LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 125, 30 May 1933, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. ARRAXGEMEXTS FOR TO-MORROW. The mid-week competition of the Auckland Rugby League will commence tomorrow, when all four, matches will be played at Caiinw Park. The teams have been at diligent practice for some weeks, and it is expected that the standard of play will be an advance upon that shown when Wednesday gainer were hold some two .years ago., Aβ it has been laid down that senior Saturday players must not play except with the permission of their c-lubs, it is expected that this will tend to make the contests more equal and bring to the front players of promise. ' The draw is as follows: — Carlaw Park. No. 1, 2.15 p.m.—Checker Taxis v. Amalgamated Theatre's A. No. 2 ground: Seamen United v. Amalgamated Theatres B. Carlaw Park, No. 1, a.30.p.m. : Victoria United v. City Markets. No. 2 ground : ltnilway Locomotive v. Atla Taxis. Tho referees will be:—No. 1, 2.15 p.m., Mr. Carroll ; 3.15 p.m., Mr. \V. .Simpson ; No. 2, Mr. A. line; 3.15 p.m., Mr. C. Moore.

MEETING OF REFEREES. PUTTING BALL IN SCRUMS. A lively discussion by the Auckland Rugby League Referees Association last evening resulted in the adoption of a recommendation to the Auckland Board of Control that a trial be given to a suggestion for referees to put the ball in the scrums at all grade-matches.

ilie seuiewry, iur. \ . ijiiuiitfJ'u, said he hail beisii asKuu by the enauuiuu ol the league, Air. u. di'oy Lalupueil, to bring up uie matter lur eonsidui auou. it wab icit tliac Uie scrumming was not salistuetory, particularly wuu regard 10 nooKing iinu owier imriiigciueius aiuuiiu tne swum, xne system oi reierees pucting tne ball in tut; serums was tneu out soine six years ago, but Had not been persisted with, wnat Had applied tneu, pernups did not necessarily apply to conditions to-day.

Mr, y. Billmau said the suggestion was one of a- uuinuer rnaue in tiie columns ot uu Jiiiigiisn paper recently ior improvement tu the game. However, tue proposal nau oeen disposed ot by tile editor.

in the course of a long discussion, Mr. L. Bull said it was a very dillicuit subject, but as tiiere was olncial, as well as puulie demand,, tor some improvement in the control of scrums, the new idea well might be tried out. i'ossibly with the standard oi play at a mucii higher level now, tiie fact that the reieree put the ball in the syiums and would be in a, better position to detect hooking offences, might prove a benefit. iVibreover, the half-backs would be given a more equal opportunity. His opinion was that the experiment would be worth while, otherwise the present custom could be reverted to.

Mr. P. Kogers said that he had to take aotiou with regard to hookers on Saturday, and he felt at the time he-, could have improved matters it he had the power to put tlie ball in the scrums, fcitill, he realised that the suggestion was tampering with .English, rules and this might lead to other alterations. If it was adopted in Auckland, it should be made a national practice. ■ . ■ The chairman, Mr. A. Ball: It is proposed only for local club fixtures. Mr. Stevens felt that if the present rules were enforced there would ,be no trouble, and. the new proposal was only a sign of weakness. Mr. Wetherill added that fine and fast football was played in Australia, and the hooking troubles were eliminated because there the referees insisted on the rules being observed, and, above all, that hookers must not hook the Kail except with the foot furthest from the half putting in the ball. During the 1930 tour he had not seen more than three scrums "concertina" in Sydney. The Chairman: Frankly speaking, I think the proposal a good one, and 1 do not think it could be regarded as derogatory- to referees. The motion was carried by thirty rotes to six. Arising from another suggestion, it was decided to ask the Auckland League to request the Ambulance men at Carlaw Park to co-operate with the referees as far as possible in having injured players removed to the .sideline to permit play to proceed. i Mr. McCowatt, for the grading committee, reported that Messrs. M. Wetherill and S.' Billman had been promoted to senior class. Line umpires for Carlaw Park were appointed as follows:—No. 1 ground: Messrs. J. Stormont and L. Dixon. • No. 2: Messrs. J. Gedye and T. Carey.