LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1928, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

WEST COAST CENTRE. Mr J. D. Wingham presided over last- evening’s meeting of the West Coast Rugby League Centre. There were also present, Messrs W. S. Clarke, C. Hall, L. Jackson, Myers, P. Betts, A. Fielding, S. Thomas, L. Patterson, E. Kiely, M. Buckley, C. Fraser, L. Hunter, G. Walters, and the secretary, W. Larcombe. A letter from the Otago Rugby Football League was read, advising that the sum of £3 15s was due to H. C. Gore, of Dunedin, being balance owing on the photos of last year’s representative team to’ Dunedin. —It was decided that the delegates interview *the representative players in their clubs who made the trip, and ascertain from them the separate amounts they had each paid to the Manager towards the cost of the photos, and bring the information clown to the next meeting of the Centre. The photos have not yet been received by any of the players. Mr Walters asked the Chairman whether a referee was entitled to sit on the Centre as a delegate to a Club, and still remain a referee. Mr Betts asked if a Vice-President was entitled to vote on any motion arising in the Centre. Mr Fielding (referee and delegate to the Centre for the Grey Club) advised the Chairman that he would be making his last appearance as a delegate to the Centre, for the Grey Club.

A lengthy discussion arose as to the status of both referees and vice-presi-dents on the Centre. In the matter of the referee, it was decided to instruct the Secretary to ascertain the position, and report at the next meeting.

The Chairman ruled that an active vice-president was entitled to vote, the ruling being brought in at the last annual meeting. A letter was read by the Secretary, which he had forwarded to the selectors of the senior representatives, advising them that the reps, would be required by the Centre to be selected after the games on June 4, and asking them to select fifteen players. The N.Z. Council wrote, advising the itinerary of the English League touring team, and asking that arrangements be made in preparation for the forthcoming match against the West Coast. —It was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the President and Secretary.

The Secretary was instructed to advise the N.Z. Council that the West Coast favoured the playing of the second test in Christchurch. A copy of the rules re the reinstatement of players, additional rules, alterations and additions to present rules was received from the New Zealand’ Council.

A letter from Nelson Creek asking for neutral referees, whenever possible, was received. The matter of appointing referees to be left in the hands of the Referees’ Association, and to advise Nelson Creek that the Centre would endeavour to fulfil their wishes.

Buller Centre wrote advising that the West Coast challenge for the White Horse Cup had been accepted, the game to be played on June 23, at Westport. The Bulier Centre also advised that the Inangahua Sub-Centre had not yet affiliated with them, although they (Buller) had written some time since and inquired of their intentions. They asked to be informed if Inangahua had affiliated with the West Coast Centre. —After discussion, it was decided to write Buller, advising that Inangahua had not affiliated with this Centre, and also that Mr Kiely communicate with Buller by telephone re the matter.

The Reefton Club wrote issuing a challenge for the Irvine Challenge Shield, at present held by Blackball. As they - were not yet affiliated, they could not be considered. It was further stated that the Shield in question was only for competition amongst the teams affiliated to the West Coast Centre. My Kiely was appointed to deal with the matter. The Rewanui Soccer Club wrote enquiring for the use of the Dunollie on Sunday, June 3, to play against Millerton.—Left to Fixtures Committee.

The Otago Centre telegraphed advising that they had arranged to tour and meet West Coast in Greymouth, and asking the Centre to submit a date, or dates, any of which may be suitable for the playing of the match. The Secretary was instructed to advise Otago that the 4th and 23rd June were unavailable, and for them to submit dates suitable to them, when an endeavour would be made to meet their convenience, the West Coast Secretary to name the dates of pay Saturdays.

Mr W. O’Neill informed the Centre that the Junior Advisory Board intended presenting medals to the fifth, sixtlj and seventh grade players participating in the seven-a-side tournament on Monday next, 4th June, at the Recreation Grounds. The fifth and sixth grades would play for seven minutes each way, and the seventh grade (boys of about sst 101 b) for five minutes each way. He asked that Mr L. Hunter (Secretary of the Referees’ Association) endeavour to supply referees. Mr Hunter agreed to attend to the matter.

A letter from Nelson Creek that no referee had been appointed for the junior game, Nelson Creek v. Grey, was received.—Secretary was instructed to advise Nelson Creek that an oversight had occurred, and to thank Mr Gosling for filling the breach, and refereeing the game.

