RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 June 1927, Page 3

RUGBY

COMPLAINTS AGAINST SENIOR PLAYERS. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.} CHRISTCHURCH, June 29. Three senior Rugby players were ordered off the field in Christchurch last Saturday. Last evening the union ordered G. Rhodes, of Merivale, to stand down for one Saturday for criticising a referee’s decisions. The cases against the two others, one for alleged deliberate kicking of an opponent and the other for striking an opponent, were adjourned so that the referee could give evidence.

WHAREROA (12) v. OHANGAI (6)

This fixture was played) afc Wihiareroa and resulted ia® above after strenuous and vigorous play, particularly in the second spell. Wibareroa, defending the southern goal, took the field with one man short. Ahuoisit immediately Olhangai pressed hard and a. mark by Findlay placed the Blue and Blacks in a dangerous position. Brown relieved temporarily, but Whareroa was ultimately obliged to force. The arrival of Hughes completed W.hareroa’is complement of men, and shortly afterwards Ohangai was obliged to ground the leather. A.fine rally by the Blacks land the award Q'f a free kick in a. good position gave them the opportunity lor a shot at goal, which failed. They continued ,to press the Blue and Blacks until French, by a good run, saved them from a tight comer. Give and take play followed till the call of half-time, with no score on either side.

In the second spell a free kick for Ohangai was turned to advantage by their opponents, and the dead-bail (line saved the Blacks from a certain score. Shortly after wards the game had to be stopped for a time on account of the ball .suffering by contact with a boxthorn hedge. On resuming, Ohangai attacked strongly and after fine forward play by Hogan, Hunt and others, Goodger broke across and placed three points to the credit of his side. He failed to add to the score. A good run by iSymmonds transferred play to Ohangai’s twenty-five and after .strenuous forward play A. Carrel scored for W.hareroa. The kick at goal resulted in a “poster,” leaving the scores even. Ohangai attacked briskly on resumption of j>lay and Wiharerea was obliged lo force twice in quack succession. Both teams now played up strongly, and in a fast open bout French secured the oval and shot across Ohangai’& line. The kick at goal failed to increase the score. Brisk and exciting play followed ,and at this juncture Ohangai lost the .services of one of their best forwards. Whareroa now asserted a pronounced superiority, land after Ohangaii had been obliged to force twice, Crooks picked up the leather from behind a .scrum near the black line and raced across. The ball, pierced by many boxtliorns, failed to rise to 1 the attempt to goal. They wore not yob beaten, however, .and in la fine .rally swept up to the Blue and Black twenty-live, where the award of a f ree kick gave Lee the opportunity to. score a good goal. The game now opened up noticeably, and last and vigorous play aroused the excitement of the spectators. A free kick for the Blacks resulted in Whareroa being obliged to force down. Ensuing play resulted in Ohangai being pushed steadily down the field, and after a good) exhibition of passing Symmonds gathered, in the .leather and dashed round, .the opposing backs. A futile attempt at goaf .left the score .at 12 tQ 1 6 in favour of Wliareroa, and shortly afterwards the whistle sounded no-side. Mr. W, Claiming controlled the game.

WEDNESDAY COMPETITIONS

CITY (3) v. FRASER ROAD (0)

A match full of interest, but not showing a great deal of combination in play was the fixture between City and Eraser Road, when the, former won a narrow victory by three points, an unconverted try to nil. City were short of several of their usual complement, and had to fill up. with emergencies, and. it is to tlieir credit that they maintained the honour of then- club. In the early part of the match City assumed the upper hand, a rush headed by Hart and Cannon resulting m the Road being pressed on their line. They relieved the pressure, Notman and" IVhai being responsible. Back came the City men, Bryant and Cannon again in the lead, and this was followed by a fine bout of forward play in which clever dribbling by Jackson was the feature. It was a good effort, and the ball was taken over the line by Jackson, but bard kicking spoilt it. For a time play was in midfield, till City attacked hotly, and a good run by Bryant was nullified by a forward pass. Again and again City forwards, Halt, Ritter and Ward in the van, swept down on the opposing line, but the defence was sound. But at length, from a scrum in close quarters, Cannon, who was playing a great game, secured and went over the line. The kick failed. City 3, Eraser Road 0. From this until half-time both sides attacked in turn, Jumbo, Whai, and Notman for the Road, and Ward, Bryant, Hart and Cannon for City, being specially prominent, and halftime came without further score. Just after resuming. City had a narrow escape when Rangi followed up fast, and Bryant was just in time to force down. A run by Hart was the next feature, that fine forward racing clear away to Roail quarters, where Jumbo saved in a. dangerous position. Road attacked strongly and City bad to force down. But their backs then got to work, and in quick succession brilliant rushes by Goodwin and Lay took place, in which «• score was just missed, and another run by Cannon, when he passed to Goodwill, the latter .almost scoring and being grassed on the line. Road cleared, but once more City put in a great attack, Cannon and Hart in succession being collared just short of the coveted try. Then Road asserted themselves and gave City a busy time on defence, almost scoring twice. Play till “noside” was fast and even, both taking a turn in attack, and the match ended with the scores unchanged.

