FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16071, 12 May 1914, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO RUGBY UNION.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES.

The weekly meeting of the committee of the Otago Rugby Union was held last night; present—Messrs H. Ha iris (chairman), Miscall, Stewart, Dunne, Brown, M'Taggart, Priest, White, Sandce, Nelson, Cavanagh, and Dr Evans. The Maniototo and Vincent Sub-unions wrote advising the union that the proposal to play a combined team from these countieS against Otago in Show Week would be' impracticable, for the reason that the selectors would not be a-ble to ascertain the best available players. They suggested that the two < counties' representative players be asked to meet in Dunedin during Show Week.—lt was decided to ask both suib-unions to arrange to have their teams in Dunedin to play on Monday, June'l, and to advise them that, if this arrangement fell in with their view, a combined team representing . both 6ub-unions would play Otago on June 3. Mr W. Morgan, in the Fifth Grade match Union v. Zingari-Richmond, played on the Asylum Ground on Saturday last, wrote reporting having ordered Smith, of the latter team, off the field for striking an opposing player. Ho considered that this' offcnce required more than a caution.— It .'was decided to ask Mr Morgan and. the players concerned to attend! the next meeting_ of the committee. ' The Technical School having withdrawn from the Fourth Grade competition, it was decided to re-draw the fixtures for thus championship. The Anglican Harriers Club wrote asking for the use of Tahuna Park running track on. Saturday.—The request was granted, the club to be informed that the race would not have to- be run on the field of play or in any way interfere with the games in progress. A similar application from the Y.M.C.A. Harrier Club for the use of the track on the following Saturday was granted. The exDlanations of W. Tansey and D., Harris for not playing in the North v.' South match were accepted as satisfactory.

The Secretary was instructed to -write to all olubs whose teams had defaulted in certain of the grade fixtures, asking for explanations as to the causo. The Secretary reported that bo far there had only been two" entries received for the Wednesday competition.—Mr Nelson said if it was only given out that, entries for this competition would close on a certain data there would be quite a number of entries. He moved—" That entries close on Thursday,-' May 14,' at 5 p.m."—Mr , Brown seconded the motion-, which was carried.

The following fixtures were arranged for Saturday in the various grades , list Grade.—Dunedin v. _ Kaikorai, Bishopscourt; University v. Zingari-Rich-mond, Carisbrook; Port Chalmers , v.' Southern, Port Chalmers; Union v. Alhambra, Opoho; Pirates, a bye. Second Grade.—Zingari-Richmond v. West Taieri, Outram; Union v. Taieri Rovers, Mosgiel Recreation; Southern v. University B, Bathgate Park; Pirates v r " Dunedin, Tahuna No. 1; Ravensbourne v. Kaikorai, Ravensbourne; Port Chalmers v. University A, Sawyer's Bay; Alhambra, a bye.- v.\ * v ■ ' Third Grade.—Southern v. High School, Bathgate Park, 1.30; Zingari-Richmond v. Dunedin, Montecillo; Alhambra v. Union, North Ground• v. University, Tahuna .No. 2; Kaikorai, a bye. Fifth Grade. —Ravensbourne v. Kaikorai, Asylum; Zingari-Richmond v. Alhambra A, Asylum, 1.30; Union v. Southern, Monte--oillo, -1.30; Alliiambra.B v. High School, Opoho, 1.30; Port Chalmers, a bye* School Matches. —Senior: High Sohool B v. Technical, Bishopscourt, 1.30. Junior: Forbiiry v. Anderson Bay, Tahuna 'No. 1, 1.30 ; Musselburgh v. Albany, Street, Carisbrook, 1.30; Arthur Street,- v. Cavereham, Tahuna No. 3, 1.30; 'Kensington v. Macandrew Road, Tahiuna- No. 2, 1.30; High School D v. High School C, to be played after vacation.' ( SOUTH OTAGO MATCHES. . The flag matches opened in South Otago | on . Saturday, Clutha playing Toko at Milton, ' and Owaka meeting Crescent at Balclutha. 1 , - I , ' Clutha v. Toko.' A few minutes after starting Toko got into an attacking position, and through injudicious, play .on the part of the Clutha five-eighths, Cunningham grot a soft score for Milton; S. Po'wley failed to convert. Beattie, the Reds' captain, retaliated by kicking two goals, one being from a very difficult angle Towards the conclusion of the first spell Hutton secured at half-way, dodged thrdugh the ruck, and when clear passed :to' Good, who had an unopposed run, to behind the ■ posts. Beattie failed to goal. .- ■ : '• The second spell was rather dragging. In this ,the local team made a better showing, and ;once or twice got within striking distance,'but Clutha did most of the attacking, in this as well as the first spell. There was no .further score,,'and the game ended Clutha' • ... ... 9 points. Toko - ... ... ... . ... ... 3 points. Cbescent v. Owaka. . The newly-formed Crescent Club was unfortunate- .in being pitted against. the redoubtable Owaka team for the first match, but despite the fact that they lacked combination ; and training they made a fair showing.'' There was no 6core in the first spell, although Owaka had several kicks at goal from penalties. Shortly after the resumption Paterson goaled from a mark by D. White. Owaka then assumed the aggressive for the remainder of the game. From a passing rush by Paterson, Fea, To bin, end Wilson, the latter scored, Paterson failing with the attempt at' goal. Shortly before time H. White scored behind the posts after a good run, Wilson converting. The fame, which was satisfactorily controlled y; Mr P. C. Hislop, thus ended Owaka ... ... 11 points. Orescent ... ... Nil

