FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18591, 27 June 1922, Page 8

FOOTBALL

OTAGO RUGBY UNION. Th© weekly meeting of the Otago Rugby Football Union executive was held last night, the president (Mr Y. G. Cavanagli) being in the chair. TOWN AND COUNTRY FOOTBALL. Th© 3fecretary of the Vincent sub-union wrote stating that Tiis union had resolved that if Country Week could not be arranged this season, the next best thing it could do would bo to suggest that an Otago representative team should lour the goldfields, and, failing that, th© Otago Rugby Football Union might arrange for an Otago Club team to play Vincent County and any other counties en route. It was thought that this would tend to keep up the connection between town and country football The senior fixtres at Vincent were expected to end on July 31. The Maniototo sub-union wrote stating that it would prefer on Otago team to tour the goldfields this season. It was decided that th© chairman and Messrs Harris and White be appointed a sub-committee to go into th© matter. DEFAULT FINES REFUNDED. The secretary of the Taieri Rovers Club wrote explaining why their second grade team had defaulted on June 3 and June 17. With regard to Saturday, June 3, the match had been set down to be played at 10.30 a.m., which mad© it necessary for their team to travel on the 8.22 train. Several members had been unable to do this, as it was too early for those who had to work before leaving. Some other members had evidently preferred going to th© races and did not take the trouble of notifying the club of their intentions on the previous evening. The result was that only eight players made tho trip to Dunedin, and so the team was forced to default. On June 17 five members of the second grade team were required for tho first grade team owing to several members of tho latter being incapacitated. Several members of tho second team had also been incapacitated, and others being evidently discouraged by tho insufficient number available did not travel. One or . two players had also been attracted to the Association test match —It -was decided to accept the explanation and refund the default fines, With regard to the Y.M.C.A. fifth grade team’s default to Zingari-Richmond on Saturday, June 17, th© secretary of the Y.M.C.A. Club wrote explaining that only nine of their players had arrived to play in the match. They had been playing about 10 minutes with the Zingari coach as referee when Zingari scored a try, after which the official referee came along and awarded the match to Zingari.—lt was decided to accept the explanation and refund the default fine. ATKINSON’S TRANSFER HELD UP. H. Atkinson applied for a transfer from the Southern Club to the Dunedin Club. The chairman asked whether, if the fact that Atkinson was allowed to play for Dunedin, was likely to cause dissension in other clubs, Hie union thought it was doing tire proper thing in granting the transfer. He had heard rumours that members of other clubs would object to playing against Atkinson Mr Dunne said that be understood jhal two members of th© Southern Club had objected to Atkinson playing for them. There were 10 of the Dunedin team who were returner! soldiers, and they were the ones who were trying to push Atkinson forward. If tho Government did not punish him for being a military defaulter, it was not for the Rugby Union to do so. He did not think they had any power to refuse to grant the transfer. Th© Chairman; If returned soldiers in other clubs refused to play against Atkinson. what position is the union in then ? Mr Harris; The union will have to deal with them. The Chairman: Yes. that is the position we would put them in. Mr Wilson said he thought the whole question was whether the union had or had not power to refuse to grant the transfer. Mr M’Laren said that there was a weakness in the legislation os regards players of that description. Some course should be taken to deal with them. He thought the Government should take a similar action. Both the New Zealand union and the local union should have taken the matter