CLEAN FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20258, 29 July 1937, Page 10

CLEAN FOOTBALL

APPEAL BY SPRINGBOKS. TRIBUTES TO COMBINED TEAM. “A REALLY SPORTING GAME.” “I want to impress upon the people of New Zealand that ttie Springboks want to play good clean football and they will meet every team more than half way in their des re to do this; we would rather lose than have to resort to unfair tactics and I wish to pay the highest possible tribute to the Combined team for the wonderful sporting spirit in which they played to-day's game.” These remarks by Mr P. J. Nel, Captain of ttie Springboks Rugby team, were greeted with applause at the dinner given in the Hamilton Hotel to the two teams last evening after the match. Mr A. E. Gibbons, President of the Waikato Rugby Union, presided, and lie welcomed the visitors and thanked them for the fine game they had provided. In proposing the toast of the visiting team Mr Gibbons referred to the wonderful traditions of the Springbok teams and said that the present team was a worthy successor to worthy predecessors.

In replying to the toast, Mr P. W. Day, the manager of the team expressed the thanks of the team for the wonderful hospitality extended to them during their stay in Hamilton and also thanked the Combined team for the manner in which theV met them regarding the duration of the match. “In South Africa we always play 35 minute spells in provincial games and 40 minute spells in international games and we expected to do the same in New Zealand. If we come back here in 30 years’ time we will probably find that In New Zealand you play an hour or an hour and a half spells.” he added Jocularly. However, the Combined team had met them in the matter of time. Memories of Hamilton. Mr Nel paid a tribute to the fine game the Combined team provided stating that under the conditions it was anybody’s game. What he and his men were most pleased about was the hard but very sporting spirit in which the game was played. In most games on such a heavy ground when the play was confined to the forwards tempers usually became frayed but in this match the true spirit of Rugbyprevailed. Hamilton, for this reason would always be a cherished memory. “The conditions certainly suited us more than they suited the Springboks,” commented Mr G. A. Crossman, Captain of the Combined team, in replying to the toast of his team proposed by Mr Nel. “ However, the members of the side are delighted with the showing they have made and are proud to know that they have given such a fine side such a close match.” He endorsed Mr Nel’s remark about the sportfng spirit in which the game was played and added Ilia he was sure that the Springboks woui'd ffnd the same sporting spirit throughout New Zealand.

LENGTH OF GAME. THIRTY-FIVE MINUTE SPELLS. The match between the Springboks and the Combined team at Hamilton yesterday, which resulted in such a narrow win for the tourists, was played with 35-minute spells Instead of the usual 40-niinutc spells customary in New Zealand. This was at the request of the manager and captain of the visiting side. Mr C. A. Crossman. captain of the home team and members of the union agreeing to Hie shorter time. There is likely lo he a great deal of discussion over the times of ihe matches throughout the tour as the visitors desire to play 35-minute spells in the provincial matches as they do in South Africa. The request was made In Auckland but was declined. It Is of Interest to note that the i 928 All Blacks in South Africa played spells of 40 minutes for every match. REPLY TO MAYOR’S WELCOME. The following letter has been received by the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, from Mr I*. W. Day, manager of the Springboks’ team: 41 I have, to acknowledge your letter conveying a welcome to your city to myself and to ttie members of the Springboks’ team. I assure you I have appreciated your welcome very much indeed, more so because you were in the similar position when ttie members of the 1921 team visited your city. ” We shall carry away many happy recollections of this visit to your city as our predecessors did in 1921. Once more many thanks for your very kind wishes.” SOUTHLAND CAPTAIN. MITCHELL RECOVERED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association ) INVERCARGILL, Wednesday. It was announced to-night that N. A. Mitchell s leg injury had responded lo treatment and it was definite that he would lead the Southland team against Otago in the Ranfurlv Shield match at Dunedin on Saturday. Mitchell staled that his leg had practically recovered, and he would he fit on .Saturday.