NOTES BY FORWARD.
* . • The fifteenth annual match between the Association representatives of England and Ireland was played at Belfast on March 7. The remit was looked on in tbe light of a certainty for the visitere, but the Hibernians gave their opponents a gome that was ac good as it w.as Dnexpeeted, and England 'won by two goals to nothing.
' . ' On the previous Saturday the international match, under the Socksr code, between Ireland and Wales eventuated at Wrexb*m,' and "the Principality gained a deoisive victory by six goals -to one.
* . * The annual international match Ireland v. Wales wa« played on, March 14 at Dublin, and was won by Ireland by a goal and a try (8 points) to a dropped goal (four points). The result was hailed with unbounded delight by the partisans of the home players, as the Irish team, having previously beaten En'gUnd and drawn with Scotlaud, gamed for their country the distinction — twice within three years — of being tho champion nation. There was no score in the first half, but in the second spell the Irish forwards gave a splendid exhibition, knd it was by their efforts that their side won.
' . ' On th^ same date the twenty-third eacounter under Rugby rules between England and Scotland took place at Glasgow, aud resulted in a fourth successive victory for Scotland, enabling her to draw level with England in the matter of wins, seven of which have now fallen to each nation. The English team, moreover, obtained the severest reverse they have yet obtained in any international match, Scotland winning by a goal and two tries (11 points) tono'hing. The losers are said to have' been inferior at every, department—excepting perhaps at baok — and it is remarked that as four of the Scotch team are net yet out of their teens, they should be at the service of their country for several years.
* . * Yet a third international match was played pn March 14, this being that under Association rules between Wales and England. The match was played at Cardiff, and drew a large gate, but the result cannot have been very satisfactory to the spectators, inasmuch as the home team, being completely outplayed, were defeated by nine goals to one.
• . • I take it that the notice of motion given by Mr Bate at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union to the effect " that the rules as to profesiionaliim and delegation of powers v?hich may from time to lime be made applicable to the English Rugby Union shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the New Zealand Rugby Union " is intended to enable the New Zealand Union to dele gate to affiliated unions the power to conduct investigations into cases of snepeoted professionalism. lam not sure that the Adoption of Mr Bate's proposal will attain the object in view. The English Rugby Union, which . has framed and adopted the rules ia question, may delegate to- ." recognised governing bodies— such at countiei, union of counties, und universities—^powers to act for it in such cases and nnder suob regulations as it may Seterafoft"; bol tin committee ef the parent
union have laid it down that these " recognised governing bodies " have not the right to further .delegate any of these powers. ,Ib seems to me that the wiser, course to adopt, and the one that would give effect to what I asßume to be Mr Bate's object, would be for the New Zealand Union to join in the request which 1 understand the Ota^o Union has made to the Bng'ish .Rugby Union for the delegation to provincial unions in the* colony of the powers that wera I granted to them under the rules as to professionalism that were in forca previous to the adoption of the new regulations at the September meeting of the English Union last year.
' . * The 'position at present is, I imagine, 'that the rules relating to professionalism which have been adopted by the Esglish Union and which are contained in that body's official publication are binding upon all clubs and players connected with unions that are affiliated to the parent union. In this colony the New Zealand | union is affiliated to the English Utvon, and I through it the unions that are affiliated to it are I bound by tha laws and regulations that are from 'time to -time framed by the English Union. There are one or two unions in the colony, such 1 as the Otago Union, which also are directly coni neoted with the Euglisb Unioa. That being so, the rules as to professionalism must be observed under the 'pain of the penalties that are specified for infringements. If that is conceded, it is necessary that conside aMon should be given to the fact that three seven-aside tournaments, which will involve to participants therein an infringement of the rules in question, havb been announced for the Queen's Birthday. One of them is being promoted.by the Alexandra Club in this provincial district, and some of the clubs in Central Otago have Intimated their intention to send teams. The other two tournaments are being arranged by the South Canterbury Union — one beiug for senior and the other for junior teams— and programmes giving particulars have been circulated broadcast.
*-. * So that there may be no doubt upon the subject, I quote rules bearing on the subject. "Playing on any ground where gate money is taken (a) during the cloae season, (b) in any match or contest where it is previously agreed thit less than 15 players on each side shall take part," is declared to be an act of professionalism by an individual, and taking gate money at any ground under similar circumstances is declared to be an act of professionalism by a club or other organisation. These are regarded as minor offences, and the penalty prescribed is suspension during the pleasure of the union. The necessity for regarding such acts as acts of professionalism has , probobly arisen at Horne — has certainly arisen, or else there would have been no provision in | the rules as to professionalism dealing with seven a-side matches ; but there hts certainly been no suoh necessity in this colony, aud it seems to me unfortunate that action should have been taken to prohibit these matches. Still, there is the prohibition contained in the rules, and I do not quite see how it is to be evaded. There m*y be a loop-hole of escape. If so, I shall be pleased to have it pointed out. ' . ' The New Zealand Mail says that a rumour current last year has been revived that Eeogh is going to Wellington to play for Petone. " '
• . • In accordance with the request of the Wellington Union it was desided, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union, to notify the O.R F.U. of the disqualification of an exWellingtou player who is now in Dunedin.
• . • At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Uaioa, the delegate from theßuller Union inquired whether it wss intended to arrange a match between the Buller and Queenslaud tearcu, and the Ch*irm»n replied that the , matter would not be lost sight of when the arrangements for the tour were being made. It is a pity that the Buller Union should be fooled in this way. There is not the remotest likelihood of the Queensland team being seen on the 'West Coast.
■. ■ The annual general meeting of the Ofcago Referees' Association was held last week. The, report and balance sheet were read and adopted, the report showing that during the past year . the association had appointed as many as 160 referees. The following office-bearers ~wero elected for the present year : — President,* Mr J R. Montgomery ; vicVpreiident, Mr D. K. Torrance ; hen. secretary, Mr J. R. M'Connochie ; committee — Mtssrs Campbell, Foster, Haydon, and Falconer. Mr Torrance was elected a delegate to attend the conference of referees at Wellington. Messrs D. K. Torrance, J. M'Cleary, R. Isaacs, A Esqailant, and J. A. Valentine were nomioat*d mtmbers of. the association.
• . • It was decided at a matting of the FootballAfsociation "That this association recognise the Wednesday teams as teams of clubs affiliated with this association, and place them on the same footing as thoae teams playing on Saturdays, providing always that said teams belong to clubs affiliated to this association."
' . ' The various competitions at Christchurch were advanced another stage on Saturday in cold, bleak weather. The senior gtmes were in most cases fairly even, and no very large scoring was. noted. The game at Woodend between Linwood and the N'fcu Ahuriri team is said to have been of the roughest possible nature. The .Linwood won by 13 points to 4. The Albion beat Sydenham by "B points to 3; Christchurch defeated East Christchurch by 11 points to 5 ; Merivale beat Canterbury College by 9 point* to nothing.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 36
Word Count
1,462NOTES BY FORWARD. Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 36
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