FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 30

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY UNION CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES. SENIOR. The following fixtures for tho first round have been drawn : May 30th—Wellington v. Melrose, Park No. 1 ; Petone v. Athletic, Park No. 2. June 6th—Petone v. Molroso, Petone No. 1; Wellington v. Poneke, Park No. 1. CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES FROM THE REFEREES’ ASSOCIATIONS. A conference of delegates from tho various Referees’ Associations was held in tho Exchange Buildings on Monday, with tho objoct of securing a uniform reading of tho rules of football in Now Zealand. 'I he following delegates wore present:—Messrs J. P. Firth (Wellington), G. Symo (Taranaki), D. Torrence (Otago), W. G. Garrard (Canterbury), E. Batchelor (West Coast), N. McLean (Auckland). Mr Firth was electod chairman of the Conference, and Mr A. M. Do Costa acted as lion secretary. The rules wore considered at great length, and readings agreed upon, but beforo being adopted by unions they will have to be confirmed by tho Appeal Committee. Tho following readings wore agreed upon In-goal or Touch-in-goal—lf the ball bo touched down between tho touch-in-goal and in-goal, tho ball shall bo considered in touch-in-goal. Touch—lf tho ball cross the touch-line, and is blown back into play beforo pitching, it is in touch.

Kick—lf tho reforeo is satisfied that tho player intended to propel tho ball by the action of his log, ho shall consider such action to be a kick. (Bounding tho ball on tho knee is not a kick.) Tacklo—A player shall bo considered to be tackled wlion an opposing player has a fair hold of him.

Scrummage Attention is called to the fact that a scrummago’can tako placo only when tho ball is put down between players who have closed round on their respective sidos, and only one playor on either side is necessary. A scrummage finishos to be a scrummage when tho original formation is entirely broken up. Try (noto to rule)—So as] to press the ball on tho ground. Knook-on—This rule must bo read very strictly. If tho ball be thrown in a direction at right angles to tho touch-line, and on striking the ground bound forward, it shall not be counted a knock-on.

Fair Catch—Tho ball must bo held clean at tho first attempt. Drop-out—ln case of a player punting out, instoad of drop-kicking, bo shall lie penalised by a scrummage at the place of infringement. Touch Judges must appoint his own (ouch judges, further, that in case of misconduct on the part ot a touch judge tin 1 referee shall report him to his union.

Powers of Referees ~R'forces should insist upon the field of play being kept clear of spectators. Rule 3, Section E; Rule 11, Section F—ln all cases whore tho ball is not put into the scrum in a proper manner, the rolereo. shall blow bis whistle, and, on appeal, if in bis opinion the 1 all has boon put in unfairly, he shall allow a frco-kick to tho opposing side. Rule 3, Section G— 1 lie rolercn should never, if possible, blow his whistle until the ball is dead or out oi play. Suggestion to Referees -To ask their.touch judges to take a note ol their time. Ball Out of Play—The ball i; out of play whenever the game is stopped and has to be re-started.

Rule 3, Section J—A player cannot lift his leg until tho ball touches the ground, and unless the ball is put past the first man of the scrummage that has the shorter trout it shall not bo considered to have been put fairly into the scrum. Duty of Touch Judges—That touch judges be requested to hold up their flags immediately the ball lias crossed tho touch-line, and go to tho spot where the ball went out as quioklv as possible. Rule G, .Section A—lt is not lawful to pick tho ball up in a scrum with either bands, arms or knees. . , , Rule G (after Section C) Hie words at once” must be interpreted very strictly. Ruleß Section D—Add words “or touched.” Rule 8-Attention is called to the paragraph after Section D where oil-side players j.re forbidden to run until the player with the ball has run five yards. Rule f (fair catch)—Yv hen a kick troin a fair catch is being taken, the defending side

appeal beforo the wrong man is about t> place tho ball, tho right man shall be allowed to do so, and unless the appeal is made before the kick is takon tho Jappcal shall not be allowed.