A meeting of the South Otago Union was held in Balclutha on Saturday evening. It was decided to donate footballs to Milton, Kaitangata, Clinton, and Balclutha Schools! The bordiigh council's recommendations in regard to control and maintenance of the Balclutha Caledonian/ Ground were agreed to. Fixtures for the first round, Senior Grade, 'were revised as follows.—May 26, Crescent v. Clinton, at Clinton; May 23, Clutha v. Owaka, at Balclutha; May 30, Clinton v. Milton, at Milton, Cluttia v. Crescent, at the Crescent; June 13, Crescent v. Milton, at the Crescent; Clutha v. Clinton, at, Clinton; June 20, Owaka v. Milton, at Balclutha; July 3, Owaka v. Clintpn, at Balclutha. The Second Grade fixtures were held over in the meantime. . v WEDNESDAY GAME. The Union Wednesday, team and the Chemists' and Druggists' team will hold a combined , final practice on the North Ground to-morrow at 2.45 p.m. 'NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION. Messrs H. Harris (president of the Otago Rugby Union) and W. J. Wilson will leave for Wellington to-day to attend the annual meeting of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, to :bo held on Thursday. OTAGO ASSOCIATION. . The weekly meeting of the Otago Football Association Executive Committee • was hejd last evening, there being present Messrs A. M'Hutchon (chairman), B. Connor, John Haig, Rae, Martin, J. Connor, , Beeby, Weston, Sinclair, James Haig, Wilson, Cocking, and Sligo, With reference to'.-the -High School Old Boys protest' that a. goal scored by them in • the match against Roslyn-Wakati was disallowed, the referee (Mr M'Ginrrray) wrote stating that,.' in His opinion, the ball had not crossed tho goal lino in the caeo in •.question, and, consequently, he, could

not award a goal.—Resolved that tho appeal bo dismissed, and. the deposit refunded, Mr Rao dissenting to the dismissal of the appeal. Mr J. Preston, referee in the match Maori Hill v. Mornington B, reported having ordered Kerrigan, of tho former team, oh the field for usmg bad language. Kerrigan tailed to appear before the committee, and it was decided that be suspended until he appeared before the committee. KAITANGATA MATTEBS. Mr Preston, referee in the match Kaitangata v. Christian Brothers, attended in connection with charges against G. Richardson. The Chairman explained that G. Richardson had denied using bad language, | and had stated that it was a brother, and not he, who had called upon the Kaitangata players to leave the field. The Chairman asked Mr Preston if ho was clear as to the identity of G Richardson. Mr Preston said he was , quite certain .that G. Richardson, playing centre-forward, had-incited tho Kaitangata players to leave the field, and ; had used bad language. He had not hoard the other Richardson call the Kaitangata players off the field.—ln reply to Mr Wilson, the referee stated that the ball was kicked by G. Richardson before the men were called off the field.—Mr Wilson stated that Mr Preston must have unwittingly made a mistake, as when the ball was kicked ,he (Mr Wilson) was trying to persuade the Kaitangata players, including the captain, J. Richardson, not to leave the field. He thought Mr Preston had picked on the wrong man.—The Chairman pointed out that the referee adhered to fiis statements, and as the referee's statement of fact was accepted, the offences must be regarded as proved. Mr Wilson moved—"That the charge against G. Richardson, of inciting players to leave the field, be dismissed; that, for kicking the ball in defiance of the referee, his name be placed on the list of cautioned players." He proceeded to contend that the charge of bad language could not be admitted, as' it had not been made in the referee's original report, but had been drawn out by the chairman when crossexamining the referee. .The Chairman: I .have already ruled that the charge is admissible. You had the opportunity of moving a motion of dissent, and it is had graco on your part to persistently question the ruling. Mr Wilson: Ido so because the matter may go to the Ne;v Zealand Football As- I sociation if the ruling is adhered to. Mr Weston seconded the motion. Mr Sinclair stated that, to deal thus with a player guilty of three such offences, was to • invite ridicule upon the association's judgment. The player had' already * been under suspension for one playing Saturday. He would move as an amendment—"That Richardson be suspended for two further playing Saturdays." Mr Cocking seconded the amendment. Mr Wilson mentioned that the player in question had never been re-ported before. He pleaded for leniency. Tile amendment was carried by nine votes to two. •

