RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25245, 25 July 1947, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPLY TO CRITICISM OF REFEREEING

DISCUSSION OF STATEMENT BY MR J. N. CLARKE

(P.A.) INVERCARGILL. July 24. What was described as unwarranted criticism of Southland refereeing by a member of the Canterbury Rugby Union was discussed by the Southland Rugby Referees’ Association at a meeting tonight. The following resolution was adopted:— “The Southland Rugby Referees’ Association takes strong exception to the reported remarks of Mr J. N. Clarke, a member of the Canterbury Rugby Union, and in particular to a statement that after the experiences of Otago in South-, land in recent years, it was no wonder, from all accounts, that Otago was asking for outside referees. It appears from the foregoing that Mr Clarke’s allegations are based on hearsay, and this association invites him to substantiate the same by citing specific instances of faulty decisions or bias, justifying such an unwarranted outburst.”

ST. BEDE’S BEATS ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE

From Our Own Reporter OAMARU, July 24. The annual Rugby match between St. Bede’s College and St. Kevin’s College at Redcastle this afternoon was not up to secondary school standard, back play on both sides being ragged. St. Bede's won by 12 points to 8, and the score accurately represented the merits of the two teams.

The forwards were evenly matched and both sides had a fair share of the ball. A feature of the game was the solid tackling of both sides. The line kicking, too, was generally good, but faulty handling by both sides lost likely opportunities on the attack.

The first spell was very even territorially, but the Christchurch boys, if anything, were slightly the better. The score at half-time was 6-3 in favour of St. Bede’s. This comprised a penalty goal kicked by D. Kelleher and a try by D. Craig, which was not converted, to St. Kevin’s penalty goal, kicked by W. Hill.

St. Kevin’s started the second half with a spectacular forward rush. The defence held, however, and play returned to the twenty-five. After a scrum Boyle capped off a passing rush with a well-deserved try, which Hill converted to give the home team a lead of 8 points to 6. St. Bede’s rallied strongly, and the backs made repeated efforts, to function as a line, and at last S. Matanitobua, Fijian right winger, got his only run of the match, which he completed with a good try and restored the lead to St. Bede’s. After a spell of willing play, D. Craig scored again for St. Bede’s, making the score 12-8. LINWOOD CLUB Bst 71b v. North Canterbury, at Rangiora at 2.30. 6st 71b v. North Cant., at Rangiora, at 2.30. Bus leaves Club Rooms, Manchester street, at 1 p.m. Please Roll Up early. Advt.

RUGBY LEAGUE

INTERNATIONAL TOURS PROGRAMME BEING DRAWN UP (P.A.) ‘ AUCKLAND. July 24. The Australian Rugby League is drawing up a programme of international tours, and will submit it to the New Zealand League soon. It is also understood that the Queensland and New South Wales Rugby League bodies are interested in sending teams to New Zealand. “We are very interested in the proposals and are hopeful that we may be able to arrange a conference between New Zealand and Australian representatives after the return of the New Zealand touring team from abroad,” said the president of the New Zealand Rugby League (Mr J. A. Redwood).