ROUGH FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 14

ROUGH FOOTBALL

FIRM ACTION BY REFEREE FOUR PLAYERS ORDERED OFF [from ottb own correspondent! HAMILTON, Sunday During the course of a senior grade Rugby game at Hamilton yesterday between Frankton and Horotiu four men were ordered from the field by the referee, Mr. H. Johnston. The game was played on the outside field at Rugby Park and was watched by a fair number of supporters of both teams. Frankton won easily by 29 points to 3. Although there was some reckless play in the first half, it was not until after half-time that the referee found it necessary to caution the teams. Then some of the players so openly disregarded the rules of clean play that three of them were ordered from the field at one time. Two of these were Frankton men and the other was a Horotiu player. The crowd on the sideline resented the referee's action and until the end of the game ho was subjected to a running fire of comment. A few minutes before the end of play another Frankton player was ordered otf, and Lliie was the signal for a fresh outburst on the part of the crowd. After this, however, the rough play ceased and the referee had the match well under control.

There was no demonstration at the end of the game, the crowd and tho players evidently appreciating the referee's determination to keep the game clean.