RUGBY FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 144, 20 June 1928, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

* WELLINGTON UNION ' SENIOR A COMPETITION: The Wellington Rugby Unions-Manage- v meut Committee met. last evening, Mr. ( .J. Prendeville presiding. In view, of the fact that there will not bey sufficient time to enable nine rounds to be played, consideration was given to the question of the fairest method of de-' ciding the senior A - championship competition. After a number of suggestions, had been discussed, it was decided to redraw the fixtures for the matches ahead, and, if necessary, shuffle the draw to give teams with a chance of winning "■ every opportunity to do. so. ■''.•' Permission was given for the playing of the annual match between the first fifteens representing .Wellington and St. Patrick's Cpllpges on 25th July. The ground for tile fixture'is toybe selected later. Mr. H. D. Morgan was appointed manager of the Wellington representative team to play Taranald at Hawera on 4th July. The application of F. J. Renner for a transfer from the Berhampore ■ Club to Upper Hutt was granted.. TIMING OF A MATCH.' Some dissatisfaction waß expressed in a letter received from the Wellington Club in connection with! the'timing of the match at" Athletic--Park -last Saturday- between 'Eastbourne arid-Wellington; 'The -letter stated 'that1, the'.'first'spell of the.game lasted 40 minutes, and that it occasioned some surprise when the'final whistle was blown after the second spell had been in progress for less than 35 minutes. "The rules of" the game provide that a match shall be played in equal spells," continued the letter, "and we submit that the first spell having been of '40 minutes' duration,.the referee had no power to curtail the- second spell;,: except perhaps in circumstances..;under; which .it could not reasonably proceed, for the full time. But these-circumstances did.not exist' in this case..... ■•■ ■ ,^ _ , "I, wish to emphasise that this club does not wish to make any appeal against the result of the match, but we feel that steps should be taken to ensure in future that the early, matches at Athletic Park are timed in strict accordance with the rules." . , ■. ■- , - ' i -: The secretary:,(Mr, A. E.'.Neilson),poiht- ( cd' out that the'reason short time Was' played- in the second spell was largely the fault of the Wellington, players, who were late in taking the field for the commencement of the match. Several members stated that there was' no doubt that the match ended .'early ' y In view of the fact that the Wellington players had a chance of.winning, said Mr. H. Murphy,.they naturally would be annoyed .«'"..' On the motion of Mr. Murphy, seconded, by Mr. A. J. Griffiths, it was decided to refer .the ' letter to the referee' concerned.'..- .'■-.- ' • NEXT WEEK'S GAMES. The senior fixtures for Saturday week are as follow:— Senior A. ' " Oriental v. University, at Athletic Park. Pqneke v..Petone, at Petone. Athletic v. Eastbourne, at Prince of Wales Park. Marist v. Berhampore, at Newtown Park. . - > Old Boys v. Wellington, at. Wakefield Park. ' __. ..... Senior B. Hutt v. Selwyn. at Hutt ■ ■ ; Ponrua v. Wellington, at Porirua.' ' Johnsonville y T.raining. College, ,! at Jonnsonville. ..-.?'' .. Oriental v., University, at Kelburn Park.