SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15887, 27 July 1923, Page 7

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

FOOTBALL NOTES.

(By “SCRUM.”)

•Can a player who has been injured and has left the field, but has, not been replaced b\ r anotuer player. come back into the game whenever he likes? This question is not so unimportant as some may think. And right away, let me say that I don’t think he ought to be allowed to It is true that he std! Delongs to his, side, and every side has a right to 15 men, under ordinary circumstances. But when extraordinary conditions arise, there is something more to be said. I have chosen to write about tais because the very thing has occurred. In a match played in another part of the Dominion a player is said to have gone oft the field on account of injury. He is said to have slipped back into play at a critical moment and scored a try. Tam free to confess that if I had been in charge of the game I should have disallowed the try and ordered a scrum 5 yards parallel from the point where he slipped in. I should have been strongly inclined to send him back to the touchline, whatever appeal might have been made. It was not dirty play; but it was unfair play, and ought to be put down. It is just as bad as deliberate offside play. I am glad to notice that junior representative football is not being overlooked. The “trying out” match next Saturday ought to produce something interesting. Two or three of the “youngsters” are big enough for senior places. And I hope that they will keep this in view. Remember that you have feet and hands and heads. And whatever you do, don’t lose your heads. iße generous enough to spot the players who are working best for your sides, and play into their hands- Anybody can “bullock” and throw a ball away, and kick into touch. Anybody can find a place at the bottom of a scrum. But what’s the good of that? Feed your best man. What if Billy Jones does score the try? If you helped him, part of that score belongs to you. You may chew as much gum as you like —although it does look as if you were finishing your dinner —but don’t talk, only when you cheer the referee and the other side. Your best girl may be there. So make her proud of you by playing the best and cleanest game you can. I am afraid this sounds a bit like a sermon, but those of you who know me know : ’that I am not preaching. I want promises of a' jersey, a pair of pants, a pair of football boots, and a cap; also a medal —not for myself! In fact, I want two lots of them. My idea is that a committee should be set up who shall award them to the best senior and junior players at the end of the season. The presentations to be made at a public social to the footballers. I think it would bring the players and the public together. And we could have a good “wind up.” Contributions and ideas towards this —especially contributions —will be thankfully re-, ceived and acknowledged in this column.

My best thanks to the Rugby Union, who, through the secretary, courteously sent me a free pass for the season. This is a token I prize highly.