Rule 10—“ Como up to and charge.” Note: Both feet must ho behind tho mark.—“ The charge may ho disallowed on an appeal.” Note : This Conference is of opinion that the charge should not be disallowed if the placer intentionally deceives tho other side. Inthe case of a player by his action making the opposite side believe that he was going to take a place-kick, the referee shall insist that the place-kick be takon. —“Mint, ho in tho direction of the opponents’ goal line.” Note: If the ball bo kicked in tho direction of the opponents’ goal line, but before pitching is blown behind the spot whence it was kicked, tho kick shall be regarded as fair. Rule 11, Section C— Players must clearly understand that the penalty will ho inflicted if thoy interfere with the ball in any way while the ball is still on the ground. Rule 11, Section G—ln the case of players running for tho ball, they may obstruct one another for tho purpose of securing the ball, but it is illegal to push with the hands from behind or to tacklo any player not carrying tho ball. Section H—When trie ball is in the scrummage every player except those in the scrummage must stand on his proper side of a lino drawn through tho centre of the ball and at right angles to the touchline, otherwise he shall be adjudged off-side, and further, wing forwards are not in tho scrummage.

Rulo 12—The thrower out need (not come up to the touch-line to throw out. Rule 13 After word “brought” add words “in any manner.” “It is tho duty of the defending side to see that the ball is brought out straight.” Note : This also applies to all place kicks. Rulo 19—Strike out case law “ a threequarter passes to his full-back, tho latter fumbles it, Ac.” Strike out case law “ from a kick the ball is blown behind the kicker’s goal-line, &e.” Rule 50—Strike out CASE LAW. “ Kick out, reasonable time.” Note: Without appeal—“ Try gained by side A, Ac.” Note : Also without appeal. When tho ball has once been placed on the ground the opposite may charge at once. “ Fair catch behind goal-line, Ac.” add law 19. “ In tho case of a kick at goal after a fair catch or try, the kick is forfeited.” Note : Tho Conference of Referees takes this to mean not that the kick is forfeited, but that the opposite side may charge at once. Note 2 : This case law applies to all free kicks. “ Where a ball kicked by a player from a mark is blown back over his own goal line and forced down ” or into “touch in goal,” a scrum shall bo “ formed where mark was obtained.” Note: Tho New Zealand Union to be asked to striko this out.

A player throwing tho ball forward in an endeavour to kick, and missingnjtho ball, is to be regarded as throwing forward. Tho Conference decided to urge that a trial bo given to the system of referees having sole ebargo of the game without appeal, with instructions to blow tho whistle only when they see that the sida infringed against suffers by tho infringement.

Tho Conference also resolved to recommend to the New Zealand Union that thoy suggest to tho English Union that the penalty for a deliberate throw forward bo a free kick to the opposing side. It was tho opinion of the Conference that playeis should be vory strongly urged to discontinue tho practice of appealing for every breach, now matter bow trivial. Infringements were very often of no importance to either side, and continually the side infringed agaiir-t would often gain greatly by not appealing. Votes of thanks to Mr Firth and Mr Do Costa concluded the Conference. FIXTURE.! FOR THE QUEENSLAND TOUR. At, a meeting of the Management Comm: 1b e of the New Zealand Rugby I nion in Mr \ I • Bate’s office on Tuesday, tic;. ul> coin mi lire appointed to arrange a tour tor the Queensland team presented the following programme, which was approved by the committee : Monday, 3rd August, leave Sydney, per Alameda; Friday, 7th August, arrive Auckland ; Saturday, Bt!i August, play Auckland ; Monday, Jlltli August, leave Onehunga; Tuesday, 11th August, play Taranaki ; Tuesday, llih August, leave Taranaki; Wednesday, 12th August, arrivo Wellington ; Thursday, August LUli, play Wellington; Saturday, loth August, play New Zealand match (Wellington); .Saturday, loth August, leave Wellington; Sunday, lGth August, arrive Christchurch ; Thursday, 20th August, play Canterbury ; Thursday, 20th August, leave Jhristchureli ; Friday, 21st August, arrive Dunedin; Saturday, 22nd August, play Otago; Monday, 21th August, leave Dunedin ; Monday, 24th August, arrive Invercargill; Tuesday, 25th August, play Southland ; Tuesday, 25th August, leave Bluff. , , It was decided that the date and place for the North Island v. South Island match be contingent upon the travelling arrangements of the different unions. Tho Melrose Club defeated the Red Stars at .Mastei ton on Monday by lit points to S. Tim Masterton Club, which was threatening to become defunct, has revived, and a senior team is to bo put in tho field this I season.

