SHABBY TREATMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 539, 23 August 1932, Page 11

SHABBY TREATMENT.

Ashburton Rugby Players Complain. CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITALITY. (Special to the “Star."! ASHBURTON, August 23. Were Ashburton Rugby players visiting Christchurch last Saturday | treated as “ very small potatoes? ” Were they virtually ignored by the Canterbury Rugby Union except for some refreshments in the dressing-room after the curtain-raiser match against Canterbury B? The question was pointedly raised at last evening's meeting of the Ashburton Rugby Union, and it was decided to write to the Canterbury Union expressing disapproval of the manner in which the Ashburton players were treated and to ask for an explanation. Mr IT. D. Johnston, manager of the team, said that before going to Christchurch he had discussed the matter of j entertaining the team with the secre- | tary of the Canterbury Union, who i had promised that something would be : done. The players naturally expected 1 something in the way of entertainment ! after the match. Mr R. JT. Loy stated that the Canter- > bury Union had not played the game as far as the players were concerned. [ They had been treated as “ very small ' potatoes” and a protest should be made regarding the shabby treatment meted out to them. He suggested that the union express its extreme dissatisfaction and ask for an explanation. The 1 players, he added, had been cast adrift 1 and allowed to go as they pleased after 1 the match. He had never known a team to go away or come to Ashburton witli- ’ out being hospitably entertained. ’ The chairman. Mr H. Sarney, stated • that refreshments were provided in the , dressing room. The matter had been mentioned to some of the officials and - it was stated that there had been an > oversight. » j Mr Loy said that no member of the 1 j team had partaken of the refreshments. > ! They were too disgusted. . j It was stated that the Canterbury . players had also expressed their disap- , I proval of the poor treatment they had ; received. j The chairman said it was a great con- , j trast to the hospitality extended by unions-in other centres.