FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15822, 22 July 1913, Page 8

FOOTBALL

OTAGO RUGBY UNION. Tho weekly meeting of the Otago Rugby Union, held last evening, was attended by Messrs H. Harris, (in trie chair), Dunne, Miscall, Sinclair, Thomson, Dey, fctuart, Brown, Prieet, Ca.vo.nagh, Snndes, Wilson, Nelson, and Dr. Evans. COUKESPO.N'DENCE. C. Connor waa granted a transfer from the Havensbourne o'lub to tho Clyde Club (Central Otajo). G. Harrhy's application for a transier Irom the Alhambra Club to the Port Chalmers Club was noted, but ho waa iirformed that he could not play for the latter this season. The Secretary reported that August 16 had been arranged as the date of the junior representative match with Canterbury, and August 14 for the match with North Otago. Mr F. Dodgshun wrote requesting that ■the match between teams drawn from .tub Waihemo and Waikouaiti counties and the Otago junior representatives might', be arranged to tab place in Dunedin—lt wa« decided to play the fixture on August 23 as a curtain-raised to the South CanterburyOtago match. It was decided to grant £30 to the Referees' Association towards the expenses incumd during the year. The use of Tahuna Park on Thursday, July 24, was granted for a match between teams representing the National Mortgage and Wright, Stephenson and Co. TWO PLAYERS SUSPENDED. The charge of misbehaviour against a player named W. Reddington, who nail been ordered off the. ground by the referee, in the Alliambra-Union matcii of July 2 was considered. The matter had been introduced at the previous meeting by a letter from Mr A. J. Brown, in which he 6tated that Reddington had been talking a great deal, and had returned to the field after being ordered to leave. In a statement to the committee Mr Brown said that the game (which was played on a Wednesday afternoon) had been getting out of control, and Reddington Had been talking a great deal, and appealeu against the other side very frequently. On one occasion ho advised )\h own side to play the man, not the ball, and for that be was ordered off the field.

The Chairman: Had you previously cautioned him?

Mr Brown: I cautioned him for talking, and then ordered him off for inciting the others to play the man. Reddington stated that lie had not played off-side, and had only appealed to the referee for a scrum on one occasion when the ball was not thrown in straight. The Chairman: The referee says you left the field and then returnee! airaiii. Why did you do that? Reddington: I was somewhat excited, and it was just on the call of time. In reply to the chairman, the Referee stated that Reddington had been ordered off the field some ten minutes before ho returned to the ground. Reddington, in reply to Mr.Priest,"stated that he had not incited the members of his team to play the man and not the ball. The player and this referee having retired the Chairman asked for a motion. Mr Sandes stated that th : s man had evidently been a source of annoyance to the referee. The most serious part of his offence consisted in returning to the field after having been ordered off. Ho moved —" That Reddington be suspended until the end of 1915." Mr Dunne seconded the motion, and it was earned unanimously. A further, letter was received from Mr Brown stating tnat in the Wednesday match between the Alhambra and Locomotive teams a, piaycr named keen had been ordered off the lield tor questioning his ruling As Keen did not appear before the committee it was decided on the motion of Mr Priest, seconded by Dr Kvans, that f.e be suspended during die pleasure of the committee. A DOUBLE PUNISHMENT. Mr Thomson said ho was very much eur-prif-ed to observe a'- man present at the match between tile Maori team and Otago on Saturday us an emergency who had beem suspended for two years lor deliberately kicking another player. The Chairman pointed out that this suspension took place four years ago, and added, that it could not bo inferred that

the man was a foul player now. Mr Thomson: The action of the Selection Committee is not in sympathy with the motion passed at the annual meeting of delegates, that a man's conduct both on and off the field had to be taken into consideration. » Mr Nelson; If Mr Thomson looks back over this player's record for the past two

years'and a-ha!f he will find that he has mado no mistakes and is now playing a thoroughly clean game. Mr Thomson reiterated his statements

