PLAYING THE PLAYER.

Shannon News, 18 May 1928, Page 3

PLAYING THE PLAYER.

To the Editor,

gj r> —i should like to draw the attention of followers of the National Game in this locality to a certain characteristic feature which was noticeable in the Miranui-Shannon match last Saturday, and which is also conspicuous in our senior club football. I noticed that, on numerous occasions when a player went down on the ball to stem a rush, members of the opposing team would gather round him and kick and slash in a most reckless manner, regardless whether they injured him or not. Their one aim seemed to be to kick, and, in the carrying out of this purpose, they appeared quite careless as to whether it was the leather or the poor unfortunate on the ground on whom they meted out, their punishment. Surely, this is not the true spirit in which Rugby should be played! It was a source of amazement to me that the referee in the above mentioned match allowed such tactics to continue without remonstration or making an example of the principal offenders. This type of football amounts to "playing the man" and cannot be tolerated if the game is to be played in a clean, sporty spirit. I think that I am not far wrong in stating that at least fifty, per cent, of the injuries in our local club games are due to this inconsiderate and reckless type of play. Some men, I have noticed, make a deliberate practice of using their feet and fists to unfair advantage in these melees when they th'.nlcthe referee is not watching. In conclusion, I must state that it is up to the referees to see that football of the above nature is controlled more than it has been in some matches at which I have been an onlooker. —I am etc. SPECTATOR.