RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 20495, 25 May 1928, Page 4

RUGBY

EASTERN DISTRICT SUB-UNION. EXECUTIVE MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) At last night’s meeting of the management committee of the Eastern District Sub-union there were present Messrs G. Whittingham (chair), F. Wallis senr, F. Murray, I. Martin, H. G. Wallis, R. Robertson, E. M. Christie, J. W. Aitken, C. D. McConnell, R. S. Green, R. Bhiir and M. Fitzgerald. CORR ESPON DEN CE. Mr D. Mulvey, referee in the first grade match between Wyndham and Mataura, at Wyndham, on Wednesday, reported that he had had occasion to order off Gibb—a Wyndham player for striking Shaw, of the Mat aura team. The provocation seemed to be that Shaw, in falling, protected himself by catching Gibb momentarily round the legs, the latter player not being in possession of the ball, but was attempting to pick it up close to the touchline. He fumbled the ball, then turned, and struck Shaw on the chest with closed fist. He, the referee, was within two feet of the occurrence. Gibb appeared before the meeting and stated that he was collaring Shaw, who seemed to resent it. Shaw struck him on the chest and he retaliated. The referee said that he had followed the play closely, and although Gibb stated that he had tackled Shaw he did not think that this could have been so. He saw Shaw fall against Gibb, and as Shaw rose Gibb struck him on the chest. The blow may not have been very severe, but the intention was deliberate. Worse things than this had happened during the match, however, but he was unable to catch the offenders. Mr Fitzgerald moved that Gibb be severely cautioned. He said that he did so because Gibb had come forward and admitted having been at fault. This was seconded by Mr I. Martin and carried. Members expressed appreciation of the referee’s action in bringing the matter before the Sub-union. Mr D. Mulvey reported that the Wyndham v. Mataura first grade fixture on Wednesday did not commence until 3.25 p.m. owing to the late arrival of the Wyndham team. The result was that the match was concluded in semi-darkness. He understood the difficulty of the Wyndham team in regard to one or two players, but on its own ground ti should be able to turn out earlier than 3.25 p.m. At 3.15 only three Wyndham players were on the ground.—lt was decided to draw the attention of clubs to the late starting and set down future matches to commence at 2.45 p.m. A letter was received from the Edendale Club in' regard to a complaint made by the Mataura Club at a meeting of the Subunion on Thursday last. The club took exception to the manner in which the complaint was made and aiso to the wording of the reports in the Press. The complaint was groundless, and in any case the club felt that it was hardly politic to let it go to the Press as expressed. With reference to Sinclair, the player of whom the Mataura Club complained, he was only 16 years of age, and apart from having played all third grade matches for Edendale, he had never previously played for any but his school teams. Mr Blair said the statement that the club had included first grade players in its third grade team cast a slur upon the club. * The chairman stated that the Mataura Club had merely brought the matter forward as a complaint with the object of gaining information and had not entered a protest. The Edendale Club’s explanation was accepted. The secretary of the Southland Union advised that he had forwarded the application of W. H. Perkins for admission to Rugby Union football, on to the New Zealand Rugby Union for approval.—Received. The Wyndham Town Board advised that the Sub-union’s application for permission to, charge admission to the Wyndham ground on May 23, June 20 and July 4 had been granted. The Albion Club advised that its secondgrade team had been unable to fulfil its fixture with the Mataura Club owing to insufficient players being available. Mr McConnell suggested that they should overlook the lapse on this occasion as the Albion Club had made an honest attempt to advise Mataura of the position. The Mataura Club was willing to play Albion later if Albion could raise a team. Mr F. Wallis said the Albion Club should definitely advise the Sub-union whether its second grade team intended to continue in the competition. It was decided to hold the matter over until next meeting and to fine the Albion Club 10/-. GENERAL. It was decided to continue the club fixtures on May 30 and June 6 and to suggest June 13 to the Central Sub union as a suitable date for its challenge match for the Sports Trust Cup. The arrangement of next Wednesday’s second grade fixtures was left to the chairman, secretary and Mr F. Wallis.