RUGBY LEAGUE.

Grey River Argus, 21 April 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

RUGBY LEAGUE.

(By “Half-back.”)

The match to take place to-morrow between the Grey and Runanga seniors should be a good one. Grey had the bye last Sunday, but they have been getting into training, so that their condition should be as good as that of Runanga. It is very necessary that the team drawing the bye each week should not overlook .the need to put. in training for that week., as well as for i their playing Sundays. Tt is surpris- V ing how a week off practice will af- 1 feet the fitnes sof a team when next thev are pitted against t thirteen who have kept .to the training. . The above statement is not “news” f to plavers. for they know from experience the truth of it. It is intended onlv to impress upon the few men who do not realise fully what a big set back broken training brings about.

It is pleasing to see that Nelson Creek made their debut into the senior ranks by putting up a splendid fight against Blackball, who had the hardest of struggles in saving their banner from going under. Nelson Creek will, I surmise, win the respect of the best of the teams before the season closes, and “Half-back” wishes the young .team a good share of victories during this, their first year of senior grade. WEEK-END FIXTURES. Seniors: Marist v. Blackball at Blackball, Sunday, at 3 p.m. (Mr L. Hunter referee); Runanga v. Grey at Cobden, Sunday at 3 p.m. (Mr V. Armstrong referee); Nelson Creek a bye. Juniors: Nelson Creek v. Grey at Cobden, Sunday, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr Feilding); Brunner v. Blackball at Brunner, Sunday, at 3 p.m. (Mr C. Kennedy); Marist v. Runanga at Dunollie, Sunday, at 3 p.m. (Mr G. Topp). Third Grade: Grey v. Runanga at Dunollie, Sunday, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr J. MeTaggart); Brunner v. Blackball at Blackball. Spnday, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr C. Fraser); Marist a bye. Sixth Grade: Marist v. Runanga at Dunollie, Saturday, at 2 p.m. (Mr W. Henderson).

Given good weather to-morrow, there should be a big attendance of the public at Cobden to witness the senior game, which is timed to start at 3 p.m. Both .teams have been practising hard during the week and a fast, spectacular game should eventual?.

Tt is to be hoped that the Centre will have the playing area roped in for to-morrow’s Grey v. Runanga match.

Quite a number of referees adopt the welcome style of allowing the public to know what is happening during a game by raising .their voice when awarding or inflicting a penalty to or on a team. “Bert” McKenzie, the well known Rugby referee, is popular with the public attending the football X matches which he controls with suehr

excellent ability, because he raises his voice, so that the large majority of spectators may know why he pu’ls up the game. He gives the name of the particular offender, and the nature of the infringement. A large number of the public attending matches are often unable to discern .the reason why a game is held up by the referee, .and if more of the men handling the whistle would let those on the line know the cause of the infringements, the onlookers could follow the game to better understanding and thereby appreciate the match more fully.

Having mentioned referees, I fee! that the time is opportune to remind both the public and players that these men give their services freely, and with the single purpose of helping the Code on. They received a hurried cheer at the conclusion of a game, and that very often is the sum total of the thanks accorded to them. The club members no doubt value and appreciate their services, but at times both players and public are antagonistic, and forget in the tense moments of the game, that the referee is only doing his duty (and in most instances doing it well), but because they cannot see eye to eye with his rulings, they pronounce him as being incapable. Refereeing is a thankless game, and when it is evident that a man is doing what he considers is the right thing to do, it is not for the public or players to get “hot under the collar” about any of his decisions.

Grey are of the opinion that they can do the crick against Runanga to-morrow, and Runanga are confident of gaining a victory over Grey, so that the game should be worth seeing. “Half Back” does not care to have the smallest of individual wagers, even though it is only a two horse race, and will be prepared to “wait and see.” I notice that Runanga have placed Henderson as an emergency. There is a reason of course, but “Half Back” w’ould not entertain the idea that it is because he is not considered good .enough. If however, that is the reason, then the black and whites must have a rattling good set of backs. Marist meet Blackball at Blackball .to-morrow afternoon, and the greens are confident of adding a second win to their account. Here also one must “wait Aid see.”