NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 141, 17 June 1922, Page 12

NOTES.

When this referee of the WellingtonMaori match, Mr. A. C. Kitto, was pushing his way through the crowd to get to the referees' room at the end! of the game, lie was subjected to eomo abuse, the remarks of one individual being quite uncalled: for. Whether tho gam© iscontrolled to the spectators' lilting or not, the referee does the job to tiie beat of ■Hs ability. It is honorary work, and the referee deserves something better- than,abuse. Any grievances can be ventilated in the1 proper place, which is not as the referee is retiring from the ground. Mr. Kitto was overheard to invite one of his abusive critics to join the Referees' Association. That body is in need of more members, but it is not encouraged in its work by abuse.

Ma\ E. (Ned) Perry, coach of the 'Varsity team, has, received telegrams from Nelson, asking him to go across and prepare the Nelson team for the Sedidon Shield contest, with M-ari'borough (holdsers). He has not yet given a definite reply. Last season Ml. Perry coached the Maa'lborough team.

A correspondent. ("True Sport") wtrrtss to The Post expressing dissatisfaction at the inaction of the Rugby Union and referees in putting down "vicious, brutal, and unsportsmanlike play, such as can be seen from the bank at Athletic Park nearly every Saturday?" Although there have been instauces of rough play this season, the correspondent, who states that he has beten a follower of Rugby all his life, both as a player and a spectator, has apparently exaggerated them. The Rugby Union has already expressed its views on the matter of putting down- rough play, and the referees can be depended upon to* take action when necessary. Ths correspondent makes a suggestion that, as it is impossible .for the -referee to see all of fchie many pietees of rough play daring- a game, the Rugby Union should depute some of its members to watch, from different places for such abuses.

It is evident that some of the backs playing at present will have to revise their ideas of kicking under the new rule (states: an exchange). Long kicking straight down the field is called/in, and some attempt must be made at placing the kicks. There is a great opening for cross-kicking and high punting under tho new conditions.

Wairarapa were a little unlucky to lose their match with Hawkes Bay, according to "Rugbyite" (Tribune), and their defeat must be attributed to the poor scoring abilities of their backs, who very seldom ran straight on the attack. Their forwards did splendid work, and had a good deal the best of the argument on the line-out and in tha loose rushes, though in the second half, Hawkes Bay had rather more of the ball from tha 'sciiim. Donald played a great gams for the Greens, and was easily the best forward on the ground.. His knowledge of the game was invaluable to his side, and he made a very good skipper. At the same'time, he was fortunate in running across a referee so lenient'with off-side play. Desmond wasi the pick of the other forwards, and kept close to the ball throughout.

The best back in the Hawkes BayWairarapa match, was said to be J. Blake, the Maori representative.

"The amended rules are going to change the prospects of teams entirely," says a Wanganui Rugby football writer. "No team, with an average of 13 stone in the scram, can be certain of winning a game against a lighter team, if that team is well-trained, and in good condition." Of course not (comments the Christchurch Sun). An untrained-team wins but seldom. There is no merit in talking truisms.

The senior competition, in Auckland is now at an interesting stage, and further matches promise to make the position still more interesting before the first round is completed. Ponsonby, Grammar Old Boys, and College Rifles are equal, with 10 championship points each, Marist Brothers are next with 8, and Grafton and University equal with 6 points. The issue is open, and it is difficult at this sfage to decide the winners {states the Hciald). The- leading teams have played jjood football, and justified their positions, while University,' without the' element of good fortune, has the distinction of giving the best all-round exposition of the game in this season's competitions. Taranaki representatives have played their first match, and to say the least, the result has proved frankly disappointing (states a Taranaki paper). Without wishing to detract from the merits of Wanganui's victory, because they were, as: the score indicates,- easily tho better team, it must be conceded that Taranaki did -not play nearly so well as was expected. Their forwards, while holding their own in the line-out, did not put anything like the ginger into their work that was expected, and-that they should be capable of, but they were also beaten in the scrums, of which, fortunately, there, were comparatively fo_w: It was, however, in the rear division that Taranaki failed so badly. The backs had been selected with a view to combination, but they had little chance to show that combination, as they seldom got the ball from the scrum, and when they did, Brown got the ball away badly, being worried by the opposing pack, and particularly Bellis.

A Wanganui comment on ■ the Taran-aki-Wanganui match, stated*:—'.'Everyone had to admit that the better team won, but we must on no account exaggerate the victory, well deserved though it was. The Taranaki team arrived just before noon, having come overland by motor, the journey occupying a little oyev four houvs. To sit in a cramped position for such a long time, obviously affected the travellers, whilst another important factor in Wanganui's favour, was the absence from Taranaki's last hne of defence, of Kingston, who, as full-back in the Test matches against the Springboks, ■ proved himself to be almost the equal of Morkel of interna-' tional fame. . In fairness to Taranaki,' these facts_must not be lost sight of." • The Christchurch senior championship table is as follows :—Merivale, 6; Marists, 6; Linwood, s£;' Christchurch,. 3i; Sydenham-Lyfctelton, 3; Old Boys, 2; ;Varsity, 2; Albion, 0.- For Dunedin tho position is :—Kjiik'orai, 12 ; Uni-. versity A, 10; Pirates, 10; Ziugari-' Richnkmd, 10; University B, 8: Southera, 6; Alhambra, 4; 'Taievilloyorc, 4; Dunedin, 4; ■ Port' Chalmers; 0; Union, 0. The University A and B teams.'have played, five .matches,. Kaikorai aud Zbgari-'Richimmd bdvcii, and Pirate* six,