"UNSPORTSMANLIKE"

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 208, 3 September 1925, Page 6

"UNSPORTSMANLIKE"

A SECRETARY'S PROTEST. PONSONBY v. GRAFTON GAME. "Grossly unsportsmanlike," is how Mr. T. McConnell, secretary of the Grafton ! fifth grade Rugby football club, rharacI terises a recent action on the part of J the* Pensonby Club in the same grade. Mr. McConnell has something' to say, also, about the Rugby junior advisory committee. The trouble came about over a game played at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon between the two teams mentioned. The match ended in a win for Grafton by 6to 3. Late on Monday i afternoon, however, Mr. McConnell was [informed by the Rugby Union, per 'phone, that Ponsonby had entered a protest on the grounds that Grafton had played a boy who was over age. Mr. McConnell could not communicate immediately with the player, but did so ac early as possible—at about 5.15 i o'clock on the same afternoon. The player then admitted that he was over age. But on making inquiries, Mr McConnell found that his club was not the only one at fault. He ascertained that Poneonby had itself played an unregistered player. A counter-protest was therefore entered early on Tuesday afternoon. "On attending the meeting of the Hugby Union Junior Advisory Board' on Tuesday night, was informed that the protest was not in order, because it was not lodged within 48 hours after the game," said Mr. McConnell in relating the facts to a "Star" representative to-day. "Our protest was therefore waived, while that of Ponsonby was allowed." ("I contend," said Mr. McConnell. ' that, in cases of this nature, both sides should have equal time to collect evidence. The time given mc was quite inadequate. But apart from that, as things, stand at present, it is quite possible for two teams to play ringersin, and one can wait until a* minute or two before the 48 hours allowed, and then protest, knowing that the chances of the other team counteracting is frustrated. In any case, I consider the . action of the Ponsonby team in playing an ineligible player and then protesting, to be grossly unsportsmanlike."' r The members of the Grafton team are equally indipnant, and protest in like manner to their secretary.