Joseph Richardson, captain of the Kaitangata Club, who had been requested to attend m connection with the same match, wrote regretting that his work would not permit of his attending. In the course of his fetter he expressed the opinion that he should have been advised of the reason. for his being called to attend the meeting. "He assumed from the newspaper repijrt that he was desired to answer a question as to why. he instructed his team to„ leave the field. He admitted he had done wrong in calling off the players, but he had done it as a protest against the decisions of the referee, who, in his opinion, was ncrt ruling the game properly. He had not consulted his touchline umpires. He asked if the referee was not liable to make mistakes, and should he not have first cautioned Rarity instead of ordering him off. On three occasions he had appealed fruitlessly for free kicks. At half-time the referee had admitted that Kaitangata should have had free kicks, but he not blown his whistle because Kaitangata had the advantage of the ball. —The Secretary produced a oopy of his wire instructing the secretary of the Kaitangata. Club to instruct J. Richardson to attend the meeting on Monday night re inciting players to leave the field.—The Chairman pointed out that J. Richardson must therefore have been aware of the - reason his attendance was required.—On the motion t of Mr Sinclair, seconded by Mr Cocking, it was resolved—" That J. Richardson's apology be accepted, and . that he. be 'warned against disputing referees' decisions." GENEIUL. A letter was received from the Secretary, of the Mosgiel Club stating that the Mosgiel ground was in good playing order, and asking for matches.—Referred to the Match Committee. The Secretary of the Southern Club asked whether the result of the match between his club and .Normanby wou'ld stand, a substitute referee having acted owing to the non-arrival of. the appointee.—Result to stand. An application from the Wednesday Association for the use of the Caledonian Ground for a match between Southern and Mornington A on Wednesday next was granted. . It .was decided to request players not to use the turf when training on the Caledonian C-round. The draw for Saturday is as follows:— Seniors. —Kaitangata v. Ravensbourne, at .Kaitangata; Maori Hill v. High School, at Culling Park; Green Island v. Northern, at Gardens; Mornington A v. Christian-Bro-thora. at Mornington; Roslyn-Wa.ka.ri v. Mornington B, at Caledonian Ground. . Second Grade. —Roslyn-Wakari v. Mornington, at Asylum Ground; Green Island v. High Sohool, at Oval No. 1, 3 p.m.; Maori Hill v. Normanby North End, at the Clear; Roslyn-Wakari B v. Northern, at Mosgiel. Third Grade. —High School v. Mornington, at Asylum Ground, 2 0.m.; Ravensbourne v. Chrisitiaif Brothers A, "at Ravensbourne; Northern v. Christian Brothers B, at Gardens, 2 p.m.;; Green' Island v. Southern, at Culling Park, 2'p.m. Fourth Grade.—High Sohool B v. Mornington, at Mornington, 2 p.m.; RoslynWakari v. High School A, at Tramshcds; Green Island v. Northern, at Oval No. 2; Maori Hill v. Christian Brothers, at Clear, 2 p.m.; Southernvy. Christian Brothers B, at Oval No. 1. 2 p.m. School Matches.—A Grade: Christian Bros. v. High Street, Caledonian, 2 p.m.; Morningtoii 'v. George Street, Mornington, 1 p.m.: North-East Valley v. Technical, Clear, 1 p.m.; High School, a bye. B Grade : Christian Bros. A v. Moray Place, Oval, 10.30 (Mr Moynihan); Kaikorai v. Christian Bros. B, Gardens, 1 p.m.; Green Island v. Normal A, Green Island, 10 a.m.; Maori Hill v. High School B. Asylum, 1 p.m. C, Grade: Christian Bros. v. Ravensbourne, Gardens. 9.30 a.m.; Mornington v. High Sreet B, Oval, 10.30 a.m.; St. Patrick's v": Normal, Oval, 2 p.m. ; St. Clair, a bye.

WEDNESDAY MATCHES. 'The following is the draw for Wednesday—Southern v. Mornington A, at Caledonian Ground (if available; referee, Mr W. R. M'Kenzie); Tramwaye v. Poet and Telegraph, at Oval (referee, Mr J. Betting); Inglk "vv Mornington B, fat Mornington (referee, Mr A. Botting).