THE ASSOCIATION CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 138, 13 June 1929, Page 16

THE ASSOCIATION CODE.

GENERAL JOTTINGS.

NEWS OF THE WEEK-

CHATHAM CUP ENTRIES

CARTER TRANSFER INQUIRY.

Twenty-eight entries have been received for the Chatham Cup competition, and according to a report from Wellington the powers that be consider this "'very satisfactory." The New Zealand Council must be easily satisfied. Analyse the entries. Auckland 12, Wellington 5, Canterbury 5. That accounts for 22 of the 28. Dunedin boasts of a single entry, and how it comes to be accepted seems strange. The rules of the Chatham Cup state that "there shall bo a qualifying competition arranged by the council and carried out by each affiliated association to determine the leading club in its own area." There cannot be a qualifying competition in Otago which only enters one team. South Auckland is in the same box with North Auckland and Poverty Bay. The, position is hardly "very satisfactory" from the point of view of Auckland teams. The local champions ere they enter the iiiterprovineial stage of the competition, will be called npon to play at least four games, and with matches against North and South Auckland and Wellington will bring their crusade to seven contests ere reaching the final, provided they are survived. Otago champions may only play one match before the final. The competition for the national club championship is a most uneven one, and in spite of the numerous entry—thanks to a, dozen teams from Auckland—the Chatham Cup is still unjustified and badly in need of radical reform regarding the conditions of the contest.

The controversy over the transfer of Carter from -Celtic to Thistle has now ended, and since it has emerged from the jurisdiction of the judicial committee the finding of that tribunal may be commented upon. The decision may prove a very unfortunate one, and it is a pity some other way out of the impasse was not found. There has been established a precedent and a very dangerous precedent—that a player's bond, the "sigriing-on" form, is not worth the paper it is written upon. The decision further emphasises flaws in the by-laws of the association, and the sooner the proposed alterations regarding signing and transfers are put into force the better. The judicial committee found that Carter had not played for Celtic Club this season. Quite true, and the fact is entirely due to the player, who was never available. He had, as the committee said, refused to play for Celtic, but he had promised and signed a bond to play, and his position in the team was always open. He was never dropped. Owing to a rearrangement with his employer ho now desires to play for Thistle—but he had promised to play for Celtic. The judicial committee considered it a case of hardship, and under by-law 13a decided that Carter should be allowed to play for Thistle. By-law 13a states: "That the management committee may approve or refuse a transfer as they see fit." The mandatory clause, however, is by-law 12, which states that no transfer shall be granted after the fourth playing Saturday, unless a player has been definitely dropped. Carter's application came after the fourth playing Saturday. The logical assumption seems to be that by-law 13a applies to cases before the fourth playing Saturday, otherwise by-law 12 is impotent and useless. Any player on the strength of the decision of the committee seems to have a strong claim if he wants to change his club, and it might have been better for the Big Three to have explored the possibilities of a mutual settlement between the clubs before making a judicial 'pronouncement. Celtic, however, have taken the matter in a highly sportsmanlike spirit, and have endorsed their expressed desire not to keep such a capable player as Carter out of the code —it can 11! afford to lose players of that calibre. Thistle, too, are badly in need of Carter and are hard pressed for players, so that all mav be well that ends well in this case. But—

The question has been raised as to what is the position of a player who has been ordered off the field by a referee but not reported for any offence. Can he play for his club as though nothing had happened? if is asked. While it is almost unheard of for a referee to fail to report an offender he has sent to the pavilion, unless it be for faulty boots, which is Vi\c only occasion on which he is allowed to put a man off without reporting him to the disciplinary authorities, the player is not expected to suffer for an omission by the referee and cannot be expected to be out of the game if his offence has not been officially notified. The referee places himself in an awkward position - by this failure to carry out the laws of the game and subiects himself to disciplinary action by failing to carry out the terms of law 13.

At Tamaki on Saturday last Newffiarket met tlie local side and a hard same resulted in a win for the visitors by the only iroal scored. The game was fast from the whistle, the only goal in the match being the result of a clever cross from the left wing from Smith, which was taken up by Kew, thd Tkmaki goalkeeper having no opportunity of saving. The outstanding players for Newmarket were Totts and Sa'nford in the defence, while Tinkler was a great asset to the forward line. Stone for Tamaki played a very sound game, saving his side on numerous occasions. The Tame was one of the fastest and most interesting seen at Tamaki for a long time.

