RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 20522, 26 June 1928, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SOUTHLAND UNION MEETS. PIRATES APPEAL AGAINST SECOND GRADE RESULT. The Southland Rugby Union met last evening, Mr D. K. Torrance presiding over the following members: Messrs A. H. Courtise, C. A. Davis, A. J. Geddes, L. Lopdell, F. Daubney, I. G. McLennan. P. V. Rice, W. Baird, A. H. Stott, and W. Robison. Advice was received confirming W Clark's clearance from the Pioneer Club (Auckland' to Star Club. D. Sullivan’s application for reinstatement to Rugby Union football was referred back from the New Zealand Rugby Union for further particulars.—Referred to applicant. J. McKinnon was granted a transfer from Riverton Club to the Invercargill Club. APPEAL UPHELD. The Pirates Club wrote claiming a draw for the result of the second grade match Pirates v. Mansi on June 16. The result of the game favoured Marist by nine points to six, but it was claimed that the referee (Mr G. Dennis' had awarded Pirates a penalty goal and altered his decision later on the appeal of the Marist players. The matter was held over last week pending a report from the referee. The report, which came before the union last evening was as follows: —“I awarded a free kick to Pirates and a Pirated player took the kick at goal. The touch judges were in position behind the posts and on the ball going through the air, I immediately looked to the touch judges for their decision. Mr Harris, one of the touch judges, appeared to signal a goal and as I thought in my opinion that the ball had travelled between the posts, I blew my whistle for a goal. One of the Marist players approached me and stated that both touch judges declared no goal. I immediately disallowed the goal and ordered the kick-off to be taken at the twenty-five line. Apparently I mistook the action of the touch judges when leaving the posts, to signify that a goal had been registered. However, in my opinion the ball travelled between' the posts.”

Members agreed that the matter was one of fact and the referee’s original decision would have to stand. It was decided to uphold Pirates appeal and award a draw as the result of the game. The New Zealand Rugby Union wrote advising that O. G. Davis’* (Eastern District) application for reinstatement to Rugby Union football had been approved.

The Western District Sub-Union wrote lodging a challenge to the holders (Eastern) of the Sports Trust trophy.—Referred to Eastern Sub-Union. SATURDAY’S FIXTURES. SENIOR. Star v. Pirates, Kugby Park No. 1, 2.30 p.m. Invercargill v. Southern Rugby Park No. 2,2 pan. JUNIOR. All postponed games set down for June 23 to be played*