THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 807, 3 May 1910, Page 7

THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD.

MORE CHANGES.IN THE LAWS. According to the "Sportsman," tho following business was dealt with at a meeting of the International Board in (Edinburgh on March 19:— Tho board decided that it was deiir•eble _ when neutral touch-judges were (appointed that they should report cases oi loul or unfair play as soon as possible to the referee.

The by-laws of tho board, as, well cs the rules of the game, came under consideration, and certain alterations were approved. ■ These will be issued shortly. .Xfle K.lf. representation, on the board was reduced irom six members to four -members. ' - ■ • •

1 he 1 question qf projections on boots was discussed, and the following' resolu'. tar adopted: "That in the opinion of the board many of tho studs or spikes at present worn by players. oro illegal and dangerous,-and-that th? question'be rolorred to a slib-coinmittee to fix a limit is to the size aud shape of such projections."- • ■ .

- With regard to the "loose head" in for-ward-play, the-meeting thought that the penalty code. Sub-section L (a penalty may be given for wilfully preventing the ball being fairly put into a scrummage), wns .quite sufficient, and that fresh led'lotion was not needed. Discussing the proposals, the Rugby jTiterof the "Sportsman" says:—"The . International Board dealt with the suggestions and proposed alterations from' Australia and Hew Zealand for quickening the game, and certain ■of those, I understand, have been incorporated in the rules in a very modified form, and'will be issued shortly. ' There nre no drastic alterations—at least, not as far as I could learn. The board have also appointed a subcommittee to deal with the question of illegal studs on boob. Tho I'ootball Association have a useful. rule on this point which will bear quoting. It is as tollows:— A player shall not wear any nails, except such as have their heaus driven in. flush with the leather, or metal plates or projections, or guttapercha, en his boots, or on his shinguards. ,If bars or studs on tho soles or heels of tho boots arc used they shall not project-more than half an inch, and shall hayo all their fastenings driven in flush with the leather. Bars shall be transverse and flat, not less than half an inch in width, and shall extend from side to: side of the boots. Studs shall be round in plan, not less than half an inch in diameter, and in no case conical or pointed. Any player discovered infringing'this law shall be prohibited from taking further part in the match. The leferee shall, it required, examine tho (players boots before the commencement of a match. Addendum.—The wearing of soft indiarubber on the soles of boots it not a violation of this law.' The head" in forward play also came •under discussion. Tho board decided that referees can deal with this obnoxious feature under tho penalty code, Section IL,iwhich.reads that a free-kick may bo [awarded for wilfully preventing tho ball ibeing fairly put into the scrummage, and that there was no need for other legislation. Neutral touch-judges are empowered to report cases of foul and unfair play to the referee.. This instruction loses something by the fact that neutral touch-judges, are something of a rarity. (The contention of tho Scottish Union (that, the Rugby Union was over-repre-sented on the board was upheld to tho •extent that the English representation in luture will be four members instead of JBX."

"JTTNIOB, WEDNESDAY." A meeting was held in the Butchers' Umon office, Beehive Chambers, last night for the purpose of forming a junior grade for the Wednesday Kugby competitions. _There was an encouraging attendance of members of various clubs. Mr J J. O'Sullivan presided, and his stated ment of the position was supported by Mr. A. H. Cooper. After discussion it was decided that junior teams of the Star and Butchers' Clubs should have a practice game at Newtown Park to-mor-row afternoon. Those present were asked to canvass amongst their acquaintances with a view to the formation of at least .two more teams for the competition. The chairman received a hearty vote of thanks.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL AT HOME. By TolesrraDii—Press Association—Convriehl

London, May 1. In the Association, football championehip9 Aston Villa (53 points) -and Liverpool (4S) lead the League lists. Cheleea and Bolt-on Wanderere havo been reloftated. to the second division, Manchester City (54 points) and Oldham Athletic (53) replacing them.