Scragging and Bullocking.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 4 June 1895, Page 3

Scragging and Bullocking.

(Wanganui Herald.)

Anything written in our. football column will be taken by those interested as a means of fostering the good old Rugby game, with the desire that our local players' at any rate should, as far as lies within their power, give a good up-to-date exposition of one of the finest of winter pastimes. It has been onr duty—and a most unpleasant one, too—to draw attention to the selfish and individual play sought to be introduced in club matches, to say nothing of the very rough and reprehensible tactics indulged in by men who -"should know better. We have given these players (so-called) fair warning, and should they persist in their attempts to make football in Wanganui a bye-word and a disgrace they will only have themselves to blame if their names are published in full, with any criticism we feel called upon to make upon their actions. We feel sure that our action will meet with the approbation of those who have the interests of the game at heart, and it is to the referees and the management of the local union that we look to for support. The referees in the first place are called on to report any player caught transgressing rules that lead to the old bullocking tactics, and by such, seeking to degenerate the game. The Rugby Union are asked to be on the alert to also take full cognisance of what gees on week after week under their very noses, and they are further asked when any charges are brought before them to make such example or examples as wall cause the offender or offenders to thoroughly understand that they are amenable to discipline—a discipline which we are sorry to add is not enforced by the captains of clubs. Such captains are merely ornamental figure-heads at present. They do not seem to exercise the slightest supervision over their teams, and it is about time they woke from a Rip Van Winkle sleep. Having brushed the cobwebs from their eyes they might take a look round the field occasionally and see what their men are really doing, giving them hints where necessary, and finding that some players are not doing what they should do, intimate to them that there are others equally good to fill their places. It is hoped that Saturdays’ matches will see a big alteration in the play all round. That such is necessary is the opinion generally expressed.