FOOTBALL MATTERS.

Shannon News, 7 May 1926, Page 3

FOOTBALL MATTERS.

M \NAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING. Tlie w eekly meeting' of the Management Committee of the Horowhenua ' Rugby District Council was held last • evening, Mr J. .1. O'Connor, the chairman, presiding. Also present: Messrs i. Dimmer, 3. McDonald, 3. Robson, "W. Haiinan, B. Braun, N. Emmett (Referees’'Association), W. N. Anderson, H. Lynch, 3. Procter. INSURANCE. The treasurer (Mr 3. Dimmer) reuorted that since clubs had been acquainted with the fact they would be suspended if their insurance fees were not forthcoming before luesda,y next, there had been an appreciable sum received in this connection. Mr l-iannan said that while the Committee would not be anxious to suspend any club, yet the rule was quite clearly laid down, and would have to be enforced. The secretary (Mr J. Casey) remarked that each club had been advised as to the circumstances, and, as a result, the outcome was quite satisfactory. . T ' , Mr 3. Linklater, M.P., and Patron , of the Horowhenua Union, forwarded a donation of £2 2s, and in so doing he wished the Union every success during the 1926 season.—A vote of thanks by way of acclamation was accorded the donor for Ills generosity.

WRONG COLOURS AND LATE STARTING. The secretary of the Referees’ Association reported two Otaki players, llakaraia and P. Taliiwi, for having appeared in jerseys of the wrong colour.. The chairman remarked that this was a question which vitally affected football, as if players failed to wear their correct colours the game did not look like football, but the public appreciated seeing a well-dress-ed team. The rule book, clearly defined the fact of it being imperative for teams y to; appear in their correct colours, afid any tailing in this direction would have to be met with a fine. . . Mr Eminett (Referees’ Association): The secretary assured me that the requisite number of jerseys had notarrived, hut that, the matter would be rectified before next Saturday. /. Mr Anderson: I think it is a very good thing that the Referees’ Association lias brought this matter before the Union. The explanation as to why these two men wore incorrect colours may be alright, but- in, the past the Otaki Club lias been one of tlie worst offenders in tli's respect. The right way to go about this is for the lefeieo, to stop meri'fiom going on to the field. Mr Emmett: That is a Union matter, •the referees can -only prevent men from wearing incorrect studs in their boots or rings on their fingers. Mr Robson: If clubs doii’t know' this rule, that is no'excuse, and if clubs are going to walk over the rules, wo might just as well not come here. The secretary (Mr 3. Casey) asked that the matter be held over till the Otaki, Club had tin opperuniy of making an explanat ion. With in , the next few days he proposed sending each club a rule ( book. in addition, to which he suggested that any team not on the. field by 2.50 p.m. should not be allowed to play. Mr Hannan expressed his willingness-, to bold the matter over till next Saturday, hut the instruction would have to be acted upon by them. Mr Lvneh: I am pleased that Mr Emmett'' has taken this stand. He is probably one of the first referees to report players for tills shortcoming, .and I think ail referees should he advised as to this rule. The chairman: In regard to late starting, T think that is the reason why we in Levin have lost so much public support. The public are on the ground in-time for the match to ■start at 2.45 ip.ni., and it is ridiculous to expect them to 1 wait until half past three. We must enforce both the prompt starting rule and that, of wearing the proper colours. Mr Casey moved, and was seconded by Mr Hannan, that from the 15th instant all matches shall start at 2.50 p.m., and teams will be allowed only ton minutes’ grace. The secretary of the County Club advised that their B team had defaulted to Bui Mai, and bad since decided to. withdraw from the competition. There has .been a re-draw in the senior division, and County A will play Wanderers at Levin on Saturday.

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES.

SENIORS. Southern United v. Weraroa, at ■Weraroa, 3 p.m.. H. Karauti. Foxton v. Otaki, at Foxton, 3 p.m., \ McDonald. Shannon v. Hui Mai, at Manakau, o p.m., N. Emmett. Wanderers v. County, at Levin, 3 p.m. E. Bevan. JUNIORS. Awabou v. Miranui, at Miranui, 3 p.m., Hi. Henri. „ Shannon v. Weraroa, at Shannon, 3 p.m., W. Peters. Foxton v. Tokomaru, at Tokomaru, 3 p.m.', P. H. McGregor. . Wanderers v. Ofaki, at Otaki, 3 p.m., J. H. Rhodes. Hui Mai, a' bye. ■ , THIRDS. Foxton v. Wanderers, at Foxton, 3 p.m., W. Neville. Weraroa v. Shannon, at Prouse’s Paddock, 3 p.m., .T.Sadd. Otaki Maori College v. Kukri, at Kukn; 3 p.m., K. Davis. Otaki V. Southern United, at Paraparaumn. 3 p.m., S. E. Hill.

FOURTHS. Levin D.H.S. v. Foxton, at Foxton, 1.30 p.m., I-I. Pene. Foxton D.H.S. v. Weraroa, at Levin, 1.30 p.m., P. 3. McLeavey. Shannon, a bye. NOTES AT RANDOM. Those present at Otaki on Saturday to witness' the County-Otaki contest came, away wdtli the feeling that they iiad spent the afternoon wadi for, although the game was not brilliant, it, was full of interest right up to the finish. County fielded a very solid pack of scrummages and they dominated the tight play, in fact in this department the Otaki forwards, wore quite outclassed. The Greens stuck to their task gamely for three parts of the game but crumpled under tlie strain during tire last quarter of an hour when County put on an additional twelve points.

