FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 19642, 23 August 1927, Page 4

FOOTBALL

RUGBY O.R.F.U. COMMITTEE The weekly meeting of the Management. Committee of the Otago Rugby Union was held last night, Mr I). M. Stuart (president) in the chair. JUNIOII MATCHES. On behalf of the Flag Committee Mr Styeho reported that it was considered junior matches should not be played nest Saturday, which was Charity Saturday. There were three Saturdays available in September to linish the junior grades, though that number would not bo required lor them all. It was decided not to play junior matches on Saturday. It was decided to send the third grade Pirates A team to Balelutha on Saturday to play a junior South Otago team. TECHNICAL BREACH ONLY. Tito Secretary of the Dunedin Club wrote in regard to complaints made that it played men in the third grade team who were not graded as third grade players. In regard to the Zingari match it was stated that all of the Dunedin players were graded. In regard to the High School match the winter said he wished to repudiate any suggestion that the club had intentionally'violated the union rules. Twelve of'the players were graded as third grade players. Two players who had previously been graded in the senior and junior grades had played in only one game .for those teams, and they were then relegated to the third grade. In 1926 they were fourth grade players. The other man had played one game previously in the third grade team and would have been regraded had tli© secretary been aware of the necessity for such. Mr Harris said ho thought the Dunedin players had not committed an intentional breach, but bad been under n misunderstanding. The chib had committed a breach, but it was only a technical broach. . The Chairman said the Dunedin Club bad admitted committing ft technical breach. Mr Spcdding said no harm bad been done, as the players concerned had been subsequently graded in third grade. It was pointed out that at the date of the Zingari match the Dunedin players were' all graded as third grade players. It was decided to send a ropy of the Dunedin Club's letter to the'Zingari Club. An appeal from the High School team was not allowed on the ground that it had not been lodged within ten days after the match, as was required by the union’s rules. An amendment by Mr Holden that the match High School v. Dunedin be declared void was lost, and it was decided to send a copy of the .Dunedin Club’s letter to the High School Club and inform it that, while the Dunedin Club committed a technical breach, the committee did not consider it had done so intentionally, and had decided to take no further action. TRIAL MATCH SELECTOR. Mr J. Mitchell was appointed lo act. with the North Otago and Southland selectors in picking the North Otago-Otago-Southland team to play Canter-bury-South Cantcrhury-Ashburton in the trial match at Dunedin on September 24 in connection with the selection of the New Zealand team for South Africa. ’ VARSITY MATCH. It was decided to play tlie Otago University-Canterbury College match on Wednesday at Tahumi I’ark. Mr 11. Torrance will referee the game. JUNIOR REP. GAME. The Canterbury Union wrote confirming September 17 as the date of the Otago juniors v. Canterbury senior B match at Christchurch. CATE TAKINGS. The Secretary reported that the takings at Carisbrook on Saturday were £179 11s. The taking at the match Otago v. Maoris last Wednesday were £l3O Is 6d. SELECTION OE REFEREES. Mr IV. Rcnnick said the local referees had endeavored at the last New Zealand conference to have a motion passed to the effect that referees for interprovincial matches should he appointed by the local Appointment Boards instead of by the managers of visitinc teams from a list supplied to them. That motion had been defeated, but it was suggested that, when the Otago team went north, its managers should ask the local appointment boards, which had a better knowledge of the capabilities of their own men, to appoint the referees. Dr Evans: It all depends op the capabilities of the appointment boards. Mr Rcnnick said ho took it the men on the boards were there in the interests of the game. Mr Mitchell said the matter opened up a big question. He thought the visiting learn should be consulted. Dir Rcnnick pointed out that a remark had been heard at a dinner accorded ft visiting team recently that the referee had been chosen bet ore the touring side had left its home town. Mr Harris said that if Mr Kenniek’s proposal were adopted too much would bo taken, out of the hands of tiro unions. It would bo a retrograde step. Mr M'Donald said it was ridiculous when nine or ten names were submitted to the visiting team, as bad been done in a recent instance. Mr Spedding said that the Appointment Board had been asked to submit the names of senior referees who were capable of controlling the game. Mr Harris: “I take it that when the names of the referees are handed to the visiting team wo tacitly agree to accept any of the men suggested. “ Would Otago agree if a rclcroo outside the ten selected woic chosen bv the visiting side?” asked Air I’enniek. He added that a certain amount of “touting” bad gone on outside Dunedin. Tito Chairman; Me can deal with these things when they come along. I think it would he better to let things ( ro as thov are. ° Mr McDonald: It is a courtesy to the visitors. , r The matter was not further discussed. REFEREES APPOINTED The following referees and line umpires have been appointed for forthcoming matches: — Junior Representative Match, Otago v. Eastern Districts.—Referee, Air IS. Oliver; line umpires, Alcssrs A. Morgan and F. Clarkson. , Ainge Shield Match, Kaikorar v. University.—Referee, Mr R Matson; line umpires, Alcssrs J. Higginson and W. A. Jenkins. University v Canterbury College.— Referee, Air E. Torrance. REPRESENTATIVE PRACTICE Players who were selected tor training other than those taking .part in the Ainge Shield match arc requested to meet at Carisbrook to-night and on Thursday at 7.30.