that this nian's selection was not in sympathy with tho motion passed at the annual meeting, and added that ho did not'think the Selection Committee was doing ite duty. The Chairman: Tho committee of tho Rugby Union should not hold that suspension up to tho.player again. He has been sufficiently punished for his oh'ence. Mr Thomson: If a man is bad enough to kick another deliberately he chould not be chosen again for a rr;ircEontative team. The Chairman; I do hod agree with yo'u. He' might eee the error of his ways, Mr Thomson, however, persisted in his former statement that it did not make for clean sport if a man who would kick another was subsequently allowed to play. The Chairman explained that at tlie time the committee had gone lully into the case and stated that if tlie man ihad deserved a longer suspension he would have got it. 'The player had, however, served his tern, and_ that remedied the matter. He was .igain a clean player in the eyes of the committee, and it could not "now take any cognisance of what had happened in the past. Mr Thomson: There is no justification for a- man kicking another, and anyone who has done iso has no right to be playing for his province again. The Chairman: Then you must blame the committee of lour years ago, which imposed the suspension. Mr 'Thomson: I consider that tho people v,'ho selected this man as an emergency did not observe the terms of tho resolution pjescd by the delegates. Mr Stuart: I object to Mr Thomson persecuting a. player. It is like hitting a player when he is down. '1 he Chairman: I am sorry we cannot agree with Mr Thomson. Tho Selection Committee certainly has to take into con-

sideraton a man's conduct, but that must only be judged from his play during the present season.. The Selection Committee

had done that during the present season. Mr _ If tho members'of the Selection Committee will say they have done so I will be satisfied. Mr Cavanagh: I do not think Mr Thomson should ask that question. The Chairman: Mr Cavanagh 6tated at tho meeting last week that he was aware of the resolution carried at the annual meeting, and if he know of it he would act upon it. If not, tho only thing they could do was to ask that committee to resign. Mr Thomson: I only want the Selection Committee to say "Yes" or "No." Mr Cavanagh: It is not a fair thing to ask that question. I will resign if Mr Thomson thinks I am not fit for the position. The Chairman: I do not think that is ■ necessary. If I were a member of the committee I would not answer tho question. : Mr Thomson: Surely the committee can say "Yes" or "No" to the question? The Chairman: I think your only remedy is to move a vote of no-eonfidence in the committee. If not, the matter should be allowed to drop. Mr Nelson: It is not fair of Mr Thomson to bring up _ matters of this kind at all He has no right to drag up tin name of a player who has served his punishment. Sir Thomson: I will keep" doing it in the case of those who are not clean players or football will never ho cleaned no.

The Chairman: Have you anything further to say, Mr Nelson.

Mr Nelson: No, I think it is a waste of time.—(Laughter.) KIXTDHES FOB SATURDAY. The following matches have been arranged for Saturday;— First Grade—Zinguri v. University, Caledonian Ground; Kaikorai v. Port Chalmers, Ravensboume; Southern v. Alhambra, North Ground; Dimedin v. Filiates, Carisbrook No. 1; Union a bye, Second Grade—Southern v. Kaikorai, Talmna No. 1; Zingari-Riohmondv. University 40 Montccillo; Ravcnsbouruc v. Lhinedin, Opolio; University B v. Union, Carisbrook No. 2; Alhambra y. Port Chalmers, Sawyers Bay; West To-iori v. I'ii'a.tes, Outran). Third Grade.—Southern v. University, To.him.l No. 2; Union v. Kaikorai, Bishopscourt; Zingari-Riehmond v. Alhambra, Tahunn No. 3; Hi'sh School v. Pirates, Asylum; Dune-din v. Port Chalmers, Dunedin win by default. Fourth Grade.—Alhambra. v. High School, Opolio (1.30); Kaikorai v. Zingari-llich-moiifl, Asylum (1.30); Southern v. Union, Carsbrook No. 2 (1.30). Fifth Giflde.-Zingari-Richmond v. High School, Montecillo (1.30); Union v. Southc;n, Gariabrook No, • 1 (1.30); Mos-

