SCORES TO BE ACCEPTED

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 12

SCORES TO BE ACCEPTED

SOUTHLAND’S WIN IN AUCKLAND GAME

RUGBY UNION DISCUSSES REFEREE’S ACTION

(Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, September 13. The manner in which Southland won its match against Auckland last Saturday was discussed at a meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union’s management committee tonight, following an inquiry by Mr G. Orrell whether it was intended to question the validity of the final scores.

The chairman (Mr Arthur Baker) said it might be possible to state a hypothetical case to set before the New Zealand Rugby Union for the guidance of referees and players to ascertain whether it was legal for a kicker to handle the ball twice on being awarded a second kick at goal following a try. Mr J. Sweeney said the Auckland Rugby Referees’ Association had discussed the point at its meeting on Monday and was of the opinion that the referee was wrong in altering his decision. Mr Orrell: Is this union going to accept the scores of 14-16 as they stand? Members: Yes. Mr Orrell: According to the Referees’ Association, the referee was wrong and therefore the scores should be 14-all. The chairman: As far as I am concerned, the scores were 16-14 and it stays at that. Mr Meek said there should be no question of appeal as the Auckland team had come out of the affair with flying colours. A motion by Mr Baker that the case be stated to the New Zealand Rugby Union in general terms as a guide to players and referees in the future was defeated.

Mr Orrell: Are we quite definite that we are not going to appeal? Further discussion, was prevented when the chairman moved that the matter be declared closed, this being carried.