RUGBY UNION.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17371, 22 May 1928, Page 5

RUGBY UNION.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. TWO PLAYERS WARNED. FOR ROUGH PLAY LAST WEEK. The' Rugby Union mot last evening, the chairman, Mr J. W. Arbury, presiding. Saturday’s Offenoes. The referee, Mr J. R. Henderson, reported having to order off three players, and with warning two others foi

fighting. Harrison attended first, and Mr Henderson gave his version of the case. Harrison and Abraham were giving blow for blow.

Harrison admitted “scragging,” but in reply to a question said he hit no blows.

There was fi discussion on the refeiee not giving a warning, but the majoiitj thought the referee should be suppoited. One member said the referee was not firm enough. Mr Hill moved that the player concerned be severely reprimanded and askecl to use more discretion in the future. Air Moyle seconded.

Mr Carrol said it was not fair to hear one player in the other’s absence, and he moved that Abraham be asked into the room.

Abraham was accordingly 'a sked into the room, On being question he stated he had only pushed Harrison, and had not punched him. He then left the room pending decision in his case. Mr Vedder thought that more stringent punishment should be meted out else the referees would not stand for it.

Mr Rhodes said the game was a Donnybrook. There was almost a riot. The referee should have put players off earlier in the game. The Union must look after the game.

Mr Carroll thought that as it was early in the season a warning should be sufficient, but any breaches later in the season should be severely dealt with. The motion was carried, the chairman conveying the resolution to Harrison. Abraham was then re-admitted. Mr Carroll moved that Abraham be similarly dealt with. Mr Gordon seconded, and the motion was carried.

In the case of Comer, who answered back to the referee, a letter was received from him admitting the offence and stating he could not attend. The referee said he had warned this player for off-side play before, and he thought it was time to take further steps.

Mr Rhodes moved that the Union administer a severe caution to the player and uphold th e action of the referee.

Air Gordon seconded and the motion was carried.

A Junior Game.

A request from the Ramblers’ juniors to play a practice match against Suburbs (Hikutaia) on Saturday was granted. Not Regraded. A. Laurent (Ramblers) asked to be regraded to junior football. The senior club agreed to his transfer. Several members thought that the player’s qualifications would prevent his transfer. He was a senior player. It was decided not to regrade the player.

Hoardings. An advertising firm, . of Auckland, wrote stating it was not interested in the matter of hoardings, hut another company stated their representative would wait on the Union later. A Match Asked For.

The South Auckland Rugby Union asked what assistance would be granted to them if they would visit Thames for a match.

The Match Committee recommended 33 1/3 per cent, of the gate be offered, and the" ' recommendation was adopted. Auckland Matches. The Auckland Rugby Union suggested July 21 for a rep. match at Auckland, and September 15 for a match at Thames. It was mentioned that there was a steamer excursion the day before the 21st.. and this might kill a Rugby excursion.

Mr Rhodes thought they could go to Auckland cheaper by ’bus. He moved that the matter be left to the Match Committee and the chairman to get in touch with the N.S.S. Co. and see what arrangements could be made. Saturday's Fixtures.

The following matches were set down for Saturday: Seniors.

On No. 1 ground: City v. Ramblers, . at 1-40 p.m.; refei’ee, Mr G. Buchan. On No. 1 ground.—C.O.B. v. P.T., at -3 p.m.; referee, Mr J. Buchan. Second Grade. On 'No. 2 ground: C. 0.8. V. P.T., at 1.40 p.m; referee, Mr Vedder. Third Grade On No. 3 ground: P.T. v. High School, at 1.40 p.m; referee, Mr Hen- . derson. Fourth Grade. On No. 2 ground: P.T. v. High School, at 3 p.m; referee, Mr Darroch. Schools. The secretary was asked to see if the High School ground could be . available at 12.30 for School matches. The chairman reported on the ex- . cellent state of Rhodes Park in spite .of the heavy rain. Some went out to criticise, but remained to congratulate the Union on the excellent state of the ground. Messrs Rhodes and Denize were to be heartily commended for the work they had put in. No. 1 pitch ■ was equal, if not better, than that at the racecourse.

Mr Rhodes thanked the chairman for his remarks. No one was more pleased than himself that the ground had turned out so well. H e anticipated no trouble in the future. The fescue menace would be dealt with later. Refreshment Booth.

Only one tender was received for the refreshment booth at Rhodes Park that of Mr J. Attwood—and it was accepted. Season Tickets. The Union decided to advertise that season tickets- are procurable from the

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secretary at 15/-, to include admission to the grandstand. Euchre and Dance. Mr Rhodes said the ladies had decided to hold a series of euchre and dances, and also that a concert was going to be put on in the near future. THAMES VALLEY UNION.

At a meeting of the Thames Valley Rugby Union J. Lewis and W. J. Glasgow were advised that the New Zealand Union had approved of their reinstatement to the code. There was a discussion on a letter from the Thames Union regretting inability to amalgamate with the Valley Union owing to its obligation to the Auckland Union. Mr. Madgwiek (Turua) said .there was a considerable body of opinion in Thames in favour of union. Mr. Kennedv asked what action the sub-unions proposed taking in regard to playing Thames. Mr. Foster (Ngatea) said all subunions should decide not to challenge Thames. This would tend to force amalgamation.