RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22630, 23 July 1935, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TO THE EDITOR Sir,— Your correspondent, Mr F. M'Kay, in a letter in this morning’s Daily Times, to which you add a pertinent footnote, complains of the competency of the referee in the SouthernZingari match. Doubtless, the referee had justification for the drastic step which he took But it must have been obvious to nil the spectators that had the referee not ordered Edwards off the field the Southern team would not have won the match. A reconstruction of the backs saw Bolton in the five-eighths line, and that change was directly responsible for Southern securing the try which meant a win for that aide. As to the righte or wrongs which led to Edwards leaving the field, that side is adequately disposed of in your footnote. In the same match there was an incident in full view of the grand stand that calls for comment. The line umpire —I do not know him, nor whether he was a Southern supporter—thought fit to shake hands with Edwards as he came off the field. I take it that he was an official of the game, and as such his action was an insult to the referee, and contrary to the canons of good taste. Ho also showed a totally irresponsible idea of the position he was occupying. I suppose members of the Rugby Union will not lose the opportunity of advising him just how far he can go.—l am. etc; Onlooker, -i