City f Eraser' Road u Mr. L. H. Chapman was referee. TARANAKI UNION. MEETING OF DELEGATES. TRANSFER OF PLAYERS. A special meeting of delegates representing tiie district clubs under the jurisdiction of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union was bold at Stratford

last night to consider the following notice of motion from the Athletic Club (Hawera): “That no player shall transfer from one club to another unless he has given six months notice, to the Taranaki Rugby Union of bis desire to change.” The chair was occupied by Mr H. Spur die (Clifton), president of the Union.Delegates were present from the Star, Tukapa, Old Boys, Clifton, Stratford, Elthani, Kaponga, Opunake, Okaiawa, Hawera and Athletic Clubs, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Referees’ Association .and Primary Schools’ Union. Mr J. McLeod (Star), in formally moving the motion, explained that the wording of the amendment was of little moment —it was set out simply so as to promote discussion. Mr W. A. Guy (Okaiawa) seconded the motion. Mr F. M. Whyte (Old Boys) moved as an amendment: “That transfers he granted from one club to .another in the same district with the consent of the management committee and of the club he was leaving, provided that such a transfer be not granted after the hrst playing Saturday.”—This was seconded hv Mr Spurdle. Considerable discussion ensued, and the rule books of the New Zealand and English Rugby Unions wore freely referred to. Mr J. Garcia (Tukapa) gave notice of his intention to move that Rule 9 lie amended on the lines of Rule 9 of the English rules, which, after making alterations to comply with local conditions, is as follows: “When a player wishes to join a new club in the same district he may do so ,up to the end of the first round, but he .shall produce a letter from his old club stating that they have no objection. On .receipt of such a letter, the union shall give the necessary permission, unless they believe there may have ueen collusion or that ille.gal means have been employed to induce the player to join the new club, in which case tliev shall hold an inquiry. In case any club or clubs refuse to give such written pel-mission, the union must hold an inquiry at the request of the player or club he wishes to join. If from any cause an inquiry lie held, the Union shall have l full power to order the ,payment of the costs so incurred, and of the clubs and witnesses, as it may think fit. If, however, a valid objection is received, the transfer shall not be granted.”. Mr McLeod considered that do’egafces were not taking the right viewpoint. The: Taranaki Union had been in existence long enough to draw a line from its own experience without reference to the doings of other unions. He dwelt at length on the danger of making the conditions of transfer too hard. He was well aware of the existence of feeling between clubs. He would not like to see a town versus country club attitude adopted, and the .last thing lie desired was for town, clubs to get the idea, that they wore having ‘‘one put over them.” If such a feeling became manifest he would very soon retire from the control of football. He knew that soreness existed between the New Plymouth. clubs and he also knew that a great deal devolved upon the decision reached on the matter before the meeting, and he felt that it would he wise to adopt Mr Garcia’s amendment.

The amendments advanced by Mr Whyte and the Athletic Club were lost. Mr Garcia’s amendment was then put to the meeting and carried.

RUGBY ADMINISTRATION. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The monthly mooting of the Management Committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union was held at Stratford last evening. when there were present: Messrs J. McLeod (chairman), W A. Guy, J. Garcia., J. J. Goodwin, F. M. White, W. Moves, H Spurdle. A. F. Nielson, and S. E. Nielson

