Football.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 202, 7 June 1894, Page 1

Football.

The question of referees, which proved such a stumbling-block to the Union last season, is, judging by the present indications, likely to prove a source of trouble during the present season. Although the season is yet young, and the enthusiasm of both players and spectators at its highest pitch, many of our clubs have experienced the greatest difficulty in procuring gentlemen willing to take charge of the games. The fact is, the position of referee is a thankless one, and a reflection on the manner in which gentlemen in this capacity have been treated in the past is by no means calculated to imbue anyone with the desire to act. There is no necessity for me to dwell upon the necessity of thoroughly good competent referees, for it will be admitted on all sides that if the game is to prosper and the standard of football is to be raised our referees must not only know their business but also be free from the slightest suspicion of club feeling. It is nothing short of a calamity to the game to have an incompetent referee. Whilst his decisions are in the majority of instances absolutely absurd, they are also given after much hesitation, and not unfrequently at the prompting of some particular player. Moreover, an element of wrangling is introduced into the contest between the players, whose confidence and respect he must of necessity forfeit. It is hard on any gentleman after having conscientiously endeavoured to act fairly to each team, to have his name associated with ignorance and partiality, whilst it is equally hard on a team after gaining a fair try or goal to be deprived of such score by the incompetency of the referee. That the Union feels that some action on its part is absolutely imperative I am thoroughly convinced, yet its committeemen hold different views upon what to my mind is the only remedy—paid or professional referees. Not a few oppose the professional referee on the ground that it is undesirable to introduce any element of professionalism into football. This is, however, a narrow-minded idea and hardly worthy of notice. What is the position of the secretary and treasurer of our local union ? Are they not really in a professional, although by courtesy, called honorary capacity ? I venture to moreover remark that since it has become the custom to remunerate these officers for their services the affairs of the Union are in a far healthier state. Another argument against the professional referee is that many competent gentlemen who at present discharge this duty would decline to act. They would, however, have no valid reason. If they referee for, love of the game they could become honorary referees by not accepting a fee only donating it to say an accident fund. By so doing they would doubly earn the respect of players and spectators. There are, however, many in Auckland who thoroughly understand the rules, but who, for reasons previously mentioned, refuse to act. A fair fee would, I am sure, induce a sufficient number of such gentlemen to extricate the Union from its present

difficulty. The two principal, of the numerous advantages which the system I propose possesses, are as follows: —(1) The referees would be in attendance, awaiting only the arrival of the teams, to start the contests at the appointed time, and the delay at present occasioned would be done away with. (2). By the referees holding meetings and resolving upon a uniform code of decisions on all points of the game, the present frequent occurrence of referees giving diametrically opposite decisions on the same point would cease. Now I contend that if the proposed system had no recommendations other than those mentioned the benefit to be derived is well worth the innovation. Whilst the public know that in order to got home at a reasonable hour they will have to leave before the finish of the game, many are prevented from visiting Potters ; and so long as players incur penalties for doing certain things which the referee of the previous Saturday deemed correct, our footballers will never become masters of the Rugby rules. The expense of, say one guinea, for senior matches, and half a guinea for junior matches, should not prove any obstacle to the adoption of this system. It could be met by the joint contributions of the Union and players, and I am certain the imposition of a payment of twopence or threepence on each footballer would not lessen the number of players. This, however, is a matter of detail, and could be arranged after the Union approved of the principle of professional referees, which I submit for its earnest consideration. The attendance at Potter’s on Saturday was certainly the best which I have seen this season, while the daj- could not have been better suited for football if made to order The grandstand was taxed to its utmost capacity, and I was pleased to notice that those persons to whom I made reference in last week’s notes were either absent or on their best behaviour. The contest between Parnell and Ponsonby was played in front of the grandstand, and naturally attracted the greatest amount of attention. Contrary to my anticipation of last week, the maroons again came out on top, by defeating the Ponsonby boys by 22 points to 5. To judge by the points, one would naturally incline to the belief that the Parnell team had a run-away victory, yet such was by no means the case; whilst from a spectator’s point of view the game was one of the most interesting district contests witnessed on Potter’s. Apart from the actual scores the play was of a very even nature, the Parnell team being called upon to defend their line quite as frequently as their opponents. I have no desire to detract from the merit of the Parnell team’s victory, but I am quite convinced, after Saturday’s game, that the points scored give nothing like a true indication of the merit of the competing teams. Of the 22 points scored by the winners 3 points were due to a free kick given right in front of the Ponsonby goal. On two other occasions Ponsonby had bad luck owing to the apparent inability of the referee to see what occurred. In the first instance, a Parnell player was guilty of deliberately obstructing a Ponsonby player when it was almost an odds-on chance of the latter scoring; and in the second case another Ponsonby player was deprived of what was clearly a fair mark, about ten yards in front of the Parnell goal. In each case it would have required an exceedingly bad kick to have missed a goal. When we reflect on these facts, and also remember that Ponsonby lost several tries through over anxiety or some little circumstance which, though trifling in itself, still prevented a score, we must recognise that there is no great superiority on the part of Parnellites. I am not endea-

