HIKUWAI v. ROTOITI MATCH.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 299, 12 August 1932, Page 6

HIKUWAI v. ROTOITI MATCH.

TUCKER

RANGI,

T.

CUiiTIS.

To the Editor. Sir, — May I beg of you, sir, a little space of your valuable paper to enable me to make some remarks and corrections to gross misrepresentations which were prompted to appear in the Local and General column of Monday's "Morning Post," ne the Hikuwai v. Rotoiti match last Saturday, purporting the fact that after the expulsion of the Hikuwai player from the field he was allowed subsequent to representations made by his club officials, to the referee, and a prominent Rugby Union official, to return and tako part in the game. The fact is, in the first place, that the referee either failed completoly, or deliberately refused to see what took place immediately before he saw the unfortunate Hikuwai p'layer strike his opponmt, the original cffender. In the second place, although representations were made, as it were, by the officials of both clubs, to the referee, I do not know of the prominent Rugby Union officials' presence, but nevertheljss, the fact remained that the referee deliberately refused to allow the unfortunate player, for the : doings of his hefty opponents were : unkrxown perhaps to the referee, to re- j turn and take part in the game at all. I venture to say that the ruling of this match in particular was not quite up to the expectations of a fair majority of spectators who witmessed it. May I aslc then, where can we find ' an aggressed stand still and Avatch his aggressors manhandle him? Where? — I am, etc., .

Hon. Secretary. Hikuwai Football Club. Sir. — Referring to the Hikuwai-Roto-iti match last Saturday, which was

undouhtedly a strenuous forward game and the vanguards of both teams deserved praise, their display should be regarded as a fair exhibition and a lesson to our rep. forwards, for it had the sting of vigour with determination. Criticism should only be restricted and directed to the lack of combination in the backs of the two teams. According to a remark made by a football enthusiast that the game was inefficiently conductied, I think there were several spectators under the same impression, judging by the hoot"ing from the line. I quite agree, "" Hikuwai team suffered defeat through errors made by the referee. The rumour which appeared in your issue of Wednesday, about a Hikuwai player who was ordered off, and was allowed to replay, is incorrect. At' the referee's request I approached the president of the Rugby Union regarding the matter, and for my trouble I received a point-blank "No." — T a.m flt.c..