FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 305, 18 September 1908, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

AMATEUR RIICBY; PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE RULES. WILL NEW ZEALAND "CUT THE PAINTER"? No moro important conference of delegates of unions affiliated to tile New Zealand Rugby Union has ever been convened than tlint which will take placo at Wellington'on October S. Tho meeting is being held in response to a requisition signed by the Otago, Canterbury, and Southland Unions for the purpose of considering the advisablencss of amending the rules of amateur Rugby football with a view to tho improvement of the game. That the Management Committee of tho New Zealand Union are fully alive to the nnportanco of tho gathering is shown by the fact that it has decided that tho expenses of tho delegate from each union shall bo defrayed out of the funds of tho pa: cut body. At tho last annual conference of delegates it was agreed, it will be remembered, that the International Board, which is composed of delegates from tile. English, Scottish, Irish, and \Velsh Unions, should 1)6 asked to amend the rules in the direction of making tho gamo more attractive to players and onlookers alike. Several unions and referees' associations submitted a large number of suggestions to the Management Committeo, which recently forwarded to : the Home authorities thoso which in its opinion wore worthy of adoption. In the'meantime, however, Northern Union football has obtained a fairly strong hold in the Dominion, aud, in somo quarters, fears have arisen that if several drastic alterations to the rules are not made at once there will be numerous additional defections from the ranks of the amateur players.

Tho Otago Union, which is responsible for the proposals which will corae v -up for consideration at tho conference, holds that prompt action is imperatively necessary. It is also clear, from one of its suggestions, that it belioves tho colonial authorities should act on their own initiative from now onwards. The remit in question reads as follows:—"That it be an instruction td tho i\{anagement Committee to forward a copy of the resolutions to the New South Wales and Queensland Rugby Unions with tho view to securing their co-operation in the formation of an Australasian Rugby Union to control tho game under revised rules." Whether a majority of tho unions will bo prepared to support such a drastic proposal remains •to bo seen. It is contended that tho circumstances would hardly justify the colonial authorities in "cutting the 'painter" forthwith without grave consideration. A better course, it is argued, would be to renew the agitation for direct, separate, and immediate representation' for colonial unions on the International Board. If tho request were declined, and tho board did little- or nothing in the direction of improving tho game, the advisableness of seceding would then havo to be determined. That the gamo could be made more attractive is acknowledged on every hand. Opinion is divided, however, as to the best way 'n which this could bo dono. 13y some, it is strongly contended that play should be moro' spectacular; by others, it is just as emphatically urged that, as tho game is essentially a pastime, play must not be too strenuous. It is not a straight-out' question of professionalism v. amateurism. -Another very important proposal for consideration at the conference is that which provides for payment to players for loss of time whilst on representative tours. Under the existing rules no such payment can bo made except under very special circumstances. The tour of tho "All Blacks" in 1905, and the visit of the British' team to tho colonies this year, may be quoted as instances where 1 a small daily l allowance for out-of-pocket expenses i was sanctioned. If the delegates insist upon the adoption of the suggestion,- and the Home authorities demur on the' 'grouiid , 'thaV , t'hei'urd v is : Vepugnant to amateurism, it 'is more than likely that: a colpnial^goveriiing'-bddy ( wi}l ; -be ;; s"e't i; up, • Fol : lowers' of the' game "are aware that crack players aro-usuaily out-of-pocket at the end of a season. Owing to the visit of t-ho British team, this remark is especially applicable to. tho current season, "when several. players who had represented the Dominion, in one'or more matches against the visitors could not afford to leave their work, subsequently, when representative tours were being made, it'is just a question—no 1 matter what decision is arrived at with respect to the" proposal to allow out-of-pocket expenses— whether there should not be longer intervals between representative tours. Tho proposal will, : no doutt, givo rise to a lively debate. A number of the suggestions are similar in' effect to remits which were sent Home by tho Management Committee. Others, again, are on Northern Union lines, and include proposals which wore rejected by the Management Committee when it was revising the list to bo sent Home.