up. Mr King said he understood that the Wellington Union had refused to grant a transfer in a similar case. Mr Harris said that this might be only one of several similar cases to crop up. He moved that the matter be held up in the meantime, and that a special meeting of delegates be called to go into the matter of military defaulters Mr Dunne said that he thought there would be no trouble as regards returned soldiers If Atkinson were to go to tho West Coast, he would be able to get a game there. Mr Nelson: We are not objecting to tho transfer. Mr Harris: No,’we are just trying to prevent trouble later on Mr Dunne: Will we not be out of order if wo do not grant tho transfer ? Mr Harris; No; the union has power to hold the matter up. Mr Stuart: It is tho returned soldiers in other clubs that we have to think of. Mr Dunne said that returned soldiers in the Alhambra Club had no objection to Atkinson. Mr Nelson: Get that out of your mind, Mr Dunne. Let Alhambra speak for itself. Mr Dunne: I have heard that returned soldiers in the Alhambra, Club do not object to Atkinson. . Mr Nelson: Don’t say anything about the Alhambra Club. You are only going by hearsay. ' . Mr Dunne then asked if the Dunedin Club could not appeal to have .the matter heard before the New Zealand Union. Tho Chairman reminded Mr Dunne that the Dunedin Club had nothing to do with' it. Mr Dunne: Then could not tho individual concerned apply? - Mr Harris said that there could be no appeal against the ruling of the union on matters that were purely local. Mr Brown said that he knew of on© circumstance which went to show the opinion of returned soldiers-on the matter. Atkinson had approached the Zingari Club last year and said he wanted a game. The committee, which was comprised very largely of returned soldiers, took very strong action in th© matter, and had said that if ho were admitted as a member of the club they would get out. Mr Dunne said that he was not taking up the stand he was because Atkinson was applying for a transfer to the Dunedin Club. He had taken up the same stand last year when th© matter did not , refer to any particular club. He thought that matters concerning the war should be dropped. Business people had begun baying German goods again. If the man had done wrong, they should give him a chance to pull up again. Mr Nelson said that he did not think that' they had power to refuse to grant the transfer. The rules said that a man could get a transfer by giving six months’ notice. If the union granted a transfer that night, they could see what would happen. Mr Harris’s motion was then seconded and carried, DISQUALIFICATION REMOVED. The Zingari Club applied for permission to grad© J. Douglas to their first fifteen. It was stated that this player had been disqualified by the New Zealand Union, and expelled by th© Southern Club. The New Zealand Union had removed its disqualification, Mr Dunne said that he considered tho position was this:. They would have to write to the Southern Club and see if it wished to take Douglas back. If they wished to do so, he would have to stand down for six months before he could play for Zmgan If the Southern Club would not allow him to play, his transfer would take effect immediately. Mr Harris: The union has seen its way to remove tho expulsion. Perhaps the Southern Club will do the same The Chairman said he thought such was the case. Mr Brown said it would have been necessary for the. Southern Club to have called a meeting to consider the case. The Chairman: That may have been done. It was decided that Douglas be asked to apply for a transfer, and that the Southern Club be asked if it was prepared to readmit him as a member. GENERAL. The Secretary of the Tapanui Sub-union wrote stating that trouble had arisen concerning a player who had been playing for two clubs in one week. He had played for Waikoikod on a Wednesday, and for Matauraonthe following Saturday. Both teams against which he had played had protested, and the sub-union would like to know tho Otago Union’s opinion on the matter. —The Waifcaka White Star (one of tho protesting clubs) asked for tho union’s opinion on the earn© matter.