RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 9

RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

MEETING OF SUBURBS TEAMS KEENEST FOUGHT GAME OF YEAR. WAITARA MAY CAUSE A SURPRISE. (By "Spectator.”) Spectators who witnessed the Rugby League match between Western Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs at Western Park last Saturday were enthusiastic and loud in . their praise of it as one of the most keenly fought contests witnessed this season at the park. Both teams showed improvement on their previous efforts, Eastern more so than Western. It was evident that the pace displayed during the game, was the result of hard training and both teams are to be congratulated in attaining such fitness. The game was bright and interesting and some 'pretty movements' were made by both teams. When attack was at times suddenly turned into defence the spectators were roused' to the heights of enthusiasm. Western Suburbs deserved its win and Eastern Suburbs can account for its loss partly by bad tackling. It would be to Eastern’s advantage to try to get more training in the art of tackling. Comments on Western Suburbs.

Priar, Western Suburbs five-eighths, played’a really safe and sound game, but was inclined to kick a little too much when his backs were in a scoring position. W. Lewis, at centre threequarter, until hurt, gave his best display to date. His run of 75yds. demonstrated that he has pace. The injury to his arm was unfortunate. Josephs also played up to his form and is a handy man to have in a scoring position. The best forwards on the ground were Jim and Jack McLeod. These two brothers are playing great football at present and it can safely be said that they are the best forwards in our competition to-day. R. McDonald played right up to form. He has been playing very consistently.

Eastern Suburbs Backs Better. The Eastern Suburbs team is vastly improved in the back division, with G. Moorhead as first five-eighths. This player made some beautiful openings and saved his side on numerous occasions by his deadly defence. He is in his right position. R. Ninkie played a really hard game and gave an improved display. If he continues to improve in this way he will soon be close up for representative honours. Williams at centre three-quar-ter was a failure. He showed selfishness on several occasions and his passing was very erratic. Twice he lost what seemed like certain tries for Eastern Suburbs hanging on. to the ball too long. He should be tried at wing three-quarter or perhaps a run in the forwards migh correct his faults. L. Moorhead is not showing the dash he did earlier in the season and judging by his displays this season centre three-quarter is; his position. H. Lawrence, full-back, made one mistake which cost his side three points. Otherwise he played a .good game. A. Lawrence was handicapped in hooking by not having any weight from his supports, as repeatedly the Western Suburbs forward pushed the Eastern Suburbs men from the ball. B. Hynes worked hard and earned his position. He is a first-class worker in the tight. McLeay gave a fine display, which was marred slightly by his efforts at tackling. Not once did he make an effort to go low for his man.

Inglewood v. Waitara. At the Camp Reserve, Waitara, the Inglewood team proved too strong for Waitara, but although Inglewood won it was by no means an easy victory, Waitara has again improved its team by the inclusion of some more new players who are proving fine acquisitions in the building up of a strong team. Bad tackling by the Waitara team was again responsible for their defeat The question is often asked why footballers do not go low for their man. Surely players will realise that with the strong fend which is often produced to-day a high tackle is useless. Hunt again found, the weaknesses in the defence and was not slow to make use of them. His form this season has been very consistent. The rest of the back division played right up to the standard of football that has made the Inglewood team so popular with League supporters. Waitara Team Stronger.

With the inclusion of Jones at centre three-quarter and 1 with Lash as wing three-quarter the Waitara team, with good coaching and training, is going to upset the calculations of the other teams in the knock-out competition. Tume showed up better than in his previous efforts but he is still inclined to hurdle his, opponents. Elliott is still showing consistent foriji in the forwards and the last try of the day was the result of a fine effort by him. The rest of the forwards worked hard but were inclined to take too much on their own initiative. N.Z. Referees’ Ruling.

The New Zealand Referees’ Association has requested that the following information be conveyed to all affiliated leagues for submission to referees’ associations, states a letter from the New. Zealand Rugby Football League:— Play the ball rule: When a player with the ball is held without going to the ground the referee should call “play the ball.” ’ If the tackler does not immediately release the man with the ball the tackler must be penalised. If the player with the ball does not immediately play the ball (if able to do so) he must be penalised. If a player is brought to the ground and the ball comes in contact with the ground the referee must immediately call “play the ball.” The tackler must immediately release his hold and the man with the ball must play'the ball in accordance with the rule. Referees should pay strict attention to the tackler and see that the man with the ball is able to get on his feet and play the ball without hindrance from the tackler. The referee must also insist on the man. with the ball immediately regaining his feet and playing the ball in accordance with reference note in the rule book following the definition of a tackle.

Scrum: The association is of the opinion that all players must keep their proper place in the scrum until the ball comes out of the scrum laid down in the rule. The practice of players having their hands on the side of the scrum should cease and the offending player should be penalised. Our interpretation in this respect is that the players of each side must lock or bind their own players together by encircling the arm round the body, not by catching a part of their attire or uniform and taking hold in that fashion.

Application of .Rules. The application of various rules of the League code by referees has at different

times this season come in for a great deal of criticism from people who attend League games. Though good criticism is always welcome and referees are not infallible, it would be in the best interests of the game for the critics who sit on the bank to purchase a rule book or to write for any information about the rules to “Spectator,” c/o Daily News, who will be pleased to supply the information.

“Play the Ball” and “Play On.” “Play the ball” and “play on” are verbal instructions given by the referee to the players to indicate his decision that play shall proceed when any doubt arises regarding an infringement or for any other cause. In law 12, clause (c) the following note is attached: In order to prevent wrestling, etc., when a player is tackled, the referee shall indicate to the players his decision that the ball is "held” by giving instructions to “play the ball.”

Scrum Formation and Raking. In view of the controversy that has arisen over double raking or double hooking in the set scrum it is obvious that the ruling laid down in the Playing Rules of 1930 Rule Book under the heading of scrum formation is not being carried out in its entirety. The following words contained in. clause (b) are plain to the average person: The forwards must keep their feet on the ground until the half-back has put the ball into the tunnel, and at no time must any forward have both feet off the ground at the same time.

Putting the Ball In the Scrum. Clause (d) reads: The half-back must put the ball in without delay, either by rolling or pitching it into the centre of the scrum by a downward movement. Note.—The ball is not deemed to be in the scrum until it passes both the inside legs of the two outside forwards and when pitched in the centre of the scrum the ball must be allowed to reach the ground before any player can lift his foot in the scrum. In clause (e) halfbacks are earnestly requested to observe this rule in future. The rule-says: Immediately the half-back has put the ball in he must retire behind the pack.

Scrum Formation. That the forwards in the Taranaki competition should practice scrum formation is evident from the displays given lately by the teams. Coaches should remember that scrum practice is essential and seeing that the teams have played eight games it is time some improvement was being shown.

Saturday’s Matches. At Western Park next Saturday patrons' of the League game should be treated to two fine expositions of the code, when all the senior teams in the competition will be seen in action. The star attraction, Inglewood and Eastern Suburbs, should provide a game of brillie/.cy and spectacular football. , In the previous encounters between these two clubs really good football has been witnessed. The meeting between Western Suburbs and Waitara should also prove an interesting game. It will be a curtain raiser to the main fixture. When the teams met last Waitara held Western Suburbs in the first spell and it was only when condition gave out that Western Suburbs ran up a few points. Since then Waitara has considerably improved its play and its players.