A FOOTBALL RULING.

Evening Star, Volume 12869, Issue 12869, 19 July 1906, Page 7

A FOOTBALL RULING.

TO THE BDITOH Sir,—While watching the Dunedin v. Ravensbourne football match on Saturday last I was greatly surprised at the rulins of the referee on a, certain point. A Dunedin player deliberately kicked the ball over iu's own touch-line. A Ravensbourne player followed up and touched down, which to my mind was a fair try. However, before the Ravensbourne player had reached the ball the referee had sounded his whistle, and eventually ordered a scram syds from the touchline. Wherever he got this rule from I do not know. I see by the report of the 0.R.F.1T. that the Ravensbourne Club rightly appealed against the decision, but their appeal was dismissed by the Union .on the ground that the referee having sounded his whistle play was stopped. Others besides myself think the referees get too much protection from the Rugby Union. When a mistake like this, which probably cost Ravensbourne the match and put them out of the running for the premiership, is snMtered up in this way it is most unjust and discourarr.ng to footballers in general, l'urther, I tfrnk the Hag Com'tiittee could have selected a better ground than Opoho so important a fixture in junior football. The above facts tend to make young payers discouraged, and they leave the game in disgust just.when they have gained <*nou?h experience to enter in senior football. If the O.R.F.U. do not improve matters our winter sport must go back.—l am, etc., I Fair Plat. July 17.