PUTTING BALL IN SCRUM

Southland Times, Issue 24113, 30 April 1940, Page 9

PUTTING BALL IN SCRUM

SOUTHLAND UNION’S DECISION REFEREE TO OFFICIATE IN FUTURE As the result of a decision made by the Southland Rugby Union last night referees in all club games this season will put the ball in the scrum. Mem-, bers agreed that at least 75 per cent, of the stoppages in games arose from scrum infringements and that much trouble would be avoided if referees put the ball in the scrum. was reported that four of the six fifth grade teams—Pirates, Invercargill, High School and Technical College—fielded in Saturday’s games players who had not complied with the weight conditions. In one case four of the players had not “weighed in.” It was decided that offending teams be penalized and no points for wins be awarded. The Star Club was granted permission to regrade its third grade team to fourth grade. The club will now have two fourth grade teams in the competitions. The following transfers were granted: —C. Clark, Waikiwi to Makarewa; A. Davidson, Waikiwi to Makarewa; H. Kidd, Collegiate to Makarewa; E. N. Ward, Wellington Marist to Marist; A. D. Fyffe, Otago University to Pirates; N. Adams, Christchurch to Pirates; P. McKinlay, Pioneer (Gore) to Marist; M. Webb, ■ Invercargill to Marist; F. Brown, Collegiate to Marist; T. C. Potts, Pirates to Old Boys; E. Myers, Pirates to Waikiwi; C. B. Sage, Collegiate to Technical; J. Craig, Collegiate to Kennington; T. Lohrey, Zingari-Richmond | to Star; A. C. Cushnie, Waitaki to Star; R. Tipene, Collegiate to Bluff; A. R. Bremer, Training College (Dunedin) to I Bluff; J. G. Pasco, Marist to Bluff; G. | Waldron, Waikiwi to Makarewa. RULINGS OP’ REFEREES On behalf of the managers and captain of the Southland touring team in 11939 Mr T. R. Pryde submitted a report |on matters experienced on the tour | where uniformity in ruling did not appear to exist. He explained that in several games the Southland players I were puzzled by the rulings of the re- | ferees. He enumerated some of the I points as follows:— I 1. Tackle-ball rule.—Some referees disregarded this altogether and permitted players to play the ball when lying on the ground particularly in rucks. 2. Putting ball in scrum.—ln Taranaki the referee insisted that the ball go in on the mark indicated by him and ruled a penalty >gainst the side which pushed too hard over the spot. 3. Inconsistent application of the advantage rule in minor infringements. 4. In Auckland, Taranaki and Wanganui the referees seemed to disregard entirely the off-side rule in lineout play. 5. In most North Island games the referees permitted considerable talk from players which had the result of our players following suit and a consei quent adverse effect on the game. 6. The Southland team was disI allowed a try in the Auckland and Waj nganui games where after a previous : rehearsal the scrum on the opponents’ I goal-line pushed the opposing set scrum j over the line and collapsed on the ball. SCRUM RULINGS 7. There seem to be different interpretations of the meaning of the words “when the ball is available” in the set scrum rule. As a result some referees insist that both packs should be set down before either can push. On the other hand others permit a side which is down to push and hook directly the rightful scrum half has the ball in his hands. We recommend that the union take into consideration the question of ruling that the referee put the ball into the scrum.

8. Instances occurred in some games where a playei - was not penalized for standing up in a loose ruck and passing the ball back with his hands. “These observations are made not with any idea of cavilling at the result of any game or of questioning the ability oi- otherwise of the referees who controlled the games, but merely with the view to endeavouring to get some uniformity of ruling throughout the Dominion,” added Mr Pryde. “We are of the opinion that our Southland referees adhere more strictly to the letter of the rules than is done in the north.” Mr Pryde -was thanked for his report. It was agreed that the matters mentioned be brought under the notice of the New Zealand Referees’ Association. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY The following fixtures for Saturday were approved:— Seniors.—Pirates v. Old Boys, at Rugby Park, at 1.30 p.m.; Winton v. Star, at Rugby Park, at 2.15 p.m.; Marist v. Bluff, at Rugby Park, at 3 p.m.; Invercargill a bye. Second grade.—lnvercargill v. Marist, at Biggar street No. 1, at 3 p.m.; Collegiate v. Pirates, at Biggar street No. 4, at 3 p.m.; Star v. Old Boys, at Biggar street No. 5, at 3 p.m.; Bluff a bye. Third grade.—lnvercargill v. Pirates, at Bain Park, at 2 p.m.; Old Boys v. Borstal, at Borstal, at 2 p.m.; Collegiate v. Waikiwi, at Waikiwi, at 2.15 p.m.; High School v. Ken ington, at School No. 1, at 2 p.m. Fourth grade.—Makarewa v. Collegiate, at Tweed street, at 2.30 p.m.; Kennington v. Technical, at Biggar street No. 3, at 2 p.m.; Bluff v. Invercargill, at Bluff, at 2.30 p.m.; Marist v. Star, at Biggar street No. 2, at 2 p.m.; Old Boys v. Pirates, at School No. 2, at 2 p.m.; School a bye. Fifth grade.—lnvercargill v. Marist, at Biggar street No. 1, at 1.30 p,m.; Pirates v. Technical, at Biggar street No. 4, at 1.30 p.m.; Collegiate v. School, at School No. 3, at 1.30 p.m. MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING U.S.A. CLUB’S SCORES The Returned Soldiers’ Association Miniature Rifle Club held a selfhandicap shoot last night, J. Mcllwraith winning with a possible 80.7. Selfhandicap means that for every point scored over the possible 80 the competitor goes back two points. Competition was very keen, especially among the new members. Members will be graded next week and competitive shooting will be held as every member will receive his correct handicap. The 10-bull targets will be available this week and the club will use them on Monday next. The following are the scores: —J. Mcllwraith, 80.7; J~. B. Doake, 79.6-1-80.6; H. Edginton, 75.2-5-80.2; P. H. Hughes, 72-8-80; A. Mackay, 76.4-3-79.4; F. Jones, 77.5-4-79.5; E. H. Ball, 76.3-5-79.3; H. Hall, 69-10-79; P. McCallum, 69-12-79; N. Weir, 77.6-5-78.6; A. Acton, 74.2-4-78.2; R. T. Barnett, 77.3-1-78.1; H. McDougall, 75.3-2-77.3; C. Parmenter, 74.2-3-77.2; J. McSweeney, 75.2-2-77.2; P. Brass, 65.2-12-77.2; W. T. Hannon, 74.2-3-77.2; H. Henderson, 78.4-6-76.4; H. Kirkham, 73.1-3-76.1; C. Griffiths, 74.1-10-76.1; F. Hinton, 64-12-76; R. Foster, 75:3-10-75.3; R. Barnes, 72.2-3-75.2; P. Parmenter, CB-6-74; K. Holding, 63.2-10-73.2; F. Stewart, 67.1-5-71.1; 5. Brewer, 62-9-71; H. Fraser, 61.1-6-67; S. Wilcox, 32-15-47; A. Pomeroy, 79.7-1-80.7.