vouring to find excuses but rather the reason, for Ponsonby’s defeat, and on Saturday they were as palpable as the proverbial pikestaff. In the first place, Ponsonby were hopelessly beaten in the line-out play. Secondly, their two centre forwards were unable to secure the ball in the scrums; and in the third place, their four three-quarters were played too near the scrum, which fact gave too much work to their fullback. The Ponsonby team should have no great difficulty in overcoming these three defects, and had they not existed on Saturday the ParnellPonsonby contest might have borne a different complexion, for in tackling, kicking and passing the players of the Western suburb at least held their own. For the winners Billy Elliott again proved the greatest contributor to the success of his team. His two tries were got after splendid runs, and without the aid of any of his comrades. Elliot appears to be about the only player in Auckland who exercises any judgment in throwing in the ball on the “ line out.” The fine play of the Parnell threequarters gave Hedge very little work to do at fullback, but what he had to do he did well. Of the Parnell three-quarters Kissling was undi übtedly the safest. His quick punting and sure tackling relieved his side on numerous occasions. Both Jervis and Ronayne were in fine form. The former got off several long punts which transferred the play from his own to the opponents’ 25. He was also responsible for several smart dodgy runs, but is still inclined to hold the ball when collared. So far he has avoided having a penalty kick given against his team, and I sincerely hope his spell of good luck in this respect will not be broken in a representative match if he should cling on to the ball in his own 25. Ronayne’s collaring was capital. Owing to the clean manner in which the Parnell forwards heeled out, Edmunds had an easy time of it behind the scrum. He also made the most of all his chances. Speight, Holmes and Anderson proved a tower of strength to their side on the line play, one of them invariably securing the ball, even when Ponsonby threw in. Wright, Heard and Clarke were prominent in all the Parnell rushes. Wright and Clarke each secured a try by dribbling the ball across the line. Charlie Stichbury had by far too much work to do on Saturday. He stopped many dangerous rushes, and his kicking was good, but I cannot forgive him for missing Elliot. It is far better to gradually advance towards the man carrying the ball than to recede from from him. Of the Ponsonby four three-quarters Gillespie and P. Flynn were the best. The former has improved greatly in his kicking. Flynn is the makings of a firstclass man, and considering he was taken from the Ponsonby 111. team into the seniors his play is all the more meritorious. Neither Reg Masefield nor Scott were in anything like their true form, although Masefield made one splendid run, failing only to cross the line by about six inches. “ Satie” Ramsay was collared the very moment he touched the ball. Ronayne appeared to pay particular attention to Ramsay, who only got one decent opening throughout the. whole game, when he evaded several Parnell backs, and would have scored had he stuck to the ball. In his position behind the scrum Braund has still no rival in Auckland. On Saturday he had to make all his own chances, and started several passing runs by stopping forward rushes. His try was gained by a touch of the cleverness which always characterises his play. What price Albie behind the Parnell forwards ? The Ponsonby four three - quarter system will prove a great success before the end of the season, although it did not work any too well on Saturday, Vic Langsford and Billy Cruickshank proved rather troublesome to the Parnell backs. Both are fast, and used their speed on Saturday by constantly following up the ball and preventing the opposing backs from returning it. “Pilot” Riely is a really hard grafter and worth a place in any of our senior teams. He made a long run against Parnell, and finished it up with a good pass. M. Flynn put in.a lot of work in the scrum, and also kicked a pretty goal.

