FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME; KING -COUNTRY ' DISPUTE. TEAM'S LATE ARRIVAL. : [BT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TE KUITI, Wednesday. Th© Maniapoto Rugby Union is considerably perturbed over the notion of the Kins Country Rugby Union in reversing the decision of t'no local union in connection with tlio alaying of the final match for the Pukewekn, Shield between Nohcneho and Otorohanga. Originally to bo played at Otorohanga a fortnight ago, tho -Neheneho team left Te Kuiti at the usual time, to fulfil its engagement, but owing to the breakdown of a motor lorry it arrived at Otorohanga, it is asserted, twenty minutes late, although the Otorohanga players, who refused to play, alleged that the delay was 30 minutes. The Maniapoto Union, after taking evidence, decided to replay the match at To Kuiti last Saturday, but the Otorohanga Club protested to tho King Country Union apparently, it is asserted, with a view of claiming the match by default. Its' team failed to appear at Te Kuiti to play Neheneho on Saturday and therefore it was decided that the shield goes to Neheneho by default. The King Country Union upheld Otorohanga s protest. • ■ , v . , . , i, _ The Maniapoto Union has since held a special meeting, at which a resolution - was passed dissenting from tho action of the King Country Union in upholding Otorohanga' pf-lstf?, on the ground that the decision to replay the match was reached ■ ill accordance with the .rules^ of Rugby after a consideration of full evidence. lhe resolution assorts that ■ the . action of tho King Country Union was contrary to the evidence and at variance with the law and spirit of Rugby. It was further submitted that if it wero found that the Maniapoto Union's decision was faulty the matter should have been referred back to it lor revision. •