THE RUGBY RUMPUS.

Grey River Argus, 27 May 1922, Page 3

THE RUGBY RUMPUS.

CONSIDERED BY THE UNION. MARIST CAPTAIN PENALISED. The case of the three Marist players who were dismissed from the field during the Star v. Marist match on Saturday last came before the West Coast Rugby Union last evening. A Lively discussion took place on each case, and the names of the players were ordered to be suppressed. The Marist captain was suspended for two playing Saturdays, the three-quarter ordered to apologise to the referee and receive a caution and the third player to receive a caution. Tlio'--‘ present nt flic meeting were: Captain Cox (chairman), A. Adams, Gny, rairb: iiii, Dunford, J. Rothwell, •J. F. Wilson. T. O'Donnell, Girseking, I I<’l‘fcrn;i h, C. Ileaphy, Nelson, Beaumont, Hinksman. Prior io com mem-ing the business the chairman asked members to eliminate any personal animosity and judge the cases before them on their merits. Keep to the point, he asked, and cut out any general iiicriiuinat ions. REFEREE ’S REPORT. Mr O'Donneil asked if the referee’s report was to be published. In the past this hud not been done and a precedent had been established. He did not agree to breaking this now. lie moved that the old custom be adhered to and the referee’s report be not published. Mr O'Donnell later : Herod the resolution to read that. the names of the players concerned therein bo not published. Mr Wilson seconded ami said it would not be good for the men themselves if the Dames were published, and he could not see any purpose to.be achieved by their publication. They did not want any sensationalism, but only wanted the adv: m-ement of the game. Mr Giescking said if the men were Io bt 1 punished or disqualified the public would Wi‘-h to know why. A stigma wouid l;e cast, on the names of the players in any case and the public, should know what happened to them. He opposed the ]>ublic.ition of the report on Tuesday last because it had not been de: Il with. : .M r t’airbairn favoured the publira- I (ion ol the report and names. There ’ (had born a great deal of public discussion on the matter, and the public wished to know several points such as whether the referee cautioned the first, man to be expelled. Mr Wilson strongly opposed the publication and s: id he had nc\'cr seen anv ('ns<“ like this in New Zealand in which the names were published. Just because they had a ‘‘clap tr p ? ‘ going was no reason to make a sensation in the p'pers. Tiit- tli'Ug bml been going on for years and was tin' first had been given a case. It was a coiiiieil of inquiry; the referee’s report had been received ami the men asked to . attend. There w.‘m 100 mm-h ’’persona! bi in •ss '' creeping into it. Mr <)’Donnell: I have no personal feTing, but wish (he i.::ion to be co-.i-sisteiit in it.; principles. In reply to Mr Dunford, Mr Wilson s: id since be had been in Greymouth : tl;e I’re-is bad only been to one or two 1 union meetings. At a case similar to the present one the Press represent.!- , lives had secured a big report, ami since that the Press were asked to sub- 1 init reports to tl’.e (diuirman. They ihen i stopped utlending. j Air Giescking: Then there is no pre- I Mr Fairbairn: The whole thing hinges ’ around the first portion of the- re- ! f» i ree’s report. Alter a lively interchange between ' Messrs O’Donnell ami Fairbairn the 1 resolution was carried. The referee's report read as follows:—Tn last Saturday's fixture Star ; v. Marist I had occasion to caution a Marist and a Star player for illegal interference. During the early part of : the game there were several cases of players questioning my decision, but unfortunately I could not place the of- ’ fenders, but later on stopped the game • ami cautioned the Marist captain for this offence and stated that any fur- i ther offences of this kind would neces- I sitate me ordering the offender off the ! field. After awarding the Star team a try, a back of the Marist team made adx’erse comments on the decision ami I ordered him to leave the field. During the latter part of the first spell, I ordered the captain off the field for deliberately kicking an opponent, who was on the ground. In the second half I ordered another Marist player off for striking and using thre: toning language to an opponent. .Just before the close of play I had occasion to warn the Marist back for cm?roaching on the touch-line and inviting the Marist team io leave the field; and was met with abuse. Ap: rt from all these disagreeable feautres of the game, I should like to show my appreciation of the fine sporting spirit «of ()’Callaghan, who assumed command of the Marist team, and I whose example was a great help under trying circumstances. ! THE FIRST MAN OFF. The ease of the Marist back was then I dealt with. I In reply to Mr Heaphy Mr Adams ' (the referee) said he did not previously caution the player. j Mr Heaphy said the man was talking to one of his own players. The referee was walking into the field of play with his back to the man. The player had not been cautioned at ail previous to that. Mr O’Donne!,! to Mr Adams: Did you get any instructions from the union

