SANSON v. AWAHOU FOOTBALL MATCH.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 276, 27 May 1907, Page 2

SANSON v. AWAHOU FOOTBALL MATCH.

TO TBM IDITOB Sir, — I would crave for a little space to insert the following- While in Sanson on Saturday.. I witnessed the gHhie between Sanson and Awahou, and was very sorry to see that the referee lost control of the same .from the kick off. . What should have b«&n an interesting game, lost its interest through glaring mistakes on the part of the referee. While in sympathy with referees, on account of the responsible and unenvious position they occupy, I lost what sympathy I would nave felt for Mr Robinson while the game was in pro-' cress through the following:— ln the first place, Sanson was continually penalised through, off side play, which was correct, but the referee whistle must hate been full of dirt when the visitors played off side, as. was often the case, and it was a rare thing to hear the whistle in favour of Sanson. I should like to ask if it is the rule, when a full-back follows his kick and smothers the opposing player, to have a free kick given against him for. off side play. Also, when a player takes a mark clear of any scramble and both teams stop, expecting it to be given, that the whistle should fail to act. That the try scored by Hartley was fair I have not the shadow of a doubt, as the ball was passed back fully two yards and taken cleanly by him and then carried over. It is this sort of thing that caused the unseemly barrack on the line which occurred on Saturday, and I should advise the Foxton Sab-Union, if they wish to be a success, to act at once and appoint referees whtr understand the rules of the game, otherwise their Gup fixtures will be but a repetition <A Saturday. I cannot understand how the same referee gave both sides such satisfaction in the match, Rongotea v. Sanson, and failed on Saturday. Hoping that the Union will take action at once to appoint referee* that understand the rules, even if they have to pay for same, it iwould be' a source of satisfaction to all teams. — : Yours, LOVER OF BPORT. May 37, 1907.