THE LINWOOD-MARISTS MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12087, 16 August 1917, Page 6

THE LINWOOD-MARISTS MATCH.

TO TIIK KIM TOR. Sir, —Thp, remarks made hv one signing himself "'Lover of Rugby," in last, evening's " Ska'"," call for further comment. 110 states that. he visited tlioi Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon as a disinterested party, without bias on eTtTier side. Well, then, as such, lie. nnisfc have noticed several erratic rulings on tile part of the referee. If " Lover of Rugby " knows 'tho game bo professes to love, then lie must have seen what was ono of the most noticeable acts of obstruction seen hern for soino time. In fact, it is hardly possible to (think th.'it lie missed it;, as 'it was hailed by such hooting arid .jeering a.s is rarely hoard on a football field ; and if " Lover of 'Rugby' is at all conversant with the rules of Rugby, ho must kno-w that a player cannot " shepherd his colleagues for twenty yards down the 'touch-line with Uie sole purpose of staving off the opposing backs from tackling the man with the ball. Ho then states that you reported arista kicked off with an appreciable advantage of the wind, and wonders why you omitted mentioning that Linwood won It ho. toss and elected to play against the wind. Again, if, is evident that "Lover of Rugby" knows very little about the game. Tf lio did ho would know that if Marists kicked off. Linwood must have -won the toss. Therefore, why should the two facts bo mentioned when one serves for the purpose? I think, as a Rugby enthusiast, that your rcpoitt) in Saturday's "Star" was quite fair and unbiassed—in fact, an excellent account of the game. I am quite sure that you did right in mentioning that instance of obstruction, as tilings like that are a hindrance to the game, and are likely to provo a stumbling-block to the future life of Rugby fodthall unices the public's attention is drawn to them. Thanking you, —I am, etc., A TRUE LOVER OF RUGBY. Christchurch, August 15.