Opinions Differ

NZ Truth, Issue 1238, 22 August 1929, Page 16

Opinions Differ

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) IN a recent issue of "N.Z. Truth" certain Criticism was levelled at Referee. Bradley for- a ruling he had given m the Varsity v. Marist match theprevious Saturday. It will be remembered that the referee gave Varsity' a free kick .m front of the goal-posts when, he discovered a • M'arlst back off-side whilst a scrum was .formed about five yards from the "touch-line. In referring to this incident, "Truth" disagreed With the ruling, for the reason that the ball had not been put into the scrum. Therefore, the ball' not being m play, a man could not be accounted to be off-side. A Varsity supporter, m a very cour- ' teoUs letter takes exception to this . criticism, .'maintaining that the wingforward had- actually .put the ball m the scrum. It is on this point that there is a difference of opinion. Mr. Bradley and his fellow-referees give of their best, and although ' "Truth" Wilt 'always - tender criticism / . on 1 rulings which are open to quest .'..tlon, such./critlcism will have for. its object "the betterment of pur national sport. . f ! The correspondent further/ maintains <tiiat not .only, did .a Mari&tlman. get.off-side, but that the wing-forward committed a breach by throwing the • ball amongst . the; feet of- the- Marist. j hookers. If such happened, then the referee i.would : naturally, have .penallsr' 1 ■-. "ed i- fbr-^the first /offence.' ■•'■..-.. v:^-V--: y-V,-.. .::. ; . , ../■.,/■- '/- 1