RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 September 1929, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

JUNIOR KNOCK-OUT CONTEST

OTAKI 33 v. WAIKANAE 0,

The teams lined out \short on both .•sides, Waikanae being two short, Otaki minus one. The,, game had been in progress five minutes when G. Mer•wood receiving the ball from McJLteavey, cut in and ran right through to score a good try. Fafeita missed with the kick. Waikanae cleared, but the ball was returned to their twentyjfive where from a scrum J. McLeavey worked the blind side and sent B. Eyder over for a good try. Fafeita converted. Waikanae made strenuous efforts to score from the kick-off but -Otaki returned the play to Waikanae's twenty-five where J. Bevan secured, passed to C. Mora, to H. Edwards, who .finished off a good movement by scoring in a handy position. The kick missed. A. Smith broke away and carried play to the Otaki line, but S. Biakinson dribbled through and got Otaki out of danger. Half-time sounded with Otaki on the attack. Waikaaae afctaeked in the initial stages of the second spell but H. Edwards broke through and carried play to the Waikanae line, J. Fafeita picked up, scored ..and converted. Ragged play was noticeable at this stage of the game. H. Derham secured, raced over to score in the corner. The kick failed. A good run by Merwood again placed Otaki •on the'attack and C. Mora picked up to .score under the posts. J. Bovan converted. The latter player immediately .after opened out play, passed to G. Flutey who scored in the corner. The kick at goal failed. A cross kick by Marsden was picked tip by G. Flutey who scored in the corner, Fafeita's kick hit the cross bar and re-bbunded. The latter shortly after secured in midficld, kicked over the full-back's head, secured again and scored under the posts, The kick at goal was a poor effort. The game then ended with Otaki winners by a comfortable margin —33 to nil. Waikanae fielded a very weak team, whilst Otaki with the exception of K. Metera, were in full force. Mr. F. Meyer referced m the .absence of an appointed referee.

POOTBALL AND OTHER THINGf. ALLEGED SLA.NDEROUS REPORTS. All sorts of rumours why the Wairarapa representative team lost the Ranfurly Shield, have been going the round*, and' it was not surprising •that the chairman of the Rugby Union should have referred to them at the meeting last week. "The most slanderous statements are being circulated about the team by irresponsible persons," said Mr. Lamb, "and it is up to this Union to protect the players by making these people prove their ■wbrds." MH Lamb paid that one member of the team had been informed that a business man had stated that •one player went on to the field intoxicated and that had he been the referee he would have ordered Mm off. It was also alleged that other members had been, seen in an hotel bar drinkin* prior to the match. These were samples of the slanderous statements that were now being circulated and which, every member of the Union knew were untrue. Reflections of this sort were likely to injure players in business and the Union should take a stand on the matter. They all knew that the players went on to the field sober and fit and it is only fair to them to say so. Mr. C. Gray said that the statements were also a reflection on the management. As the reports were not true the lie'st thing was to ignore them. Mr. Lamb stated that ho did not Mind for himself, but the players had to be protected. Statements of a damaging character had reached him from Waipukurau.' Mr D. Edwards considered that if they could locate the person responsible for the statements as reported by the chairman he should be made to apologise. The chairman said that it was a lady who had given the information and he would not like to drag her in. Mr. Sellar considered the reports •came from/disappointed persons—thoso who could not take a beating. Mr. E. McKenzie said that he had been in charge of the team and he had no hesitation in saying that the rumours were absolutely without foundation. When ho, heard the rumours he decided to field exactly the same team against Otago in order to show hi.s confidence in the players. Mr. Edwards said if the public had said that the team had had three ha T d rfnatche.3 before the Southland game a more generous spirit would have been shown. . Mr. A. Johnson: And we must give Southland some credit too! (Hear, Itear). The discussion then ended.

NOTES. Mr. E.McKenzie, secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Union, receives an honorarium of £2OO per year. The W&irarapa Rugby Union decided to send a letter of congratulation to tie'Southland Rugby Union upon be-'.in'fr'-'tlie possessors of the Raniurly Shield. « ' * The hens in and around Greytown are not Wasting their time worrying, over how Wairarapa lost the Ran fur iy Shield judging by &rs to be seen in the different stores are eggs just now that f^reWl> eTS are only paying P them. • ' ' She Bank of Now Zealand has ae<j«&kl &000 on fixed deposit for-two " y e!rt\at '4 percent from the WairaWpa Bugby Union.