—lt was resolved to inform the Tapanui Sub-union that in the Otago Union’s opinion the player was entitled to play for Waikodkoi in the first match,- but not for Mataura in the secondl match. F. A. Finlay wrote asking if some football enthusiasts in Sawyers’ Bay would be 'allowed to form a club and enter a Fourth Grade team next year.—lt was decided vo refer the matter to tho secretary to make inquiries. The Secretary of the Y.M.C.A. Club wrote stating that it wished to withdraw its team .from the Fifth Grade competition.—The matter was referred to the Flag CommittceA. E, M’Adam wrote asking for the use of the Caledonian or Carisbrook Ground on the afternoon of Monday, July 3, for a match between the staffs of the Trustees, Executors, and Agency Company and the Perpetual Trustees, Estate; and Agency Company.— Referred to the Flag Committee. The Second Grade Southern player, who was “ordered off” in the match against Training College on June 17 for questioning the referee’s decision and using obscene language, appeared before the union.—He said that h© had considered the referee’s ruling a “hit hard,” and had said ao. On

being ordered off he had sworn at the referee. —It was decided to suspend the player for four playing Saturdays. It was resolved that the full round of matches bo played on Saturday—Senior '■ Grade games as for last Saturday, and Junior matches according to the original draw. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. The following is the draw for Saturday, with grounds and referees; First Grade —Pirates v. Southern, Carisbrook (Mr R. MTvenzie); Zingari v. ’Varsity B, Caledonian (Mr A. Eekhold); Alhambra, v. Port, Port (Mr B. Watson); ’Varsity A v. Union, Tahuna 1 (Mr A. Wallace); Taieri Rovers v. Dunedin, Mosgiel (Mr G. MTveuzie). Second Grade.—Pirates B v. Southern, Bathgate (Mr J. Sutherland); Ravensbourne v. Taieri Rovers, Tahilna 3 (Mr C. Williams) ; Zingari v West Taieri, Outram (Mr E. Clancy); Pirates A v. Training College, Tahuna 2 (Mr A. ‘ Morrison); Dunedin v. Port, Asylum (Mr R. Herd); ’Varsity v. Alhambra, Opoho (Mr J. Himburg); Union v. Kaikorai, Bishopscourt (Mr W. Rennick). Third Grade.—.Section I: Taieri Ravers v. Pirates A, Oval 1 (Mr P. S. Perrett); Southern v. Union, North Ground (Mr E Whittaker) ; Alhambra v, ’Varsity, Oval 2 (Mr A. G. Haub); Kaikorai v. Zingari A, Montecillo (Mr G. Marston) Section II: Port v. Pirates B, Ravensbourne 1 (Mr W. Connor); Green Isla'nd v. Zingari B, Alexandra (Mr J. Aitcheson); Dunedin v. High School, Oval 3 (Mr F. Percy); Training College a bye. Fourth Grade.—Section I: Zingari A v. Port, Port, 1.45 (Mr J. Hayes); Southern v. Union, Oval 1, 1.30 (Mr J. Torrance); Pirates A v Taieri Rovers, Mosgiel, 2 p.m. (Mr T. Dallas); Dunedin B v. Alhambra,. Oval 2, 1.30 p.m. (Mr L. Galbraith); Kaikorai v. High. School A, Bishopscourt, 1.30 p.m. (Mr H. Stevens) Section II; Kaikorai B v Green Island, Green Island, 1.30 (Mr W. Jerkins); Y M.C.A. v. Pirates B, Tahuna 1, I. (Mr J. M'Combie); Technical v. M’Glashan, Asylum, 1.30 (Mr J. Higginson);. Dunedin A v. High School C, Tahuna 2, 1.30 (Mr J. Dowland); Ravensbourne v. High School B, Ravensbourne,' 1.30 (Mr G. Packer); Zingari B a bye. Fifth Grade.—Zingari A v. Alhambra B, Onoho, 1.30 (Mr J. Coulter); Technical v. High School F, Montecillo, 130 (Rev. H. Maclean); Dunedin v. High School D Tahuna 3, 1.30 (Mr H. Alexander);'Zingari B v. Ravensbourne, Ravensbourne, 1.30 (Mr Facer); Alhambra A v. Kaikorai, Oval 3, 1.30 (Mr 1. Grant); Southern v. High School E, Bathgate, 1.30 (Mr R. Binder); Green Island y. i.M.C.A, Green Island; Green Island by default. OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. Hie weekly meeting of the executive of the 0.F.A., held last evening, was attended by Messrs Milburn, M'lnnes, Scott, Ruddiman, Ramage, M’Cloy, Irvine, Deuehrass, M’Kenzie. An apology was from Mr E. J. Anderson, who was unable to attend through ; l'ness. Mr J. Milburn was elected to the chair. Letters were received from Messrs Roy, Johnston, Albert