I I officials betorc the game? I Air Adams: No. I Air O’Donnell to Air Adams: Did yoi Air Adams: No. % Air O’Donnell proceeded to explair that at half-time he had asked the re force what the player had been and was told that he had disputed a try, ami that the referee thought he was Ihe right man. He (the speaker) said he thought the referee had the wrung m: n ami said he. should not have dismissed him without being sure. He went to the. president and told him about it. Air Adams explained his interview with Mr O’Donnell at half-time. As it was no time for explanations he merely su'd he thought in- was the man. [ Air Joni's (secretary): Is it quite the thing for a member of the union to • question tin* referee at half-time? I Air O’Donnell: i did not. question his j decision. | Air Wilson said the time of play was 'no time io question the referee. A referee aits on the moment and according to farts as they appear. Mr Giescking: Was this the only player heard to speak. Air Adams: Hr was the only one at the time. The remark referred to a try granted to the Star team. lie (the referee) was in a position to see the try. (This in reply to Air Gieseking’s question.) The chairman said the referee’s worJ was law in a case like this. It Was decided to call the player (who, by the way, had been waiting outside since the commencement of the meel ing). Mr Giescking retired and reported that the player h:d left ami stated that it could hardly be expected that he remain in the cold. Air Adams, referring to the incident on the field, said the remark passed ■was one moant to harrass the referee. 'l'll.- player used very abusive language when cautioned near the finish of the game. Mr Nelson reported having : skc<l the referee to clear the line and heard the player use tlie abusive language. Mr Heaphy stated he wanted the referee to slop the game as it was becoming a fari-e with only 10 men playing. Mr Adams said it was not his fault that il was a farce ami he would not. stop it until called by tin? timekeepers, Mr O'Donnell was of opinion that the i game should have been stopped at Air |

I CASE OF ‘THE CAPTAIN. ’ The meeting then reverted to the case of the first player. Air O'Donnell moved that ho lie asked to apologise to the referee and receive a severe caution from the union. The discussion then drifted on to the w so of the Mari.- t captain, who was put off for kicking Steel. Air D v phy explained the circurn- . stamps in 'which the incident occurred, ; and said that Steel had the bull under ; his arm at the time ami lie (the speak- j er; played the ball from him, and in the at’miipt. fvd over him. After that lie did not ste what happened. Air A.mum id the Lail di I not enter ; ■when the kick was made. The player was. standing up, ami delivered a de I liberate kick into the man on tin? j ground. Ho. was uljsolutciy certain th; t i the kkk was doiivered deliberately. It I was the mo.'J f<ml thing he laid yet seen The .Mu,risl captain was admitted and I in explanation of the episode, said in i his opinion the referee was under an ! optical delusion. He was the tackle Sivil ami brought him down, the j latter with the bail under his arm. He i delivered one ki«4< at the ball whilst 1 it was in that position, his shin pad j striking Steel’s shoulder. H was | Heaphy who had Steel on the ground j and tried to get the ball in play. Steel w: s infringing as tin- rule stated that if a player retained the ball on the ground for a period the side'was to be penalised by ;i scrum or free kick. The referee waited until the ball was in play again. He also waited when Mosley got over and scored. Mr Adams had always treated him fairly, but on this occasion he was stating something contrary to the truth. Mr Adams explained that no player . was in danger and there was no reason to stop play prior to sending the j ; captain off. j The Alarist captain suggested calling ; witnesses, but. the chairman pointed out ‘ that the referee’s word must outweigh the evidence of any witness. The Player: Well, after that, Mr Chairman, I beg to leave the room, j He left. j A discussion tool; place as to whether a player was justified in calling wit-. I nesses, during which Ihe chairman had , to restore order. I Air Rothwell moved that the Marist i captain be suspended for three months, i Mr Guy seconded. I Air Giescking moved as an amend niciil that he lie suspended for one play- : ing Saturday. i Air O’Donnell seconded and said three i /nonths was too severe. j Air Wilson said the object was to make this a deterrent and prevent any recurrence. He thought that together with publicity that had been given, i if the player was suspended for two ■ Saturdays he would be well punished. | Air Adams said the thing must be | stopped and the safety of players assured. ’ Air Dunford* said the Star Club were of opinion that two Saturdays would fit the case. ■ Air Rothwell: lias a club the right to discuss this ami fix Hie player’s sentence? j The amendment was put and declared ’ lost. ' A further amendment moved by Mr Wilson and seconded by Mr Kelson that

the captain be suspended for two Saturdays was carried. THE THIRD PLATER. The case of the third player was then taken. Air Adams said ho did not see any provocation to warrant the incident. Mr Dunford: He was unlucky to be caught. After further discussion Air O’Donnell moved that as the offender was a ! young player he receive a severe cau- | tion. | Mr Gieseking seconded. 1 Air Jones moved an amendment to i the effect that the player receive the I same punishment as the captain—two Saturday’s suspension. Air Adams said to compare the two ■ cases would be ridiculous. i There was no seconder to the amendi rneiii am! the resolution was put ami i carried. TITE COBDEN ROW. 1 Air Hincksman, in speaking to his ; report on the Cobden match in which ' two players wore ordered off, said that the language used by both players was | vile and in consequence they were both ! dismissed. He also referred to the < crowd on the line, who, he said, played • a prominent part at a football match, i Di reply to Air Beaumont Air Him-ks-man sai>l the game was a very hard contested one right through. It was free of dirt ami rough play, lie had no occasion, other than that reported, to warn, any player. One Cobden spectator attempted to go on to the ground ami call the Cobden team off the field. Every player should have control of his own mouth, and he could not be controlled by any other pl: yer. Air Heaphy moved that the players be asked to apologise to Air Ilincksntan and be administered a severe caution from the union. Mr O’Donnell seconded and suggesting a very stringent clause regarding players using abusive language on the field,