LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 136, 11 June 1935, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AFFAIRS OF THE REFEREES.

SCRUM EXPERIMENT CRITICISED.

At the meeting of the Auckland Rugby .League Referees' Association last evening, with Mr. L. E. Bull presiding, a timtion of condolence was passed to Mr. T. Carey, a member of the junior managemsnt and formerly a member of the association.

The chairman extended a hearty welcome to Mr. V. M. Simpson, former secretary and now chairman of the Wellington Rugby League, who, on behalf of that body, extended hearty greetings. He said the code was making great progress in Wellington. His remarks were heartily applauded. Arising out of the playing of a twoman front rank scrum formation by Marist against. Mount Albert on Saturday, the executive suggested that, although there was nothing in the rules covering the point, the Auckland League be asked to insist that the orthodox scrum formation, 3-2-1, be adhered to.

Mr. J. T. Hill favoured the matter being dealt with by the New Zealand Referees' Association. He moved an amendment accordingly.

The chairman said the executive thought the Auckland League should draw the attention of the clubs to the undesirabiljty of the changed front rank formation, which was not in the proper spirit of the game.

Mr. Saunders moved an amendment that no action be taken, and Mr. Hill withdrew his amendment. The former said the matter was one for the clubs.

Mr. Hill contended that the two-man front rank was better, and Mr. Kenton drew attention to the fact that the international scrum was 3-2-1. Mr. Billman supported Mr. Hill and thought that experiments by clubs to improve the scrums and hooking should be encouraged, seeing that the rules provided scope for such experiments.

The executive's 'recommendation was adopted. A proposal bv Mr. Wetherill for the issuing of an official badge for referees is to be considered at next meeting.

On a ballot being taken, Mr. Freeman Thompson was readmitted as a member.