INTER-COLLEGE MATCH. Correspondence was received from the Wa, nganui Technical College ad visa mg that about 90 boys would visit Hawera to witness the inter-Col lege football match, Wanganui Technical College v. New Plymouth High School on Saturday next, and acknowledging the appointment of Mr H. iG'. Whittington as referee. It was resolved to alter the time of strafing the match from 3 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Tlie curtain-raiser will start at 1 p.m. BENEFIT MATCH. Favourable consideration was granted an application from the. Stratford Football Club for permission to make charges: of 2s (men) and Is (ladies) for admission to tire Stai'-Stratford fixture at Stratford on July 9. The club suggested devoting half the gate proceeds to the unemployment fund in Stratford. —lt| was decided to accede to the request. and further resolved that a similar permission be extended to every club’s home match in the remaining fixtures. HIGH SCHOOL v. TE ATJTE. The secretary of the North Taranaki Girls’ Sports Association asked permission to. play the club’s basket ball final, on Pukekura Park on ’July 16. — Mr 'Moves explained that a football match, High School v. Te Ante. College would probably he played on that date, but as the basket ball would be finished by 3 p.m. there would be no objection.^—The application was referred to the New Plymouth members of the committee for decision. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. The Hawke’s Bay Union wrote agreeing to an alteration of date of the match against Taranaki at New Plymouth from September 17 to September 27. The latter date had been allocated to the Wanganui -Taranaki match, but Wanganui had agreed to the transposition. raneurly shield. In regard to the Ranfurly Shield match, it was decided to postpone negotiations "ith Hawke’s Bay until the shield match on July 9 is decided. In the meantime, ,it was resolved to issue a formal challenge to Wairarapa. dates confirmed. The secretary of the Wellington Bugh'' Football Union wrote confirming'the date of . the representative fixture, Wellington v. Taranaki, at Hawora on July 6. The Wellington team will arriye in Hawera. oil July 5, and return to Wellington on the morning of the 7tli. SPECTATORS’ EXPLANATIONS. A letter was read from a spectator, denying that lie stopped a. football match at Ra.hotu by blowing a whistle, and explained that he whistled to check Ills dogs worrying some sheep. He nevertheless remarked' on what the considered the unfairness of the referee. Another spectator forwarded an apology for remarks levelled at a; referee, but repudiated the charge of making use of insulting terms. AN APPRECIATION. Dr. Saunders, Eltham, wrote thanking; the committee for a complimentary ticket received, at the same time forwarding a. donation, of a guinea, to the funds of the union.—A vote of thanks was accorded the donor.

A deputation ,consisting of Messrs A. O. Casey, J. L. Weir and E. Bary waited upon the committee with a request that a representative match be played at Eltham during the present season, and received the .assurance that every consideration would be accorded the request. SATURDAY’S FIXTURES, REFEREES APPOINTED. Referees have been appointecT for Saturday’s fixtures in. the Southern Division as follows: Seniors. Patea v. Opunake, at Patea, 2.45 p.m., Mr L. Clapham. Athletic v. AV.aima.te, at Manaia, 2.45 p.m., Mr W. Badley. Hawera v, Okaiawa, at Hawera, 1.15 p.m., Mr H. McNae. Juniors. Opunake v. Waimate, at Opunake, 2.45 p.m., Mr A. E. Spratt. Kaponga v. Okaiawa, at Kaponga, 1.15 p.m.. Air J. Kis.sick. Eltham a bye. Hawera v. Patea, at Patea, 1.15, Mr T. Sheehan. Athletic, v. Waver ley, at Alain School ground, Hawera, at 2.45 p.m., Mr; M. Bailey. Alton a bye.. Third Grade. Hawera, v. Okaiawa, School grounds, Hawera, 1.15 p.m., Mr M. Jones, Patea withdrawn from competition. Eltham a bye. Secondary Schools Match. N.P. High School v. Wanganui Technical Co'ilege, Mr Whittington. THE MAORI TEAM. SOUTH TARANAKI PLAYERS REPRESENTED. (BY TELEGBAPH I'KESS association.) WELLINGTON, June 29.

A meeting of tlie Council ot the New Zealand: Rugby Union was held to-night. . The Maria watu-Horo when via Union challenged the Wairarapa Union for tlie Ranfurlv Shield on August 6 or 13. In the event of Hawke’s Bay winning the shield on July 9, they asked that their match with Hawke’s Bay on J uly 30 shAuld be a shield match. The Palmerston North Boys’ High School lodged a chafenge to Te Ante College for the Moa.scar Cup. The Government Tourist Department submitted a. detailed itinerary c! the Maori team’s tour of the Dominion, which was approved. A number of unions asked 1 for variations in dales, but it. was decided to reply that the original dates would be adhered to. Tlie New Zealand touring team will comprise the following:—W. Barclay (Auckland), A. C. Failwasser (Taranaki), W. Hohaia (Hawera), H. Ivingi (Tailiape), W Lockwood (East Coast), L. Paewai (Auckland), D. Pelham (Auckland). W. Potaka (AVanganui), AA r . Short-land (Hawke’s Bay), 3M. AYi Meera, (Wellington); forwards, A. T;atana 1 (Horowhenua), A. Crawford (East Coast), S. Gemmell (Hawke’s Bay), J. R. Gemmell (Hawk’s Bay), P. I'haia

(Taranaki), J. Manihera (Canterbury), Rangi Ruru (Hawera), J. Rene (AA 7elbngtonL W. Rika. (North Auckland), T. P. Robinson (Canterbury), S. Solomon (Auckland), H. AVilson (AVairoa). The British Columbia Rugby Union advised that the British Columbia University team, which won tlie British Columbia Rugby championship last year, was very keen to get an. invitation to visit New Zealand next season. The matter was referred to the finance committee to bring down a report to the next meeting on the cost of such a tour.