“ONE-EYED" BARRACKING

Evening Star, Issue 18034, 31 July 1922, Page 3

“ONE-EYED" BARRACKING

EXAMPLES AT CARISBROOK. BILL AND ’EBB ON THE (REFEREE. [By Blub Peteh.] Ho was a thin young man with cigarette lips and laclc-histvo eyes, and obviously not built to play football. Ho wore a hard bat tilted to ono side, andi spoke scornfully of the “ gon’leman players,” meaning the University team. Ilia mate was of sturdier build, but equally contemptuous of ‘‘the etoodcnts.” And ho spat fluently. Both sat on the seat which ran around the Garish-rook Ground, and both had come -there firmly convinced that “ Kaikorai wasn’t gain’ ter get a fair go from M'Kcnzio.” “’E aint got any principle,” said he of the hatchet face, who was named Herbert and called ’Erb, “or else o’d Vive pulled out after wot they said about ’im in the papers.”

So the unfortunate referee got it hot all itho afternoon. He was -given credit for nothing. If Kaikorai were awarded a free lack the remark was “’Bout time,” .or “’E’s wakin! 1 up”: but if ’Varsity got Ilia penalty it was “ Well, wot did yer expect; Kaikorai was gottin’ too close,” or “I’ll bet Kaikorai wouldn’t win -a, match with -that bloko refereein’.” And the final comment was generally : “ Ought -ter plant ’im ono under the jaw.” Tho game during the first spell waseven, if not brilliant, and there certainly wasn't very much to arouse enthusiasm. “Blime,” says ho of the rugged countenance (Christian name Bill), “ the people ’ore clap -ier anythin’—anythin’ University does, that is,” ho adds, recollecting himself. “ Why, if they was ter sec tho Kangaroos playin’ League football they’d be flabbergasted.” A solid Kaikorai rush along the stand wing aroused ’Erb. Cabot, the battling Blue forward, went down. “ Put the boot in while yer got ’im down,” he shouted, but subsided a little when remonstrated with by a quiet man behind him. Away again went the ’Varsity, aided by a free kick .for off-side, eo obviously earned that nobody possessing more than ono eyo could possibly dispute it. But Bill and 'Erb wouldn’t admit the referee was right even in this. “ It’s open ter doubt,” says Bill grudgingly, and ’Erb chants tho familiar “ Wot can yer expect from ’ini; ought ter plant ’im one.” Just hero George Owles, the Karkora-i’s energetic wing, gets the ball; he sprints, but, as usual, falls among the enemy and loses it. Bill searches his mind for an excuse. “The sun’s in ’is eyes,” ho murmurs. A minute or two later Owles gets the ball again, and punts well up the field, “Good 0, George,” shouts ’Erb, boer for you after, old ’orse.” But Sinclair takes the ball and -sends it bade, and' the crowd claps. "’Struth,” ysays ’Erb, “ a one-legged boy could ’ave kicked there, nobody was near ’im.” When Kaikorai scored a goal from a mark Bill and ’Erb rose, waved their hats, and hoorayed in tino stylo—and said nothing about tho referee. They made up for it later, howover, when ’Varsity scored a nice try. “Did yer see it?” asks Bill excitedly, “tho blinkin’ -referee puis up both his lands when tho University _ acores, ’os pleased with ’imself. To which ’Erb replies s “ Ar, wot can yer expect from ’im t ” In the second spell it was the ea-me. No mention of tho sun in the ’Varsity s eyes. Presently a Kaikorai man prolesting to APKenzie about something. “Look,” said a bystander, “bo’s arguing with the referee.” “Ar,” snarls Erb, “’e shouldn’t argue; ’c should plant im one under the jaw. Why, up north they git ter the referee after the match good if ’e don’t act fair.” A nice run and a score by Harfcy was cheered. “Bah,” spits Erb, gimme a clear run an’ a couple of footballs, an I could score a try like that any time. He didn’t look it, oven under the conditions stated. Kaikorai were making desperate attempts. A sudden rush,'and the referee was involved in the scramble. “Did yon see that?” asks Bill appealingly, “the bloomin’ refer go got in tho road , it would ’ave been a try.” . u “ ’Varsity seem to bo pretty fresh still,commented a roan near by. Bill scowled. “ They ought ter be,” says he, “ the Kaikorai fellers 1 ’as ter work all the week.”

And so it went on. University are ahead ; they get a, free kick. “ I’ll guarantee,” savs Bill bitterly, “that they’ve ’ad about oCO free kicks.” (Exaggeration is the soul of wit- with Bill). “Why,” lie ad-do, “up north they wouldnt let a bloke like that come on the field.” “Quite right,” said the quiet man at the back, and Bill looks at him approvingly until ho added ; “ You mean the chap who just tripped l ea. ” Then Bill scowled and spat. “ Ought ter plant im one under the jaw,” mutters Erb, meaning perhaps • the referee, perhaps the quiet man.

Tbo final try of Stewart’s was a ‘beauty. He got clear .way, and no Kaikorai man had a hope. The'crowd cheered. “Bah,’’ says Bill, “anyone could a’ done that; there was no one tsr .stop ’im.”

Then the hell went, and wo leave Erb complaining of the timidity of the Otago barrackers in the matter of planting the referee one under the jaw. Kaikorai supporters, though keenly disappointed with the result of'the match, were not all like Bill and Erb, who are the kind that go forth spreading false ideas about the rulings of the referees and the tactics of the opposing team. As a matter of fact, George MTfenzie refereed a difficult match in a manner that is deserving of high praise, as every fair-minded spectator will agree.