RUGBY AFFAIRS.

Shannon News, 30 April 1926, Page 3

RUGBY AFFAIRS.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE BUSINESS. The Management Committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council met Tuesday evening, the chairman (Mr J. .1. O’Connor) being in the chair. Also present: Messrs J. Rimmer, W. N. Anderson, J. McDonald, .1. Procter, S. Austin, W. Hannan, W. Moynihan, J. Robson, F. Robinson, W. Neville, R. Braun, N. Emmett, and the secretary (Mr J. Casey). '1 he Referees Assoeialion, through I the secretary (Mr N. Emmett), protested against Weraroa playing in white jerseys, pointing out that white had always been the recognised colours of toe referees. —Received. The Miranui Club applied for the re-instatement of Eric Pratt from League to-Rugby football.‘"This player took part in Junior League 'during 1922, has not played football since that time, and the applicants stated they needed Pratt’s services to assist in maintaining the standard of junior football—Recommended for the consideration of the combined union. The Miranui Club applied for per- ' mission tO' enter a third grade team. —Mr Robson, representing the Miranui Club, stated they had approximately 36 members, but a number were not eligible for either senior or junior grade football. Unfortunately, at the present time a number of these players were obliged to stand on the bank, and it was a pity that some ; promising 'material was not being utilised.—The request was granted. PLAYERS' ORDERED OFF-TWO , SUSPENDED. Mr J. Sciascia, who refereed at 'the County A—Weraroa match on Saturdav last, reported having to order-off St.' Clair, of the Weraroa team,.for deliberately striking at an opposing player. St. Clair attended the meeting, and staffed tlia(t although lie had struck itopata, the offence had not' been a deliberate one, bpt more in the nature of an act on the spur of the moment.

Members of the committee who were present at- the match, substantiated St. Clair’s explanation. After discussion, the committee considered the punishment of having been ordered off might be sufficient. If, however, this offender again appears before the committee and is charged with a similar offence, his case would be taken into more sei ious consideration. . \ Mr A. George, referee at last Saturday’s match between Hui Mai and Otaki, reported having to stand three players', viz., J. Lima and J. Kopat a (Otaki)’ and R. Robinson (Hui Mai) on the side line. Lima seized R. Naes, a Hui Mai player, by the collar’ and heavily threw him to the ground, although the latter was not in possession of the ball. Ropata and Robinson were simultaneously ordered' off, the former having showed many signs of aggravating players, finally giving Robinson a punch below the eye. The latter player raised- his hand, either for the, purpose of retaliation or 1 for striking Ropata, hut as there seemed some uncertainty the referee deemed it fair to order-off both men. A further regrettable, and unsportsmanlike, feature was the action' of a section of the Otaki supporters, who indulged freely in hos tile criticism, thereby inciting the Otaki team to rough play. ' Lima and Ropata failed to appeal at the meeting and, in consequence, are suspended until they put in an appearance before the Management Committee. Robinson, who laid his case before the Committee, stated that the whole tiling had happened so quickly that he had not' realised what happened. The incident had occurred on the impulse and he regretted his part in it. He was given a warning similar to that of St, Clair’s , and with toe same conditions.

INSURANCE. The secretary asked for a ruling on the question' of the union’s liability in the case of injured players whose clubs had not paid their insurance The treasurer (Mr J. Rimmer) informed the meeting that, to date, only, three senior teams had paid their insurance dues. It was resolved that clubs be informed that insurance fees are now due, and unless paid within 14 days, clubs will be suspended until insurance fees have been paid. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION COMPLAINT. Mr ‘ Emmett* representative of the Refesees’ Association, said Qtaki had informed the Association that they would not play under four of the seven referees gazetted to handle the matches in the Horowhenua Union. Such an attitude was ridiculous and unsportsmanlike, and the referees would like a ruling from the Management Committee on the question. The chairman (Mr J. I. O’Connor] said that the Committ,e were undoubtedly going to uphold the rules. Rule said: “All clubs competing must accept the referee appointed for the different matches, subject to the following proviso: In the event of any teams agreeing bp on the appointment -of a referee for their particular match, a written request, signed by the captains of the teams or their secretaries, and by the referee, shall be handed to the secretary of ; the Referees’ Association not later than J p.m. on the Monday preceding the match. Such request to be granted. That rule would be enforced. NO REINSTATEMENT. Lionel Buckman, who received in 1923 a. life disqualification for assaultIng a referee, appeared before the Management Committee, and asked them to consider his reinstatement. He was asked by the chairman whe-

ther, if the sentence were lifted, H was his intention to again play tootstated that in all probability be would want jo play, and h desired an unconditional reinstate-' Mr Robinson moved that as Buckman was sorry for his action, and had been out for four year’s, it be a recommendation to the. ComimUee o the Combined Union that they ask the N.Z. Rugby Union to rescind U ns player’s disqualification. Mi Moyn ban seconded the motion. As an amendment Mr Procter moved that the disqualification still stand, as the sentence served had been al - - gether too short. Buckman had been convicted in court of striking the referee and he should not he reinstated. On being put to the meetin o h voting on the amendment was equd , seven votes for and seven The chairman gave Ins cas ; for the amendment, and the drsqua. fication thus remains.