PAYNE TROPHY MATCH

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20957, 11 September 1933, Page 7

PAYNE TROPHY MATCH

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —I have been watching recent developments over the allegations of rough play in the recent Payne Trophy match. I have read both unions' reports in your paper. The time is now opportune to'give some views and facts on this match as I saw it. The game was a disgrace as far as football is concerned. One expected to see some good football, especially when two provincial season's winners met. Unfortunately the game developed the other way. Sydenham's exhibition of dirt was very evident—particularly after University scored their first try—three minutes after the match started. From then on it was quite evident that Sydenham's intentions were to dump hard the opposing players, and thus put them out of action, so long as they could hold on to that trophy. This aspect was plainly discernible to others viewing the match from the bank. I read, with amazement, the report of the referee. For a senior referee to acknowledge his inability to deal properly with rough tactics is indeed pitiful reading. He showed weakness unbecoming to his position. Some of his remarks in the report require criticising. Dunne's injury came from a deliberate kick by an opposing player after Dunne had landed on the ground from a tackle by another opposing player. Dunne landed in a sitting position (tackier still holding). The player who did the injury was some few feet away. He could have missed Dunne, but rushed in and the injury was done. The kick was plainly seen from the bank. The kick landed near the right hip bone on Dunne (The incident happened close on the side-line, western side of the ground, near the twenty-five yards line, in Otago's territory). Onlookers immediately named this player and told him to play the game or go off. The referee could not see this incident, as his view was obstructed by a bunch of players in front of him when he came up. The referee may have seen Dunne come to the ground but the other incident he could not see. Later on (near the middle of the ground) a Sydenham player (Canterbury representative) was warned. I would like to ask the referee what he awarded a "free" kick to University for practically under their opponent's goal? Was it not for a Sydenham player punching a University player full in the face. If this sort of football is what develops from holding trophies, etc., and actions of weak referees, then the quicker all trophies are disposed of, and weak referees stopped from officiating, the better it will be for our national game.—Yours, etc., A LOVER OF CLEAN GAMES.