Mr J. McTaggart advised that he had declared “off” the Runanga-Black-ball junior game, set down for decision at Dunollie last Sunday, owing to the late arrival of the Blackball team. It was explained that the visiting team had had a mishap on the road, and they did not arrive until 3.55 p.m., whereas the game had been set down to commence at 3 p.m.

Mr Thomas (Runanga) explained that the Runanga team could but muster half a team owing to prevailing sickness, and had therefore not sufficient men to play the match. Under the circumstances the Runanga captain had decided to give a forfeit to Blackball. It was finally moved by Mr Kiely that Blackball be awarded the mafch, and carried without dissent.

The Secretary was instructed to write a. letter of condolence to Mr I-lawken, of Dunollie, in the recent loss of his brother, the late Mr E. Hawkcn. Members stood in silence, out of respect to the memory of deceased. Registrations were received and passed as correct. Mr Thomas reminded the Centre that they had a resolution on their minute book, giving consideration to financial assistance to the Runanga

Domain Board, and as the Board were now desirous of help, he asked the Centre for the promised sum of £5, ,to help improve the playing area.—Decided to make the donation to the Board.

The selectors of the senior representatives are to be asked to appoint the captain and vice-captain of the team on Monday evening next. Mr Fraser (Blackball) asked for a ruling in the event of a game starting with one team having thirteen men and the other time having nine men, could the team with the shortage, add players after half time, to bring them up to full strength.

It was ruled that a team are entitled to add players for the purpose of bringing their number to full strength at any time during the game. Mr L. Hunter reported on the referees’ meeting held last Saturday. Mr A. Fielding advised his resignation from the Fixtures Committee.— Decided that Mr L. Jackson and the Secretary carry on until next week. . WEEK-END FIXTURES. & Senior: Grey=-v. Runanga at Dunollie on Sunday at 3 p.m. (G. Topp); Marist v. Blackball at Recreation Ground on Monday, June 4, (V. Armstrong) ; Nelson Creek a bye. Juniors: Grey v. Runanga at Cobden on Sunday at 3 p.m. (L. Hunter); Marist v. Blackball at Blackball on Sunday at 3 p.m. (T. Todd); Nelson Creek v. Brunner, at Brunner on Sunday at 3 p.m. (Mr Hallinan). Thirds; Marist v. Brunner at 1.30 at Cobden (Mr Fielding); Runanga v. Blackball at 1.30 at Dunollie (Mr MeTaggart); Grey a bye. Fourths: Blackball v. Runanga at Blackball at 1.30 p.m. (Mr A. Mason). TO BE REPLAYED. Mr A. Fielding, referee in the Marist-Brunner junior match at Cobden reported: “With 15 minutes of time to go, I stopped the match, as I found that in running towards the town end, I was blinded by the heavy rain, and exhausted by the bitterly cold wind. I had appealed to both teams at half time to agree to give the game best, as I felt utterly incapable of continuing. I contended that as I could not do my best against the prevailing conditions, and being temporarily blinded by the rain, I could not see whether or not the players were offside. I was in a deplorable condition, and considered my duty was to call the game off. The teams decided to continue, and Marist scored after half-time.”

The delegate to the Brunner Club asked that the Centre order the game to be replayed.

Mr Buckley for the Marist juniors, asked that Marist lie given the game. It was unfair of the referee to stop the game when Marist were leading. Furthermore, three Brunner players had walked off the field during the progress of the game. After a discussion, in which it was contended that the referee had no right to order off the junior game after it had been three-quarters played, despite a protest from Mr Fielding that it was impossible to carry on, it was decided to replay the game, the amendment that the game be awarded to Marist being defeated by 10 votes to 7.

Mr Buckley (Marist juniors): Have we the right to appeal to the N.Z. Council?

The Chairman: Yes, certainly you have.

Mr Buckley: We will appeal then, and if we lose, Brunner can have the match.

ENGLISH TEAM’S TOUR

SYDNEY, May 28.

As the result of a conference between the Managers of the English Rugby League Team and the members of the Australian Board of Control, at Cootamundra, it has been decided that the tour be conducted under the rules prevailing in England. The innovations made in Australia, such as the drop-out from the goal line after a force, the manner of hooking the ball from the scrum, and the appointment of timekeepers, have been shelved. The Englishmen play the first match of their tour to-morrow, against Coot amundra.