The annual match between tho Carterton aad Wellington Football Clubs took place on the Athletio Park on Monday afternoon in tho presenoe of several hundred spectators, and resulted in a win for tho town team by eight points to nil. A high wind blowing down the ground somewhat interfered with tho game, but did not prevent some very interesting play. The local forwards proved too good for their weightier opponents, and invariably secured the ball In tho scrums, giving their backs tho opportunity of getting in some very fine passing rushes. One of these resulted in Dunne scoring near the corner, Roadie failing in the attempt at goal. A second try was scored by Johnston, Roadie being successful in registering the major point. The second spell consisted chiefly of forward play, and the visitors, with thelwind at their backs, were unablo to break through the defence of the local backs. Bridge and Booth, of the Carterton team, were conspicuous for dashing play, while forward the Moore brothers were prominent. Of the Wellington team Donnelly and Trine in the back division and Ifallamore, Gallagher and Longtou forward did good service. Mr J. P. Firth refereed, and Messrs Torrance and Kiddie were the line umpires The match between the Featherston and Selwyn teams was played at Petone cn Vo iday, and resulted in a win for the country team by G points to nil. Tho gamo was evenly contested in the first spell, but in the second spell Featherston had a little tho advantage. "Willis and "Whiteman scored for the winners, who all played well. For the losers McKay, Gamble, Curtis and Bannister plavcd well. Mr F. Galloway was referee. Tho visitors were entertained at supper at ‘ the Oriental Hotel by tho fiolwyu Club, when a very enjoyable owning was spent. The match between the Christchurch llardward Club and the Wellington Drapers ended in a draw, each side scoring G points. The game between the Wesley Bible Class and the St. Joint’s Club resulted in a win for the Wesley team by G points to nil. The Junior Cup match Oriental v. Petone, played at Newtown Park on Saturday, resulted in a draw, each side scoring a try. Campbell scored for Petone, and McLeod for the Orientals. For Petone Woods and Pollockplayed well, while for tho Orientals Buddie (full-back) played a great game. Tho Wellington second effected a surprise on Saturday by defeating the St. Patrick’s College first by G points to 5. Quinn, one of the best of the* College team, was injured in the early part of tho game. This is the first match a Wellington Club team has won tor two seasons.

The Third-class Cup matches on Saturday resulted as follows :—Poneke beat Selwyn by 18 points to nil, Melrose boat Wellington by 11 points to nil, and Petone defeated Oriental by 0 points to 3. The Mount Cook School team were defeated at Petone on Saturday morning by the local school team —Petone, 12 points (4 tries); Mount Cook, nil. A match between the Tutaokara and Swifts Clubs was played at Nowtown Park on Saturday last, the Swifst winning by 5 goals to 1. Tutaokara had the choice of ends, and decided to defend the eastern goal. Henderson kicked off for Swifts, a corner being conceded by Tutaokara. In the opinion ot spectators standing on the touch line, a goal should have been claimed. From an appeal for hards, Tutaokara were awarded a tree kick within the 12yds line, but no score resulted, the Swifts clearing well. The Swifts now livened up, and from a good passing rush Thompson boat the goal-keeper, the ball passing through the posts in the top corner. Another goal resulted shortly afterward, aud half-time closed with Tutackara still on the defensive. Howley sot tho ball in motion for Tutackara, tho Swifts immediately returning, and a corner resulted, Macdonald took the kick, but the wind carried the ball wide. The Tutaokara began to take matters seriously, and made repeated attacks on tho Swifts’ goal, upon one occasion tho Swifts having to give a corner in order to save. Philpotttook tho kick, and placod the ball beautifully, but Smith saved by listing out. Play now became very fast, but tho combination of tho Swifts’ forwards eventually proved too much for the opposing backq and Heather sent in a hot one, which was stopped but not held by Lueona, and Henderson, by good following up, scored. At this stage of the game Pliilpott (forward) and Henderson (full back) changed positions, tho Tutackara defenco being much strengthened. Soon afterward Henderson scored for the Swifts, but Tutackara scored a goal from a long shot by Henderson (Tutaokara). Tho remainder of tho gamo was played in a rapidly-failing light, and when the Swifts had again scored, tho game was closed by mutual consent two minutes before time. Mr Woolridgo refereed, and Messrs Spence and Truvors officiated as linesmen.