THE REFEREE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 September 1930, Page 6

THE REFEREE

MUST BE FIT THE BEST FRIENDS OF THE GAME Well might the referees be termed the host friends of the game, and as another season draws to a close it is fitting that the thanks of players and controlling bodies be extended to those enthusiastic ex-players who continue to play such an important part in the game as the man with the whistle. The Rugby rofereo should be as fit as the players themselves. It is not sufficient for him to keep a fatherly eye on the play from a distance. Ho must be up with every incident and turn of the game, if only to judge on the finer points such as the less flagrant forward passes or the more subtle cases of off-side. Then the referee simply must know the rules inside out. That may seem merely an obvious statement, but in the case of Rugby it signifies a world of knowledge, which actually is possessed by comparatively few referees. For it implies knowledge not only of the letter of the laws but of their correct interpretation and application to particular circumstances. Despite the excellent work of the Society of Referees interpretations of the laws" still vary a great deal. One man may permit what another man condemns, and the law under which a referee may condone a minor offence if it conveys no benefit to the offenders is scarcely ever applied by two referees in the same way. So much is left to the personal opinion and impulse of the man that inconsistencies are bound to occur. And when tliey do occur what a howl we sometimes get from the crowd !

Some years ago a famous referee who had officiated in a most enjoyable club match was greeted by a fri'jnd with the remark: "I thought yo»; were rather easy with one or two tlrings." "Well," retorted the referee, "would you have enjoyed the 'game any more if I had blown up for everything?" Which was a perfect answer. The letter of the iaw is not everything in refereeing. Usual-' ly the greatest credit that falls to a referee is that he handled a game well, or ■ that no fault could be found with him. The wonder is that so many men are found willing to undertake the job. In some other games, of course, the referee is paid, but not so much as to earn -a fortune; - and in most cases, whether he is paid or not,, it may be taken for granted that he does it mainly out of sheer love for the game, of which he has generally been a player. This aspect,' it seems, has been somewhat obr scured, especially in the case of Rugby football in which love of the game alone keeps up the supply of game controllers. Some:players even regard him more as an hereditaiy enemy than as a friend, and it really is time that more consideration was shown for the part he plays. The behaviour of players, and their methods, is the primary concern of the clubs and captains on the field of play, and they should take a larger share than they do in preserving the true spirit of fair play. NELSON ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SOCIAL The annual social of the Nelson Rugby Referee's Association was held last evening,- the gathering being presided over by Mr A. De Pina (President of the Association) and with him at the head table ,were Messrs S. Oldershaw, patron, W. E. Frank, ex-prcsident of the Rugby Union, and G. P. Russell (vice-president of the Rugby Union. After the chairman had proposed the Loyal toast, he proposed "the Nelson

Rugby Union," which he considered a body of sports. There was nothing tho Association had asked for this year which had not been granted. He spoke of tho good relationship between the Union and Association and wished to convey the best wishes of tho Association to tho representatives of Nelson challenging for the Seddon Shield next Saturday. * Mr Russell aplogised for the absence of tl|e Nolson Rugby Union, lie thanked the association for the invitation to attend and endorsed Mr De I'ina's ru-

'■ marks regarding the good relationship which oxists between the referees and the union. The task of the referee was somctimos not an .enviable one as they were open to rebuffs by public and players, but they carried on their offorts for tho good of the game. "The N.Z. Referees' Association" was proposed by Mr Batchelor. He referred to the work of tho parent body. At one time each Referees' Association had its own rules. In 1905 tho New Zealand Referees' Association was formed and since then each association has ruled according to the findings of the New Zealand body. Mr S. Reid in replying to the toast spoke of tho good work of tho New Zealand body who fought out the definite rulings for the gamo. Mr W. E. Frank proposed the "Nelson Referees' Association." He referred to the tinle and expense of each individual referee in his efforts to help along the game. . Mr De Tina, replying, said the members of the Association had worked harmoniously all tho year. He paid a tribute to the work of the Appointment Board. He extended a welcome to any ex-player who wished to join the association. As a referee he would like to seo two of the rules altered.

(1) In. regard to putting the ball in the scrum. He considered it was difficult for any referee to rule consistently on whether. the foot passed an imaginary line through the middle of the scrum.' (2) The line out advantage rule. He regretted the absence of the country referees who had given the association the best of service. "The Victorious Teams" in the competitions was proposed by Mr B. Edwards. He congratulated the Old Boys 'on. tho winning of the senior-champion- ' ship. The team worked well and dc- ' served its success. He was sure the run-ners-up would not begrudge the winners their success. The Junior competition had been a hard battle and some of the teams were on a level till just at the end of the season. He referred to what he considered the best game of the season—the junior representative match between Nelson and Marlborough. He also paid a tribute to the Nelson third class team. Three years ago they were defeated in every match. The next year they won the competition and did the same again this year. He paid a tribute to the coaches of the respective teams. In replying on behalf of Old Boys Mr D. Merritt said the Old Boys juniors had never won the competition before, and the seniors had not won since 1920.

Mr W. Reed, for the Nelson Club, congratulated tho Old Boys Club on their double win. Nelson did not begrudge Old Boys their win and the taking of the Cup from them. In fact it had done his Club a lot of good as the result was the introduction of "new blood" into the team. His club was proud of their third class team. Three years ago 12 boys new from the Central school formed a team and in the first year they were beaten in every match, the lowest score againstthem being about 30 points. Their success in the last two years proved that it did not take a team of stars to win, but took 15 men all pulling together under a good coach. Mr C. Stewart proposed "the Patron.". He mentioned Mr Oldershaw's long association with the' referees.

Mr Oldershaw, the patron, said that in the "good old days" Rugby was played in a different manner than it was today.' He said the first back play was introduced into New Zealand by a New

South Wales team which played five eighths, lie was proud to be associated with (lie referees with whom ho had been in close contact for 40 years. "Kindred Sports" was proposed by Mr G. Withers and replied to by Mr Parker (Association football), ' WVaughan (boxing), G. Logan (bowling), H. Gibbons (hockey), and A. Bennett (Fire Brigade). Mr 11. Hockey proposed "Life Members" which was replied to by Messrs G. Logan and J. Fowler. "The Ladies," "the Press" and Hie "Chairman," were toasted before the social was brought to a close with tho singing of "Auld Lang Syne," and the National Anthem During tho evening items were rendered by Messrs Burt and Amos, Bogg (concertina), B. Edwards, M. Toone, S. Reid, and W. J. Carson. OVERCOATS STOLEN (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON. This Day. Three members of tho Wellington Rugby team which won the Ranfurly Shield from, Southland had their overcoats stolen at a hockey dance which they attended. This fact was mentioned in the report of the team's manager Mr Millard, presented to the Wellington Rugby Union. The players who suffered were Ball, Kilby and Cooke. "Cooke was fortunate enough to recognise his on a fellow passenger on the ferry steamer on Saturday nitjlit, but the other two are still minus their coats."