CONTEMPORARIES' OPINIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 25, 13 August 1889, Page 2

CONTEMPORARIES' OPINIONS.

The Maiawata. Times report saysi-l

.Gregory made a beautiful run across the field, and though the ball was dead before he secured it no notice was taken of the occurrence by the referee. Strachan getting hold of the ball, threw it forward to Parr, who secured a try which was converted into a goal by a kick from Robinson. On account of this breach of the rule by the Feilding team, and the referee refusing to call the ball back, the Palmerston men left the field in a body. A meeting was held at Hastie's Hotel, at which it was decided not to remain and partake of the hospitality of their opponents.' An appeal will be made to the Manawatu Rugby Union fo settle the matter. If iustice is given to both sides the team will be ordered to play the match over again on the same ground, when it is to be hoped an unbiased person will be obtained to fulfil the very unpleasant position of referee. The Manawatu Standard says :—Presently, from a line-out, Strahan got the ball and passed to Parr, who made a good run for it, but as soon as the ball was passed to Pair an appeal was made at once, as the ball was passed forward, several Palmerston players who could have grassed Parr stopped dead, as the fault of the pass was so apparent; Umpire Randall's flag was up and the referee if he did not actually blow his whistle, he had it in his mouth, thereby clearly showing that he favored the appealers. Parr was allowed to proceed on his course unmolested by those who could have collared him easily enough, and he touched down behind the goal. The referee gave this as a try to Feilding, and his decision- being so partial (a noticeable. feature throughout the game) the reds were so incensed that they ; walked off the ground r "a discourteous thing to do at any time, and unwarranted on Saturday under the circumstances. The Palmerston players were scarcely justified in treating Feilding in the manner they did, as the faulty decision of the referee could not be helped by the team, who played a Stirling good game throughout. I have no wish to accuse the referee of partiality, but I must say he appeared "very excited and consequently lost his head when he required it. Much regret is expressed by everybody interested at the unfortunate turn the game took, it ■would have been more satisfactory to all had the game been decided one way or the other. I understand the cup will be handed over to the Union to deal with. The Advocate says :— Strachan getting the ball cleverly passed to Parr, who made a splendid ran in and obtained a try immediately behind the visitors' goal, from ■which a goal was kicked by Robinson. The Palmerston umpire gave it as a throw on, but the Feilding umpire and the referee both decided it was a fair pass. On the decision being given tie Palmerston men refused to finish the match although there were 20 minutes more to play. It is a pity the Palmerston men showed such poor spirit and bad taste as to dispute the decision of the referee as they could have allowed the match to proceed and allowed the ball to be kicked under protest. There was no doubt as to the pass being a fair one.