SOUTH DIVISION

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13929, 12 June 1909, Page 5

SOUTH DIVISION

Referring to the request of the Auckland association that shield challenge mutches be not played until after the return of the Auckland teams "Shinty," in the Wellington Post, remarks: "Auckland discountenances a visit from the local reps, until after it has finished its southern tour. This would leave the match until September. This is a ridiculous proposition, and if adhered to the northern association will certainly retain possession of the shield." 4 Referees and their interpretation of the off-side rule has been the subject of much discussion both locally and elsewhere. The following from the Weekly Press is therefore of interest . "Of all the rules of hockey the least understood is the off-side rule, both by referees and players. The whole point of this most important rule is whether the player is on-side or not j when the ball was hit. There are several referees at present acting in Christchurch whose Knowledge of the off -side rule is very meagre, and will persist in ruling that a player is oftside if an opponent moves up the field after the ball has been hit. and leaving only two men between the aforesaid player and the goal he is trying to reach. It is understood amongst plnyers who necessarily have to abide by the referee's decision that the official in charge of the game should have n thorough knowledge of the rules, and it is wholly unfair to players on both side* if tho referee is incompetent. Another rule," says the same writer, "which, to giv© most of the referees in Christchurch their due, is being dealt with in a most efficent manner, is tho rule for obstruction. This style of play all tends to make the g»me very rough and dangerous, and the stricter the referees are in putting it down the better it will be for the interests of hockey. There are many players who persist in this style of play, but I think it is only a mntter of time when they will give it up as abaci job— that is, of course, if the referee penalises them every time they offend."

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