FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 193, 29 May 1934, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE ASHBURTON UNION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR JUNE 4. The Management Committee of the Ashburton Rugby Union met last evening, the president (Mr J. C. C. McLachlan) occupying the chair. The Hinds junior team protested against the action of the Technical Old Boys' Club in playing S. Holland who had not obtained a clearance from the Hinds Club. Mr A. Thomson said there had been a slight oversight. He thought it would have been more sporting to lodge this protest on the day of the match, when the matter could have been settled. The Hinds Club had committed just as serious a breach of'the tides when, it played men on Saturday who enly registered that day. The Hinds chairman and secretary had given verbal approval of the transfer when approached some time ago, but the clearance had not been obtained in writing. If the rules were to be strictly enforced, they should all. be enforced. The Technical Club did not mind if it won the match or not. . In view of the fact that a verbal agreement had been come to it was decided to dismiss the protest and refund the fee. The South Canterbury Union confirmed September 8 as the date for the annual match against Ashburton, at Ashburton. A protest was received from Hign School against playing the third grade match against Methven at Methven on Saturday at 1.30 p.m., in yiew of its difficulty to get to Methven in time. It was pointed out that this fixture was set down for Ashburton, but was arranged to be played at Methven because of the closed day. ~-.-, , It was decided that the High School Club should be written to explaining the position and regretting any mcoiir venieuce caused. The Technical Club entered a team in the fourth grade competition. It was stated that High School, Allenton and Tinwald had also each entered a .team. , . . Mr D. F. Macdonald was thanked for his interest in these teams. Town v. Country Match at Rakaia. The Rakaia Club wrote asking, if the Town v Country match was to be plaved at Rakaia this season. If so tlie club intended to hold a closed day for the benefit of the Union, but if not other arrangements would be made It was decided to play this match at Rakaia. „ ' c . i i The Methven Convent School acknowledged the Union's gift of a football. ■. „,. ■., R. ond T. Hawkins, of the Tinwald Club, were regraded from the third to the fourth grade. . ■ ,• Messrs H v Porter and Macdonald were appointed joint conveners of the grounds committee in succession to Mr J. Smith who resigned. It was reported that arrangements were in hand for a match on June 4, there being every prospect of a good Cliristchurch team coming to Ashbur°lt was decided -that the Springbiirn v High School third grade, match should be played as a curtain-raiser on June 4. and failing this the Technical v. High School match, both ot these having been postponed. It was left tp Mr Macdonald to arrange a midget teams' game at half-time. Mr E S. Chambers was appointed referee of the senior representative match and Mr G. W. Brown of the curtain-raiser. . Mr Porter was appointed managei of the senior representative team. The following players have been selected for practice, for this fixture:— Betteiidge, J. VarcoeG. Stephen, K. McCormick, G. Day, I. Eehrnes T. Cates, McAllister, Bradford BDoig, MoKeWe, Mead, K. Doig G Dalton, J. Mulhern,'G. Jordan, Pablecheque, Yarkers and F. Hood. Default of Old Boys Seniors. Mr Macdonald said that the Old Boys Club had, as a result of its default to Hinds in the senior grade on May 19, lost the junior and third grade matches on the same day. However, the rule necessitating this had been deleted in 1930, so no forfeit could be imposed. . , A member: We can't be expected to have the minute books for the last 2U years in front of us when deciding these matters. Is it not time the Union's .rules were revised? _ _ The chairman said the position was anomalous and a, notice of motion to substitute another rule for the one deleted should be given. •It was decided that the previous resolution should be rescinded and the junior and third grade match points restored to Old Mr Macdonald also stated that tiie club was in a better condition now to carry on. ~ A proposal that country clubs should be responsible for the expenses or referees travelling from the town to the country was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration, it being pointed out that the Union could not afford to meet this large item of expenditure. After the meeting, the Management Committee met members of the Ashburton Rugby Referees' Association and discussed matters affecting Rugby in Ashburton Proceedings were taken in camera. Draw for Saturday. The draw for Saturday's matches is as follows: — - jT , Senior Grade—Hinds v. Methven, at Hinds (Mr O. Miller); -Old Boys y. Rakaia, at Rakaia (Mr F. Kennedy) ; Technical Old Boys v. Allenton No. 1, Showgrounds, at 2.45 p.m. (Mr U. "WelliiiPii') ""' Junior Grade-Old Boys y Mount Somers, at Mount Somers (the Rev. E A Osmers); Technical Old Boys v. Lowciiffe, at Loweliffe (Mr S. Alexander) • Methven v. Springbiirn, at Methven (Mr A. R. Gourley); Rakaia v. Mayfield, No. 4, Showgrounds, at 2.46 a in (Mr J. McMillan) ; Hinds v. Tinwalri at Tinwald (Mr W. R. John). Third Grade—Technical Old Boys v. Springburn. No. 5. Showgrounds, at 2 46 p.m (Mr L. Hadley) : Methven v. Old Bovs; at Methven (Mr W. Burrows) ; High School v. Rakaia, No. 3,

Showgrounds, at 2.4 u p.m. (Mr C. H. Day). Fourth Grade—Tinwald v. Technical, No. 4, Showgrounds, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr G. W. Brown); High School v. Allenton, No. 1, Showgrounds, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr J. Lewis).

HITTING IN LINE-OUTS. CHARGES MADE BY REFEREES. . Allegations that there were holding and punching in line-outs and other serious infringements in general }:>lay were made by Mr N. Sheldon, at a recent meeting of the New Soutli Wales Rugby Union Referees' Association. "The position was never more serious than at present, and I am speaking from experience extending over eight years," he said. "It will have to be cleaned up, or else Rugby Union is doomed." The debate followed a motion which was afterwards withdrawn, by Mr D. Deane, that the association should approach the council far a definite policy regarding the duties of referees. Mr Deane said that the present idea was to keep the game open for the benefit of the public, who enjoyed a fast, spectacular match. To do this meant little use of the whistle and the sacrifice of the technical side leaving it open for many breaches or rules to take place. The -result has been that players take advantage of it. . Mr J. Darvall Hunt (chairman) said that the Umpires' Appointment Board was fully seized with the position and its importance, and unless the referees cleaned up play .without delay the board would get the same result, but by another method. "There is absolutely no question that the line-out is the dirtiest thing in the game," he concluded. The secretary', Mr O. Pike, said that no good purpose would be served by sending the matter'on to the council. This was composed of Club representatives, not five per cent. of. whom knew the rules. "We should take the law into our own hands," he said.

Finally it was agreed to tighten up the control, the referees being instructed to interpret the rules to the letter.