FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 11890, 19 May 1903, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION. , Tko weekly meeting of the Committee, held last evening, was attended by Messrs Hutchison, (president), Campbell, Munro, • Pnest, Cameron, HarSmith, an d Dr Hunter. The Millers Flat Club were affiliated to jie Union. It was decided that when matches are : iiyo-d by teams on grounds other than t icir own arrangements must be made by teams to put out and bring in the u ;h-iine flags. Applications from three players for a removal of the disqualifications' resting on them were declined. In one case the application was made by a North Otago player wbo had been suspended upon a complaint ® ma oated from another player, the application being based on the English Union’s opmion recently communicated to the -F.U., that a referee has sole power to report a player, and the Committee’s refusal of the request was actuated by a desire to have a concrete case presented to the supreme football body for a decision as to the validity of the O.R.F.U. by-law. . , e Dunedin Club appealed against the decision of the referee (Mr D. Cameron) in the match Alhambra v Dunedin in awarding a try to the former club wtich they claim should not have been scored, on the ground that the Alhambra player was tackled, and that he dropped the ball before he crossed the line and touched down. The referee reported that the ball did not touch the ground, and on this statement of fact the Committee disallowed the appeal. The Dunedin Club further appealed against the decision of the referee in the same match in not allowing a try on an occasion whea, the dub alleged, a score would have been obtained if the referee had not blown his whistle for an'infringement on the part of the Alhambra Club.— The appeal was dismissed, as the game was stopped upon the whistle being blown. The Alhambra Club protested against die action of the Flag Committee in grading G. Phillips as a senior player.—The action of the Flag Committee was approved. Mr W. Beadle, referee in the match Alhambra Second v Southern Second, reported a player for misconduct.—lt was decided to require the attendance of the plaver in question at the next meeting. Ihe Zingari-Richmond Club were granted the use of the Caledonian Ground for the morning of the 3rd June on the usual terms

It was agreed to point out to clubs that the laws of football provide for fifteen men a side taking part in a game, and that the practice of introducing fresh players in the place of injured players is a contravention of the laws. It was further decided that the referees be instructed accordingly. GROUNDS FOR SATURDAY. First Grade. —Alhambra v. Zingari, Caledonian ; Union v. Southern, Tahuna No. 1; Dunedin v. University, Bishopscourt; Kaikorai v. Pirates, Carisbrook. Second Grade.—Zingari v. Southern, Montecillo; University v. Pirates. Tahuna No. 2; Ravensbourne v. Port Chalmers, Port Chalmers; Green Island v. Union, Ureen Island; Taieri Rovers v. West Taieri, Outram; Peninsula v. Kaikorai, Portobello; Dunedin v*. Alhambra, Opoho. . Third Grade.—Alhambra A v. Alhambra B, Forbury; Dunedin Bv. University, Fortuity ; Southern v. Zingari, Forbury; High School A v. Kaikorai, Asylum; Pirates v. Taieri Rovers, Mosgiel; Union v. Port Chalmers, North Ground; Ravensbourne'v. Dunedin A, Forbury; High School B, a bye. School matches.—Same grounds as arranged for 16th May. OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCLATION. A special general meeting of the above Association was held at the Coffee Palace last evening, there being present- -Messrs J. Wilson (vice-president, in the chair), H Duncan, T. Ashton, C. Martin, M. Chadwick. T. Irvine, W. Morrison, J. D. C'ark, P. Braithwaite (bon. secretary), and the following delegates:—Messrs J. M‘Millan, S. N. Brown, W. A. Young, W. G. Smith, W. P. Miller. J. Hamann, R. E. David•■on, and J. Bannerman. The inaugurating of an insurance fund wiis discussed, but the matter was left over until the next annual meeting ot the 0.F.A., in order that the various clubs could discuss it.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr J, D. Clark, seconded by Mr' Braithwaite, that two rounds of second grade n>at<hes be played instead of one round, as at present provided for in the rules. The usual weekly meeting of the Committee was held sub eqnentfy, there being present—Messrs Wilson (in the chair), Martin, Irvine, Chadwick, Clark, Ashton, Morrison, Duncan, and Braithwaite (hon. secretary).

It was decided that a player in the match Mornington Third v. Wakari Third, reported by a referee for misconduct, be suspended for the remainder of the round. Messrs Wilson, Morrison, and the :ecretary were elected as a sub-committee f'r the purpose of classification transfers.

It -was decided that the second grade match Southern v. Wakari be played at Musselburgh instead of on the Clear; that the three matches for the college team, owing to vacation, be played later in the season; and that the competition of the Wednesday teams commence on the 20th iiK-d.