. Robinson, S. Austin, M. Winiata, and C. Fraser (secretary). The following Manawhenua representative fixtures were confirmed : July 30th. —v. Hawke’s Bay, at Napier. August 17th, 20th, and 24th. — Auckland tour: v. King Country on 17th, v. Auckland on 20th, v. Waikato on 24th. August 31. —v. Taranaki, at Palmerston North. September 7th. —v. Canterbury, at Palmerston North. September 14th. —v. Otago, at Levin. The secretary was instructed to try to arrange a game with Wairarapa on a date after September 3rd. The selectors for the Combined Union are Messrs M. Winiata and J. Ryan. Arrangements were made to secure a. supply of rep. jerseys (in red and white hoops, 1-inch each and blue bands 4-inches). The next meeting of the Combined Union will take place at Shannon on June 18th, the day of (lie Manawatu-Horowhcnua match. HOROWHENUA RUGBY UNION; MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The weekly meeting of the above was held at the Grand Hotel, Levin, on Tuesday night, Mr. J. O’Connor presiding. The local representatives present were Messrs W. Neville (Foxton), S. Austin and F. Robinson (-Awahou). It was decided that the Union erect a fence on the Domain ground, Levin. PLAYERS REPORTED. Mr. Hirini, referee in the Awa-hou-Foxton match, reported that he had ordered two players —Gribb and Hartley—off the field for rough play. , A letter was read from Hartley apologising for his unseemly behaviour, while Mr. Robinson stated that Gribb wished also to apologise. Mr. Neville considered that a deal of the blame was due to two spectators lighting, in fact there had been practically a free fight. The chairman moved that both men be cautioned and warned that if they again were reported they would be severely dealt with. BIRTH CERTIFICATES. A letter was read from the Foxton District High School, suggesting that the official birth certificates of several Awahou boys be secured, it being believed that they were over the age allowed for playing. Mr. Robinson said that he was coaching the Awahou team and wished to be perfectly fair. He had interviewed the boys in the matter and had been informed that they were all under the age limit of 16

years. He offered to again question them, and said if over the age limit he would be pleased to put them out of the team. The chairman considered the onus was on the boys to prove their ages and to produce birth certificates in case of protest. On the motion of Mr. Austin, Messrs Robinson and Neville were deputed to see the boys, and in case of protest to point out that the onus was on the boys to prove their age. Mr. Robinson said if it was found that the boys were over age the match should be awarded to Foxton. It was his desire to show that lie wished to be fair over the matter. He did not wish anyone to think that the boys had been rung in. RE-ARRANGEMENT. Mr. Casey stated that there would be another sheet of fixtures published at an early date and that the games would start at 2.40. Referees, he considered, should see that this was enforced. REP. MATCHES. It was decided that admission for the Maori-Pakeha match be 1/- for gentlemen and ladies alike, and 6d for the stand. It was also agreed that the match start at 2.45. Mr. Winiata said that the team would be picked on the 28th. It was agreed that Mr. O’Connor help in the selection. Messrs Proctor (Maori) and Robinson (Pakeha) were chosen as managers. It was decided to charge 1/6 (gentlemen) and 1/- (ladies) for the rep. match at Shannon. DISQUALIFICATION. Mr. Casey said that the Union had been led to believe that Mr. Neville had been disqualified by the, N.Z. Referees’ Association, but Mr. Neville had received word to say the statement was not correct, pointing out that it had no jurisdiction.

Mr. Neville read a telegram in support from the N.Z. Referees’ Association, while Mr. Robinson said that, he, like others, had been led to believe Mr. Neville had been disqualified. He would now like to meet the one who made the statement. It was unfair for the local Association to tell the Union that Neville had been disqualified for life, and be was out to demand an apology. , Mr. Anderson moved that the local Referees’ Association produce evidence when Neville was disqualified by the N.Z. Association. Mr.’ Austin: The N.Z. Association states it had no jurisdiction in the matter.

Mr. Robinson said that ho had asked that minutes relating to the disqualification be produced, and one referee had said there were no minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Robinson, and carried. COLLEGE BOYS. Objection was raised to boys home for the College holidays playing for teams without the permission of the Union, it being considered the least the clubs could do was to apply for permission to playsuch boys. —Decided to inform clubs to this effect. ENCOURAGE PLAY. Mr. Neville advocated better matches for lower grade footballers, and thought a match, North v. South, would encourage players. It was the junior grades that needed encouragement as such men made the future players. Mr. McDonald supported the remarks. COMMITTEE MEETING. A committee meeting of the Foxton Football Club was held in Walls’ rooms last evening, presided over by the president (Mr H. Hutchins). It was decided to pay the insurance fee for the school team. It was also resolved to hold a social evening for all members of the Foxton Football Club in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday evening, June Ist. It was decided to enter a Third Grade team in the seven-a-side competition at Palmerston on June 3rd, and to try and arrange for a Junior team to compete, also.