ROUGH RUGBY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 272, 29 August 1933, Page 2

ROUGH RUGBY

THE PAYNE TROPHY MATCH.

i SYDENHAM PLAYERS BLAMED.

(Special to the “Guardian.”) DUNEDIN, August 28,

Strong comment Concerning the conduct of the- Bayne Trophy match between Sydenham and Otago University A, in Christchurch last week, was made by Dr. E. R. Harty (manager of tiie University team) at a meeting of the Otago Rugby Football Union tonight. Dr. Harty said that if those who saw the game in Dunedin last- year could imagine something 50 per cent, worse, they would arrive at an idea of the character of the game. If was a “dog-light,” and a disgusting exhibition to watch, and the question arose whether it was worth continuing this annual fixture under the present conditions governing it. < Dr. Harty said he was quite sure the University team did not start any of the trouble; but after a time both packs of. forwards seemed to forget there was a ball to play. The refereeing of the match was ridiculous.

One or two speakers suggested that Otago and Canterbury should decide whether the match should be abandoned; but the general opinion was that it would be a display of weakness to drop an annual game because one team was determined to introduce illegal tactics and rough play. Mr H. Harris; said it was to be regretted that the game had been such an exhibition; but Dunedin knew that there was no cleaner team in the local competition than University A. Obviously, weak refereeing had enabled a rough element in the Sydenham team to spoil the match. FAULTS ON BOTH SIDES. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “It was unfortunately a game which lent itself to rough play, and the referee said after the match that he should have ordered off men on both sides,” said Mr A. E. McPhail (president of the Canterbury Rugby Union), when the Dunedin message was submitted to him for comment last night. “Perhaps the referee allowed a little more latitude than lie should, -but he apparently considered that the game was a friendly fixture.” Although he thought that the matter of giving up the game should not be commented on without further consideration, Mr McPhail said it seemed hardly worth while bringing up this question, because it was not as if the same teams met every year.