giel v. Alhambra, Mcsgiel Recreation. Schools.—Senior—High School v. Port Chalmers.' Sawyers Bay (1.30); High School B. v. Technical, Bishopscourt (1.30). Junior —High School C v. Forbury A, Tuhuna No. 1 (1.30); Wakari v. Kensington. Bishopscourt (11 a.m.); Macandrew Road v. Andemon's Bay, Tahuna No. 2 (1.20); Musselburgh v. Ca.versh.am, Tahuna No. 1 (11 a.m.); Albany Street v. High School D, North Ground (1.30); Arthur Street v. Forbury B, Montocillo (11 a.m.). Wedkksday Matchi's. The draw for to-morrow is as follows:— Union A v. Union B, at Tabuna No. 2; Locomotive v. Alhambra, at Taliuni No. 1. OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. Tho weekly meeting of the ! Otago Football Association Executive Committee was held last evening, Mr A. M'Hutchon presiding. Willi respect to tho allegations that mud had been thrown at Mornington players when leaving the Gardens Ground at tho close of their match against Northern B, Mr Dancey, referee, wrote stating that the first he had heard of any such happening was from the newspaper reports. Nothing such as was allogoci had occurred while ha was on the field. The match was played in the friendliest manner possible. He had bad to caution a youth for making himself objectionable on tho touchline, and had had to move back from tho goal line some boys for hooting R. Jack, Momingtou's goalkeeper. At the conclusion of the game he had Changed his clothes in tho pavilion and left the ground, and he bat! seen nothing in the way. of mud-throwing. —T. Fraser, captain of Mornington A, reported through his delegate that ho and T. Young hud been struck by clods thrown by small boys.—Dunne, captain of Northern h, reported that ho bad not seen clods thrown, but he had left the field almost immediately after /tho match.—After considering the evidence it was decided not to taku further action.

With respect to Kavensbourne's appeal against the decision of the referee who awarded a penalty kick instead of a goal when tho ball had gone through the goal after it had been struck by an opposing back, the referee stated that the ball was hit by the defender before it had crossed the line, and he. had at onco whistled for a penalty kick, as, although the ball had trickled over the line, he was of opinion it would have been possible to save the goal. Ho further reported that he had had occasion to caution Liddle, of Havensbourne, and Booker, of Mornington, for threatening each other, but did not consider any other action necessary.—lt was decided that Kavensbourne's appeal bo dismissed and tho deposit refunded. In connection with Christian Brothers' appeal against the awarding of the Third Grade match, Christian Bros. v. .RoslvnWakari, to the latter, the allegations being that Hoslyn-Wakari had played Robertson, an unregistered player, 'Mr Cocking reported that Robertson was played as a 'substitute, but had not been- - registered. An effort to register him with the referee had been made at half-time.—lt was decided to award the match to Christian. Bros.

It was decided by 6 votes to 4 not to play a third round for the Second Grade. An extension of time a 9 required was granted to the special committee set up to revise the rules.

The draw'for Saturday is as follows: — First Grade—Mornington A v. Kaitangata, Culling Park, at 1.45; Northern A v. Mornington B, Culling Park; RoslynWakari v. High School Old Boys, Mornington; Maori Hill v. Northern B, Gardens; Ravensbourne v. Christian Bros., Oval No. 2. , Second Grade—Northern V. Roslyn-Wai-kari, Clear; Green Island v. High School Old Bovs, Oval No. 1, Third Grade-High School Old Boys B v. Ravensbourne, Oval No. 2, at 2 p.m.; High School Old Boys A v. Christian Bros. A, Montecillo; Christian Bros. B v. Green Island, Green Island; Mornington v. Roslyn-Wakari, Mornington; Southern v. Northern, Gardens, at 2 p.m. Fourth Grade.—Christian Bros. v. Northern, Montecillo, at 2 p.in.; Green Island A v. Green Island B, Green Island, at 2 p.m.; Mornington v. Roslyn-Wakari, Oval No. 1, at 2 p.m.; Southern v. High School Old Boys, Oval No, 3. Wednesday Matches. The matches will lie the same as set down for last Wednesday—namely, Post and Telegraph v. Southern, at Culling Park; referee, Mr A. Richards. Mornington B v. Inglis, at Mornington; referee, Mr J. Caldwell.' Mornington A a bye.