GOVERNMENT INSURANCE V. A.M.P. SOCIETY. 1 . A match between teams representing tho Government Insurance Department and tho A.M.P. Society, took place on tho Athletic Park yesterday afternoon. After a fairly interesting contest tho former won by 12 points to 11 points. For tho winners, Varcoe kicked three'penalty goals, and Mayzo scored a try, which was not' enhanced; and for the losers M'Kay kicked two penalty goals, and Slowman secured a try, jvhicli M'Kay converted. TO-MORROW'S RUGBY MATCHES. Tho following will represent Brooklyn B against St. John's on No. 3, Polo Ground, ,on Saturday nest:—Full-back, E. Mummery; three-quarters, 0. Bongo, 11. Munro, R. Hastings; five-eighths, F. Hodson and A. Wilson; half, 11. D. Newth; wing forward, B. Shaw (captain); forwards, F. Furness, E. Keoble, F. Bates, E. Shaw, R. Stewart, J. Gewlall, T. Coventry. St. John's-will be represented as follows: —llyan, Melody, M'Kay (2), Duske, l'rain, Andrew, Alexander, M'Morran, Menard, Lynch, Bradley, Crawford, May, Stafford, Riggs. ■ In tho match St. John's v. St. Andrew's •on East's No. 7, the former will be represented as follows:—Redgrave, Dyett,. Elliffe, Lovell, M'Crombie, Meegan, Bertinshaw, Noedl, Galloway, Andrew, Orr, Watson, M'Rae, Clements, Vivian. INTER-COLLEGE MATCH. The following will represent tho Wellington and W.inganui colleges in tfio interOld Boy match, which is to bo played as a! curtain-raiser to tho Otago-Wollington representative match to-morrow: — Wangamii.—Tingey, Pownall (2), Davis, Beamish, Hitchings, Herbert, Richardson, Heenan, Chamberlain, Craig, Bunny, Allison, Collier, Bell. ■ Wellington.—Mathews, Goodbehere, Pater--1 son, Dawson,- Picot, Thomson, Gilbert) Avery, Butt, J'acobsen, Froyberg (2), Marchant, Hannah, Drake. Mr. F. Laws will referee. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. (BT TELEGIIAI'K. —SI'ECIAI. COltttF-SPONDEKT.) Christchurcli, September 16 ' At a meeting of delegates from football clubs in Christchurch and the neighbouring districts the following proposals for alteration in the rules of Rugby footba.l! were adopted, to bo submitted to a general meeting of tho Canterbury Rugby Union:—A dropped goal, except from a mark or penalty kick, shall count three points, and all other goals two points. When tho ball is kicked direct into touch a free kick shall bo given to tho opposing side ten yards from where tho ball crosses tho touch-line, and parallel to the goal-lino. Tim ball shall bo thrown out from the touch-line at least five yards; tho kicker in taking his kick from A -mark, penalty, kick-off, or kick at goa.l from a try shall not be charged or interfered with in any way by the opposing side; tho kicker to place the ball himsolf. All players outside tho scruminago shall keep behind the back row of their scrummage while the ball is being scrummaged. The defending side, when kicking out i\t their twenty-five from a force-down, shall kick the ball in a direct lino from the point where the ball crosses the goal-line. Where possible injured players shall bo removed immediately from the field of play. The referee shall placc the-ball in all scrummages.

