Visiting Referee’s Excellent Display

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1938, Page 4

Visiting Referee’s Excellent Display

Mr J. Hammond, Ponsonby Reserve coach, who took the whistle by special request in the Kamo-City game at the Park, turned on a display of refereeing which many local players and the majority of those on the sideline must admit was well above their heads. Mr Hammond is an experienced Auckland senior referee, and hence it was laughable to note that a section of the gallery saw fit to criticise his rulings. Lack of knowledge of the technicalities of the game, a fault too common with League players in the North, led the Kamo team into hot water time and time again, and they could not profit by experience, even after a string of free kicks had been awarded against them. It was natural that some of the Kamo section of the public should be equally as ignorant as the players, but unlike the players they took their lesson in poor spirit, and voiced their petty disapproval in no uncertain manner. It is unfortunate that genuine attempts to improve the standard of play in the district should receive such a childish reception from those who are to be pitied for their ignorance and lack of good manners. It must be stated in absolute fairness to Mr Hammond that he was impartial in his rulings, and the ironical cheers which greeted his action whenever City were penalised were absolutely uncalled-for. If the malcontent section of the code followers would only realise it, Mr Hammond’s visit was a much-needed step towards teaching Northern players that under the League code they are expected to play League, and not Rugb3’’ under League rules. v a ut *