HOROWHENUA RUGBY UNION.

Shannon News, 22 June 1923, Page 3

HOROWHENUA RUGBY UNION.

WEEKLY MEETING. The weekly meeting of the Horowhenua Rugby Union was held on Tuesday evening, Mr J. Procter being in the chair. There were also present: Messrs; Sciascia, Hutchings, Austin, McMillan, Grimstone, and the secretary (Mr L. S. Carmichael). In answer to an inquiry from the secretary of the school team, the secretary was instructed to write that the coach of the Foxton 4th grade team, hjald checked the ages of lall players, and that none exceeded the age limit. It was agreed that Mr J. Procter he manager for the Horowhenua rep. team in the match against Manawatu on Saturday. Resolved that Rovers v. Weraroa Juniors play ai curtain raiser to the rep. game, at 1.15 p.m. Proposed by the chairrnan, seconded, by MiT Lenihan’s insur-' ance (amounting to £3 be paid. Proposed by Mr Grimstone, seconded by Mr Austin, that Horowhenua will be unable to play a return match against Wairarapa this season. Proposed by Mr McMillan, seconded by Mir Sciascia, that C. McLeavey’s insurance (£6) be paid. Decided that leave be granted to the Foxton Club to play Bulls next Saturday, except for men wanted for the rep. team. Proposed by Mr Sciascia, seconded by Mr McMillan, that the Rangitikei rep. game be played at Foxton. A deputation from the Otaki Club waited upon the Union and voiced their feelings relative to Mr Parata’s decision in; Saturday’s match, between Hui Mai and Otaki. Mr Parata was present and maintained that the try was a fair one, and he was upheld by the Union. The Otaki (junior) protest, against Hui Mai juniors was also dismissed, on the ground that file players mentioned had never been classified.

A heairty vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.

FOOTBALL.

TOKOMARU DEFEAT MANGORE.. The Tokomaru-Mangore match was played at, Shannon on No. 2 ground, in a mud pool. Mamgore won the tos& and Tokomaru kicked off from the south end of the ground, and on. getting the ball from Mangore’s return took it through, Simpson scoring. The major points were not added. Give and take play went on for about five minutes, when a forward rush by Tokomaru .saw Dalziell force the leather, the kick at goal failed. This gave the Reds a lead of six points. Mangore, having only 13 men on. the field up to this time, now had their team filled andi began to even things up a bit. About half way through the spell R. Torrey scored for Mangore after a forward rush and Middleton inverted. Tokomaru 6, Mangore 5. ■ay went up and down field with no alteration in the scores when the half time whistle went. On, resuming, Mangore began to force the pace and had Tokomaru hard pressed on several occasions, but good work by Parr. Dalzell and Liggins relieved them. Offside: play gave Mangore a shot at goal. Middleton made no mistake from well in field, putting Mangore two points in the lead. Tokomaru ait this stage were getting much the worse of the game and it looked as if Mangore were going to defeat them, but in the last, 15 minutes they piled on 11 points, three tries, one being converted. Liggins scored, then. A. Williams, and Simpson, who was playing a great game for Tokomaru:, scoring another try five minutes before time, Dalzell adding the major points. There was no further score when time was called. For Tokomaru the most noticeable players were M. Parr, Dalzell, A. Williams, S. Liggins and Simpton in the forwards, while' Palmer played his best gam© far the season. Th;e Whyte brothers did good work in the biaick division:.

Reed, Mangore’g captalin, certainly stood 1 out on. his own in the hack division ; of that team, and is always a dangerous amd resourceful opponent. Middleton, who is also a back, .showed up well. King, at full back, was safe while in the forwards Torrey Bros., Tregurtha', Liaiwther, and Miller showed. to advantage. SHANNON RESULTS TO DATE, Senior.—Won 2, lost 3, drew 1, points for 41, against >2B. Junior.—Won, 4, lost 2, drew 0, points for 35, against 24, one lost, by default Moutoa. Thirds.—Won, 3. lost 3, drew 0, points for 29, against 28