'Fire one phase of tlie play that the Otaki forwards were superior to. the Blues, was in their scrum work. Tin: County forwards have a lot to learn in this direction and must soon realise that a badly formed scrummage is going to be a serious handicap when up against a fast set of backs. When County did get possession the ball just dribbled out slowly, consequently the Blue rearguard did not geit a chance to move before the opposing backline was on top of them. Taipua, Otaki’s half, saw a lot more of the ball from the set scrams than Parata did, but had a weak attacking five-eighth Tine behind him. p. Taliiwi and his brother B. Tahiwi, proved very fast in the threequarter line, but they constantly had to make their own .openings as usually when the ball reached them they were simply crowded out. . County by their display on Saturday gave the impression that, if they can withstand the pace of a fast open game as■ well as the tight stuff they revelled in on Saturday, they are going to be a hot preposition this season. , , ■

Rhodes, the Otaki winger, was undoubtedly. tlie best forward on his side. He played a fine game particularly on defence, where on more than one occasion he turned defence into attack with excellent solo efforts. In the first spoil, Weraroa looked like making a game of it on Saturday against Wanderers but after halftime the Blacks junmiped into tlieir stride and Weraroa were, kept busy endeavouring to keep the score down. Although he has been playing senior football for about fifteen years, J. Hopa again proved the old adage that “it takes an old dog for a-bard road” for, on Saturday, when Weraroa. were fip against it, his defensive work was an 'Object (lesson to many of his younger team mates. ' D. Tatana, one of Wanderers’ mainstays in the forwards, struck form with a. 'vengeance and opened it up to his backs from all directions. This player is also an adept, at dribbling the ball and is one of the best in the district at this particular branch of the game. In Webber, County have the makings of a first class full-back. He takes the ball cleanly and whilst being a strong runner,. also came to light with an effective sidestep that proved very elusive. However, his strongest forte is bis tackling/ which is vc.rv deadly. " Next to Rhpdos, Gleeson. was the best, performer on the P'taki side. He was Imre, there and everywhere, and although, suffering from a nasty cut no tlie head, received early in the game, be stuck to bis task well. The Shannou-Faxton clash provided the fans with some good football and good form was shown bv both teams. Shannon established a bandy lead early in tlie second spell, and although Foxton lasted better than the Reds.they could not manage to pull the game through.

The form shown, in tlie club games up to date indicates that there, will be a vast improvement in the rep teams this season. Heremaia was a tiger' in the loose work on Saturday against Otaki and was at the head of most of the County rushes. The penalty try awarded him was the insult of a fine lonehanded -effort, .and fully deserved’its reward. Palmer 'is another forward who renders good service to the Blues, but is really too kind-hearted and lacks that ]ittle' bit of devil so essential in the make-up of a high class scrummagci. Shannon has some' new blood out this season and'show-signs of develoiping into a good combination. From all reports they are quite confident of being in at the death when the championship is decided.

M. MacDonald, the County winger disappointed his supporters on Saturday. ITe was slow off the mark and instead of going right ahead after receiving the ball bo paid too- much attention to pushing his t a ciders away, practically stopping dead in the proC6SS. ' Hoskings, on the other wing, although not particularly noticeable, got through a lot. of solid graft. Warren gave a good display and is a better second five-eighth or centre than he is a wing-three-quarter. His try was the gem of the match.

Picking up the hall wide out he ran ’infield and turned as if to send on to his supports. Instead of doing so he shot ahead and left at leastthree Otaki men standing helplessly by.

Wanderers, under the tuition of Jacob, are gradually developing in to a good combination. Possessing a speedy set of forwards, they shine in the loose work and when within strik-

ing distance are perhaps the. most dangerous in the competition. Harry Jacob, despite,his active participation in the senior competition, is also giving a lot of time to the coaching of his club’s junior’ and third grade players and it is to' be hoped the younger fry realise fully the benefit to be gained from the knowledge handed o;n by this expqrieifced player. Another new player to this district took the ' field with the Blacks on Saturday in the person of A. Bond.

This player locked the scram for the Marist Senior fifteen in Napier last season and gained his place in the Hawlces Bay B Reps, who toured the West Coast/ He certainly looks as if he will produce the goods and the Wanderers are fortunate in securing his services.

The matter of the players’ attire was discussed at the Union meeting on Tuesday and the Ret'eree-s Association complained of the various coloured jerseys some of the teams displayed. The union decided to strictly enforce the rules in this connection and it is -certainly a step in the right direction. To see a team take the field slovenly attired, is not only unpleasant to the eyes, but. also lowers the general tone of the whole game. •Owing to County -B’s withdrawal the match set down locally on Saturday will be County versus” Wanderers. On the form shown by both teams this should provide the local enthusiasts with a great game and given decent weather, an excellent tussle should ensue.

The Shannon Hui Mai clash should also be a ding-dong struggle. Both teams are confident and the result is very open. S. Kulti, a Wanderers’ forward, while playing against Weraroa complained of interna] pains and on being examined ,by a doctor after the match was ordered straight into hospital to undergo an operation for appendicitis. Of a quiet, unassuming disposition, he is very popular among the football fraternity, wlvo will wish him a speedy recovery.