CLIFTON CLUB’S PROTEST

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1931, Page 5

CLIFTON CLUB’S PROTEST

REFEREE RETRACTS AWARD CHARGE AGAINST LINE UMPIRE.” ALLEGATION OF INCOMPETENCE. The alleged incompetence of a line umpire was the basis of an applicatiou by the Clifton Football Club to a meeting of the management committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union at New Plymouth on Saturday. Clifton requested that the senior match against Inglewood (which resulted in a scoreless draw) should be replayed. Clifton submitted that an error of fact was made by the referee in altering his decision when a try was awarded. 0 by him. The law stated that a referee, not having noticed the flag up for the ball or for the player with the ball going into touch; could alter his decision; but the Clifton Club held that the line umpire did not attempt to raise his flag until after the try was awarded.

The letter alleged that the line umpire at a point about the 25-ya rd line and rushed down to the corner where the try was awarded and, as soon as the referee announced a try, raised the flag. After consultation with the, line umpire the referee disallowed the try. It was alleged by dozens of spectators that the player Cole ran diagonally to the corner flag and was ~ never within two feet of the side line. The referee was closer to the goal line than the line umpire and was in a better position to see if the man went out. It was one of those regrettable in- . stances which spoiled the game, Clifton considered, and under the weight of evidence both at Waitara and at Inglewood Clifton lost the match through an incompetent line umpire. Mr. J. S. King, the referee, stated ■ that undoubtedly a try had been scored. He then saw. the flag up within a yard of the goal line and, on asking the umpire if the man had gone out, was told that he had. Consequently a line-out was ordered. The committee deferred its decision. ATHLETIC CLUB BEAT HURWORTH MATCH PLAYED FOR KAURI CUP. ' 7 ; The return match between Hurworth and the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Club for the Kauri Cup was played during the week-end under good conditions. The Athletic Club won by 20 points to 6. Hurworth, playing against the sun, from the kick-off were on the attack and carried the play into Athletic’s territory, where they held their position for some time; Athletic were inclined to take things easy. Gilmour eased the position by a line kick. Hurworth with a strong forward rally carried the play into touch-in-goal and W. Candish scored. D. Adlam’s kick from an awkward angle failed. Hurworth again attacked and Meredith was not quick enough for Morris, who slipped around the pack and touched down. Adlam took the kick without success. Athletic went early to the attack from the kick off and pretty work by Haines and Lobb carried the ball into Hurworth’s twenty-five. Webb saved ,an awkward situation by kicking to the line as half-time was called. Athletic appeared to liven up the play and a good forward rush led by Freethey carried play into Hurworth’s twen-ty-five, where Brown saved. A kick by Adlam sent the ball into the hands of Wyatt, who passed to Meredith, Fookes and Black, who crossed Hurworth’s line in the corner. Gilmour converted. Athletic crpt possession from a scrum and Meredith sent Wyatt away, the ball going out to Fookes and Black, who crossed the line for his second try. Gilmour took an easy kick with success. Hurworth were on the attack again and some wood dribbling work by Allen carried tie play into Athletic’s twentyfive, where Meredith sent the ball well out of danger and carried the game into Hurworth’s territory. After forward work Clark scored for Athletic. Gilmour converted. Both teams were becoming weary and play was ragged. Hurworth went to the attack but Athletic were on their game and carried play to Hurworth territory, where a pass from Lobb let Meredith through alongside the goal posts. Gilmour kicked the goal just before the final whistle blew. Mr. E. Gilmour refereed. After the game the teams and the visitors were served with afternoon tea prepared by the ladies. QUEENSLAND’S FINE VICTORY. NEW SOUTH WALES By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.rn. Sydney,. July 26. In the Rugby Union try-out to obtain players for the New Zealand tour Queensland overwhelmingly defeated New South Wales by 28 points to 8. AUCKLAND TO PLAY TARANAKI. NORTHERN TEAM SELECTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. . Auckland Rugby representatives to play Taranaki next Saturday are:— Backs, Stewart, Caughey, Milliken, Stuart, Smith, Jamieson,-Conway, Solomon; forwards, Palmer, Newdick, Bunting, Satherly, Batty, Souter, Barker, Williams. HAWKE’S BAY BEAT WAIRARAPA Masterton, July 25. In an exciting game Hawke’s Bay defeated Wairarapa on a sodden ground by 17 points to 13. Adapting themselves more to the conditions, Hawke s Bay put on 12 points in the first spell to Wairarapa’s five. The heavy Hawke's Bay forwards played splendidly in the loose. Wairarapa had the better of tight play, particularly in the second sp'ell when they more than held their heavier opponents. The backs were fairly evenly matched. EAST COAST WIN AFTER 9 YEARS. Wairoa, July 25. After trying nine years East Coast succeeded in gaining the Barry Cup from Wairoa, defeating the,, holders by 13 to 5. The East Coast team was one of the best sent here. The game was played in pouring rain but was a very creditable' display. NORTH OTAGO WInIbY A POINT. Oamaru, July 25. North Otago defeated South Canterbury by 17 to 16 in a splendid exhibition of Rugby to-day. PRIMARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION. In the senior B competition of the primary schools on Saturday morning, Midhirst beat Toko by three to nil, Mills scoring for the winners.. The result placed both teams level in the competition, and a further re-play will be necessary next week to decide the winner to meet Matapu at Eltham on Saturday. In the senior A competition, Eltham beat Convent by three points to niL