Cohen, R. Benndll, thanking the executive for appreciative remarks for their efforts in connection with the visit of the Australian team, and congratulating the association on the manner in which the arrangements for the matches were carried out. The Hon. Secretary of the Canterbury Football Association wrote asking whether it would be possible for Otago to send a representative team to Christchurch this season, and asking for the probable date. —Received; and 'consideration deferred for one week. The Secretary of the Maori Hill Football Club advised that his club had been unable to fulfil their engagement at Kaitangata' last Saturday.—Received.—Mr Scott pointed out. that town clubs were too prone to default to Kaitangata Clubs, and his motion to tho effect that the Maori Hill bo informed that the association disapproved of th© action of the Maori Hill Club was carried. The Hon. Secretary of the Spreydon Association Football Club wrote asking whether tho executive could arrange for a Dunedin Third Grade team to play a match against his club, some time in August.—Received and referred to Southern Club to arrange with their Third Grade team. In connection with the default of Taieri Club on Saturday, the secretary of the club wrote stating that this happened through a misunderstanding—a false report that, tho matches had been postponed having been given to members of the team whilst on their way to catch tho train—and asked if the association' could see their way to hifve tho match played later on.—Received. —The feeling of the executive was that the Taieri Club had been placed in an unfortunate position, and it was decided to write to the Momington Club asking whether they would be willing, to play tho match later on in the season, if necessary. A request was received from Kaitangata for a further match with a combined Otago team, and it was agreed to arrange a match if possible later on in the season. Various accounts, in ’connection with the Australian tour were dealt with and passed for payment. It was decided to grant a transfer to J. Jeffries from Maori Hill to Taieri Club, subject to clearance from the former club being forthcoming. PRESENTATION OF MR BAIT’S MEDAL. The Chairman, in presenting a gold medal suitably inscribed, to Mr J. Race, captain of the Otago team which played Australia, stated it was given for the most meritorious player on tho Otago side. There was no difference of Opinion that Mr Race had worthily earned it by his play, and it was very gratifying to ' know that he had learnt th© game locally. In handing tho medal to Mr Race, Hie chairman hoped the recipient would long bo spared to play Association -football.—(Applause.) Mr Race briefly returned thanks, and stated that he played purely and simply for the game’s sake, and had enjoyed the Australian v. Otago match more than any other he had playod in. , .... The following is the draw for Saturday: First Grade.—Y.M.C.A. v. Northern, Gardens at 2.45; Taieri v. Mount Zion, Kai(tangata; Kaitangata v. Steacliff, Culling Park, at 1.15; Maori Hill v. Mornington, Mornington, at 2.45; Southern v. Old Boys, Culling Park, at 2.45. 1 Second Grade.—Second round redrawn owing to withdrawal of Maori Hill. Southern v, Christian Brothers. Oval No. 3, at 2.45; Mornington v. Waitati. Mornington, at 1.30; Northern v. Old Boys, Oval No. 2, at 2.45. Third Grade.—Northern A v. Taieri, Mosgiel at 3 p.m.; Momington v. Christian Brothers, Asylum, at 2.45; Northern B.v. Old Boys, Oval No. 2, at 1.30; Technical College Old Boys v. High School, Oval No. 3 at 2.45; Y.M.C.A. v. Southern A, Oval No. 3, at 1.30; Maori Hill v. Southern B, Clear, at 2.45. Fourth Grade.—Post and Telegraph v. High School, Asylum, at 1.30; Southern B v. Northern, Gardens, at 1.30; Southern A v. Mornington, St. Kilda No. 2, at 2.45; Technical Old Boys v. Maori Hill, Clear, at 1.30. Fifth Grade.—High School A v. Southern, Oval No. 1, at 1.30; High School B v. Technical College A, Montecillo, at 1.30; High School C v. Christian Brothers, St. Kilda No. 1, at 2.45; Technical College B v. Mornington, Montecillo, at 2.45.