HOROWHENUA FOOTBALL MATTERS

THE UNION AND REFEREES. DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED. (From the Otaki “Mail.”) Probably the largest meeting of footballers held in Otaki for many years took place at the Otaki Town Hall on Monday night, Mr S. P. Eddy presiding. Insurance Fees. After advising all players who had not paid their insurance fee and subs, to do so without delay, the main questions of the evening were proceeded with. Protests. The Secretary (Mr Mclntyre) reported that on behalf of the juniors ho. had lodged a protest against Hui Mai’s win on Saturday for playing three seniors, it being shown by a report that the players mentioned had been classified. --Action endorsed. Referee Criticised. Saturday’s match, Otaki v. Hui Mai, was then fully discussed, it" being the opinion that Mr Parata (referee) had made a serious mistake in awarding a try to Manakau after the ball had been forced by an Otaki player (Udy). The

score, it was pointed out, had altered the result of the game and had robbed Otaki of the match.

Mr Henare Tahiwi (line, umpire) said he was very dissatisfied with the decision, and added that he destinctly saw Udy force the ball. Meta Johnson, he said, then came along and touched down and a try was awarded. In his opinion a protest was useless but he considered an appeal should be lodged with the Union. There was a possibility that the match would be re-play-ed.

Mr P. Tahiwi (captain), said he was also very dissatisfied with the decision, and was sure the spectators would not have hooted had they not had cause. He had never seen such a demonstration against a referee in Otaki before. He had questioned Mr Parata on the decision and was told that he could appeal, but it was pointed out that he had very little chance of success. He (the speaker) made allowances for mistakes by referees but the one in dispute appeared to him to be a glaring one. He suggested that an appeal be lodged. The Secretary said he had already lodged a protest, being obliged to do so within a certain time.

Mr Tom O’Rourke said he had already spoken to the Hui Mai Club on the matter, and. suggested that supporters of the Otaki Club, who wcryunbiassed, be asked to give support. All who Avere n'ear were willing to give ev.deuce, and an ex-member of the Maimgemer Committee (Mr Dixon) was emphatic in his opinion that Mr Parata had made a mistake. Mr O’Rourke said he had also spoken to Mr Carmichael ((secretary of the Union) on the matter, and he understood that the matter would be brought before the Referees’ Association. Otaki, he considered, was fully justified in appealing and he hoped that the match would be replayed.

Mr Batchelor said he understood that there had always been a repulsion of feeling against Mr Parata refereeing in Hui Mai-Otaki matches, and pointed out that Mr Baker had asked that another referee be appointed for the match. This Was partly agreed to and it was thought all would be in order, but evidently the Union 'did not try to avoid trouble. Mr Burroughs could easily have been appointed.

Mr O’Rourke moved that the Secretary’s action in lodging a protest; be approved. Mr F. Wilson supported previous speakers and said he was in a position to see the ball grounded by Udy. His brother, who was captain of the Hu' Mai Club, was also dissatisfied at Mi Parata’s decision.

Mr Puna Taipua, a player, said he saw Udy force the ball. Had Udy no' secured it he was nearby and coulc have forced before Hui Mai players reached it.

The' Chairman considered the .game far too fast for Mr Parata, and had previously pointed out that Mr Parata had been unfair.

Mr Batchelor suggested that all unpleasantness be got over if possible, but if they could get no redress from, the Union the Club should certainly take the matter further. The Chairman considered the Union showed a lack of judgment in appointing the referees. Mr O ’Rourkc suggested that a vote of censure be passed on the referee. The Chairman said there was no chance of winning the protest, but ventilation of the matter would do good for the future. He thought they should avoid referees who would not give them a fair go, and favoured getting outside referees even if their expenses had tc be paid.

After further discussion it was decided to wait on the Union to support the -ppeal and that. Messrs R. M. D.’Ath, A. J. Podevin, T. O’Rourke, H. Tahiwi, Dixon, Batchelor and F. Wilson be asked to accompany the delegates. Not Businesslike. The Chairman said the Union’s attention should also be drawn to the fact that it had made no arrangement with the Otaki Borough Council x'elative to the gate takings. At present, he said, anyone could put in an application and secure the ground. The Secretary, he considered, was in the habit of doing things verbally instead of putting them in,writing. Mr Hansby took exception t'o telephone messages coming from the Secretary re representative matches, while Mr Batchelor pointed out that players picked were liable to suspension for not turning up. In face of this players received no proper notice.