UNION’S DECISION DOESN’T SATISFY OLD COLLEGIANS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 9

UNION’S DECISION DOESN’T SATISFY OLD COLLEGIANS.

“ FOUL PLAY ” INCIDENT IS STILL DISCUSSED. .The alleged foul play which has been the cause of much discussion between the Rugby Union and the Old Collegians’ Club has not been brought to a close with the Union’s letter to the club stating that, as the referee did not see the alleged kicking of the Old Collegians’ player by a Kaiapoi player, the Union could not take any further action in the matter.

In a letter to the Union, the Old Collegians alleged that in their junior grade game against the Kaiapoi Club a fortnight ago one of their players, Heywood, was deliberately kicked by one-of the Kaiapoi players. The club demanded an investigation. The manner in which the Union handled the affair has not given them satisfaction. The case is one of considerable importance, and it is understood that the Old Collegians do not intend to let the matter rest. The present official attitude seems to be that the referee is the sole judge of any incident that takes place on the field of play. It is a question whether this is practical, as the referee cannot always be on the ball, and it is stated that in the present case the referee was at least fortv yards from the scene of the incident. It is believed that it was some time before he even knew that Ileywood had been carried off. That is to say, that if a flagrant example of foul play was to occur, and the referee’s duties demanded that he should be watching something else at the moment, no complaint to the Union could possibly bear any weight. It is understood that the Old Collegians do not intend to let the matter rest.