FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16309, 5 September 1918, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

t - —. THE MODIFIED BULES. REVOLT OF WELLINGTON UNION. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, September 4. Notwithstanding the refusal of tie New Zealand Union to allow any variation of tho rules, the local union has decided, by six votea to two_. to play Auckland on Saturday under the modified rules, and take the coiiecquenoee. Some of the speakers denounced tho New Zealand Union aa pig-headed, and said that only the other day it had to fight tojieep it in "Wellington, because it was a discredited body, ilerabere recognised that both they and Auckland might be disqualified, hut they were more concerned about losing 'Athletic Park, as the lease says that Rugby must be played there. By way 3 of precaution, the use of Newtown Park" was secured. The actual resolution passed stated that the Auckland rules would bo "adopted for this game only as an experiment. Later. A further development of the hitch in football matters is that eleven members of the team chosen to Wellington against Auckland havo refused to play under ths amended rules, as dccired by the local Union" From statements made at the Wellington meeting, members were apparently under the belief that the players would support thc-m, so that the action of the men waa not quite expected. The New Zealand Union's committee have not yet further considered the matter, but it is understood tfiat it is determined to adhere to its decision to refuse permission to play the match under the amended rules. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") "WELLINGTON, September 4, Tho troublo that has arisen here about Rugby control is now almost certain to bocome a serious one for the sport in this provinco. Tho Management Committee of "the Wellington Union is determined, in the face of an express prohibition by the New Zealand Union, to play a representative match with tho Auckland team in Wellington on Saturday under a code of rules that are used in Auckland. With a few trifling additions, theso amended rules would convert Rugby into Ae Northern Union- gjimo. Tho New Zealand Union has not considered the question of whether the new rules will make for a better game, but has ruled that, under tho constitution of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, no such amended code may bo played in any representative match. This is, without doubt, a correct interpretation of the constitution. Tho rules of the game may be amended, but there is a constitutional method of doing this, and the method adopted by tho Wellington Union is certainly not that method. The decision of the Union to go on with the game under the new rules, in spite of the express prohibition of the New Zealand Union, was made last night, and tho result of this decision was that the majority of the members of the team' are refusing to play. They fear, no doubt, that they may run the risk of disqualification if they do so. HIGH SCHOOLS' TOURNAMENT, WON BY SOUTHLAND. CHRISTCHURCH BEAT OTAGO. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") I IN VERCARGILL, September 4. I The final round of matches in the inter- | High Schools Rugby tournament were play- | cd to-day in fine weather. Otago met Christchurch in the first game, and both teams played fine, open Rugby. For a timo the play was even, each side attacking in turn. The Christchurch boys first found form, and Dalley lost no chances of setting his backs going. A good passing rush ended by Bowes kicking across to Willoughby, who scored between tho posts, but the kick at goal failed. 3, Otago 0. Otago wok© up and made things lively, Keiha narrowly missing scoring after a Btrong attack led by Marelin and Burton. The Otago backs developed strong attacks which threatened a score, but the defence was very sound. Fine kicking by Dalloy, Carleton, ar.d Graham for Qiristchurch, and Burton, McKay, and Maralin for Otago kept play even, but halftime arrived without further score. On resuming, the play was ..fast and exciting, Otago making a strong attack on the ChristchurcTi' line. Then a fine piece of combined play by White, Dalley, and Carleton let Allen in at the corner. The try was not converted. Christchurch 6, Otago 0. Christchuroh were soon on the attack again, but they were penalised, and play was centred. Following a breakaway by Dickson, White, and Dalley, Willoughby got to the line, but was brouglft down. A fine rush by Carleton, Graham, Bowes, and Allen ended in the latter scoring;" but the kick at goal again failed. Christchurch 9, Otago 0. Carleton repelled an Otago attack by a quick interception, and he passed to Bowes, who made a splendid ■ fifty yards' run, and transferred to Donnelly, who scored. Dalley convortcd. Christchurch 14, Otago 0. Tho Otago backs now came to light, and indulged in some brilliant passing rushes, but the collaring of the defenders was too good to allow of a score. Christchurch returned to tho attack, and Dalley beat the opposition and got across near the corner, no goal resulting. Again' the Christchurch backs got~into action, and a combined rush, in which they all took a hand, lot Allen over, the kick at goal failing. Christchurch. 20, Otago 0. Otago now redoubled their efforts, and hammered for some timo at the Christchurch line, success Enallv crowning their efforts, Burton crossins; the line after some fine concerted play. The kick at goal failod, and tho game ended, after a sensational attack by Dalley and Graham, in a win for Christchurch by 20 points to 3. Tho play in this game went to show how unfortunate it was for Christchurch and Otago that the conditions on Saturday made open, fast play impossible. Tho meeting of the winning teams in the first round, and Southland, was not nearly ao interesting as the first game, tho play being cohfinbd mostly to the forwards, enlivened now and again by eome fine kicking among the backs. Southland ecor<?d a try in the first half, Cleland crossing the line and Johnston converting. In the second spell Burton kicked a goal from a mark 1 far Timaru, and Morgan scored two tries, one of which Johnston converted, for Southland. The result of" this game makes Southland winners of the 1918 inter-High Schools Tournament. . THE LEAGUE GAME. The Canterbury Representative League team, which goes to Auckland next Tuesday, will practico at Sydenham Park to-nisrht, and will play a selected team at St. Albans Park on Saturday. =— I