RAIN INTERFERES.

NIGHT MATCH POSTPONED.

The second round Catham Cup tie, Northcote v. Thistle, to have been played last night on Blandford Park under floodlight, was postponed owing to the unfavourable weather. The game has been postponed till Wednesday , night next week.

JUNIOR ITEMS,

The fourth grade gnrae between Tamaki and Y.M.C.A. provided a fast and interesting encounter, in which the former won by - goals to 1. The score fairly represents the play, Tamaki being slightly superior in team work, and had that extra bit of dash which counts in a close game. The Y.M. forward line did not work too well together, the inside men getting too far ahead, when in passing movements. The Tamaki forwards, on the other hand, gave a clever display, the left wing especially getting in some good work. The defence on both .sides was very sound, and the tackling very good. - Adams, Darwin

and Probert were outstanding for Tamaki, the latter showing clever "ball control. Ross, Gunson and Edwards played well for Y.M.C.A.

Onehunga were too strong for Y.M.C.A. B in their fourth grade match, although Y-M. played up pluckily, but had to submit to a live goal defeat. The Onehunga front line gave a sound display, showing good combination, and were well supported by the backs. Y.M. were weak in the forward line, and there was a lack of cohesion, but the backs played up well, contesting every inch of ground strenuously. With more combination and coaching Y.M. would make a good side, as the ability is there. Henderson and Showier gave a good display for Onehunga, while Holdsworth and Hoggard showed up well for Y.M. The Tamaki fifth grade team continued their winning career by defeating Y.M.C.A. A by two goals to one after a strenuous game. This was one of the best games in the grade this season, a hot pace being maintained from start to finish. Y.M., although a much lighter team, played a hard bustling game with flashes of clever combined play. These tactics quite upset the Tamaki team, and they took some time to settle down to their usual game, the forwards not showing their accustomed combination at the start of the game. They improved as the match progressed. It was sparkling football, with not a dull moment in the whole game. Harrison gave an interesting display in goal for Tamaki, while Barry also gave a clever display at centre-half. Dick, in the half-back line, and Woodhall in the forward line, were the best for Y.M.

North Shore defeated Onehunga in their fifth grade match hy two goals to nil after a rather ragged display. Onehunga had the best of matters in the first spell, but faded out in the second. Neither team showed any conception of position play or team work, and kick and rush was the order. Ferguson and Farquharson were best for Shore, while Jackson and Williams plaved well for Onehunga. Carlton still continue their -unbeaten career in the sixth grade, defeating Belmont by two goals to nil after a close and even game. Carlton were better served in the forward line, always being dangerous in front of goal, while their opponents were inclined to be weak in this respect. The position play and team work of both sides was good, but the better finishing of the Carlton front line gave them the victory. Cleal, Selby and Williams were conspicuous for Carlton, the former getting both goals. He lias scored 30 odd goals this season for Carlton. Heath and Pascoe were prominent for Belmont, the latter's sound tackling being again much in evidence. ~ , , The Belmont A v. Comrades filth grade game was a bright and interesting display. Comrades had much the best of the first spell, and the score was even, one goal each at the interval. Belmont improved considerably in the second spell, and put on two more goals, winning by 3 to 1. There was some clever play in this match by both sides, but the Belmont, forwards were slightly better in front of goal, and to this fact they owe their victory. Stott and Laing were the best of an even side for Belmont, while Jones and Booth were prominent for Comrades. Y MCA. A were just a bit too good for Comrades A in their sixth grade match, better team work enabling them to win by 3 goals to 0, although the score hardly represents the run of the game. Comrades were weak in front of goal, several good scoring chances being missed by the inside forwards. There was r •thing between the backs, both sides be. well served in this respect. The Y.M. fox ..aids were strong in front of goal, and the goals scored were the result ot good combined work. For Y.M. McMlken and Papa were the best, and Bunting and Avery stood out prominently for Comrades.