MonTfirnK rc;£3Ai.c.z; . | , , MEETING AT PETONE. ' i At a meeting held in tho Oddfellows' Hall, \ Petone, on Wednesday evening, the desirable- i ncss of the Northern Union j game, on an amateur basis, in Wellington j was affirmed. "• ... -Mr. 11. ]{. Wright, who ccctipied the chair, said there was no reason why Northern Union football should not be a success hero. • i Grounds could,, he continued, bo obtained, and ! it would appear that there/would be no groat difficulty in securing players. The desire foi an improved form of Rugby'was the strongest reason for introducing the new game. Then again,.,it. was, felt that,,tho, amateur Rugby authorities-.did not : treat players as well as tliev ought to do. What was proposed was that players should receive ou£-of-pocket expenses. ■ He "wits almost sure that four playing grounds in the Wellington district could be secured. Mr. J. Lynskey thought it would be'-.bet-ter not to establish a separate union until it was seen what tho New Zealand Rugby Union intended to do. Mr. H. Palmer, late manager of the professional "All Black" team, asked what guarantee there was that the New Zealand Union was prepared to break away from the Homo Union if improvements to the lawß wore not sanctioned. : AVould the "pros." be reinstated as amateurs' if the rules governing amateur Rugby were amended? 'asked' Mr. 'IV Cross, who was a member of the .professional'team. Mr. D. Eraser, tho secretary, remarked that negotiations wore ill progress to secure several grounds. His opinion was that the promotors of the new gamo should go ahead... Ultimately, the following committed was appointed to confer with supporters in Wellington:—Messrs. D. Eraser, J. Barber, Kelly, Cross, Islierwood, A. House, Cunningham, Tync, M'Gill, and M. 'Adams. • . (BY TET.EGR APH rRESS ASSOCIATION.) New Plymouth, September I' 7. A football match under Northern ' Union rules between professional representatives of Auckland and Taranaki was\played, here today in unfavourable weather before about COO spectators. The game, was fast. and open, but not exciting, Taranaki winning.by live points—a try scored by Hardgravesj-'and a penalty goal by the same player—to:threepoints—a try scored by Tyler.. Now Plymouth, September 17. It is stated that Coleman, ex-New Zealand. representative, will not play ill "the Northern Union game, but intends to -'"ser.v.p; term of disqualification and agiin'. enter.the ranks of the amateurs.. ASSOCIATION >CAME. WELLINGTON v. MASTERTON (ill TELEGEA'rn—PBESS. AS'SOCIATION.) :. Ma3tertoti,: September ; 17i! A senior second division Association, football match-was played on the Showground . at Masterton this afternoon, 1 : between^-tho • Masterton and Wellington ropresentativa teams. The ground was in .fair order,'(but / on tho heavy side. Tho following were'tha te/ims: — - •... • Masterton.—Goalkeeper: J. Elder.' Backs: Lawrence and Smith. Half-backs: Bodle, . Robertson (captain), T. Elder; Forwards: Glen, Holmes, M'Dougall, Shepherd,'-'and .Nixon. ■ • • '' ••if. • Wellington.—Goalkeeper: M'Loari. Backs: " Guise and. AVilson. Half-backs: Holland, Pye-Smith, Hatcher (captain). Forward's: M'Lean, Taylor, Davidson, Macklin, Holland; ' - Masterton'lost tho loss-and played'against a strong, wind. Tho loca.l team immediately set up ail attack, and some clever work, was rendered resultless by the solid ; defence of the Wellington back division.'- Masterton continued to attack, but their shooting "was 1 orratic, and several excellent chances to score were lost. ' Play hovered in tho visitors! t6rritory for some time, and then the Wellington forwards, by good "passing, swept down to tho home team's goal, but Smith'saved the situation with a kick that' removed play to the centre'.' Davidson and , Taylor carried play-back again to the Masterton goal. ' The Masterton 'nien were showing better footwork than Wellington,' and ■play went up* and down- the field for 'somo :time.'..Shortly before the 'close of'.the 1 first spell, Wellington wete awarded ; a free-kick, ~ and Pye-Smith scored a goal. j >"• Masterton opened the second spell by'attacking strongly;' : but their-shooting was - not of the. best; and' good chances tb score were lost. Though Masterton repeatedly stormed' the visitors' goal, the defence of the back .division of. Wellington was equal to tho occasion. Masterton were now having the best of the game and- kept Wellington busily . defending. - Eventually. Wilson, with , a'fine kick',-removed the play to the home j tqam's territory; the Wellington forwards swarmed round the ball, and a score seemed imminent. Honours were, even'for spme ' time, until-'tho' visitors broke away,'and.'before Masterton had realised' what, had hap- - pened, Macklin had shot the' ball between the posts. - From this on to the call of time Masterton made strenuous efforts- to . score, but Wellington's defence was too solid. . TJio whistle sounded time with, the score—Wellington, 2 goals; Masterton, 'nil. /Mr..,.-A. Newson,' of Wellington, was referee." ~. •