Mr G. Dixon acted as referee in the Parnell . — Ponsonby match. Although points ahead of our ordinary common, garden referee, Mr Dixon was not as vigilant as on the previous Saturday,

when nothing appeared to escape his notice.

The game between Grafton and North Shore proved an interesting contest, and as I anticipated resulted in a win for the former. In this match also the scores give a wrong impression of the game, for although Grafton registered 20 points to North Shore’s 3 points, the contest was far from being one-sided. The reorganisation of the Grafton teams appears to have materially strengthened that combination if we are to judge by results. Newton defeated Grafton by 6 points to nil. North Shore beat Newton by 11 points to 9, and now the Graftonites, after making several alterations in their team again come to life and dispose of North Shore by 20 points to 3. I do not by any means wish to attribute the success of the Graftonites to the fact that certain players were not included in the team, but their reversal of form nevertheless stares us in the face, and I suppose one of those things for which it is impossible to account The chief feature of the game was the splendid place kicking of Oliphant, who converted the four Grafton tries into goals. This is a really first-class performance. It is generally considered that the team which North Shore placed in the field on Saturday was the strongest combination that has represented that district this season. The scorers for Grafton were Young, Brady, and Stevenson, the latter securing two tries. For Shore Valentine succeeded in crossing the line. “Jockey” Breen did a lot of work for Shore, his quick punts proving a great help to his side. Charlie Marshall grafted like a Trojan in the scrum, and started several rushes from the throw in. Speight was also good on the line play. Harvey was not as great a success as on the previous Saturday, y< t he acquitted himself well. Harry Stevenson played a great game for Grafton; both his tries were well earned. A continuation of Saturday’s form will bring Harry well under the notice of the reps, selection committee. The Grafton backs all proved reliable, their strong point being sure kicking. The try which Brady secured was the result of some rather pretty passing between Oliphant, Hay, the scorer, and several other Graftonites. North Shore only played 14 men for a considerable part of the game, a player named Moffatt having to retire from the field through an accident. The “go” between Suburbs and Newton proved a well contested game, the latter winning by 6 points to 3. Suburbs were without the aid of several good men, notably McKenzie, who has an injured arm. The game was fast from start to finish, the ball remaining hardly any time in any part of the field. Half-time was called with 3 points to the credit of each team, Rhodes having secured a try of Suburbs and Hobson converting a penalty kick for Newton. In the second spell Hobson crossed the Suburbs line by a dodgy run, thus bringing the points to Newton 6, Suburbs 3. “No time ” was sounded without any alteration in the scores. Freeman played a fine game at fullback for Newton. He appears to improve each time he plays, and it is a great pity he has not more weight. Ike Mills came out as a half-back on Saturday, and appeared quite at home in his new role. He make several smart runs, and rather surprised the onlookers by his play. Warnock was not brilliant, but made no mistakes. Roberts was the best of the Newton backs, but did not get many chances. He made ons splendid run, simply making hacks of the opposing backs, and although he crossed the line he had the bad luck to lose the ball in endeavouring to get behind the goal posts. This is the first occasion on which Roberts/ has failed to score against Suburbs. W. Rhodes played a fine game for his team and scored, He had also hard luck in not scoring on another occasion. Rishworth was not so good as usual. Of the Newton forwards, Hobson and Williamson were about the best. The latter dribbled the ball past nearly all the Suburbs backs, and should have scored. Donald shone on the line-out play. E. T. Laurie continues to show good form, and appeared a cut above the other Suburbs forwards. He appears to train well, judging by the way in which he lasts the game out. Major also showed a good example to his mates by fast following up,

The positions of the different clubs in the three championships are as follows:

Grafton II defeated North Shore II by 14 points to 8. Martin, Cunningham and Jackson each secured a try. Cromwell converted one. For North Shore Quinn and Clarke crossed the line, Bartley conAerting one. In their match with Suburbs, Newton cried enough at half time, the Suburbs’ score being 28 points to nil. The contest between Ponsonby II and Parnell II proved a great go, in the first spell neither team scoring. Ponsonby, however, completely got away with their opponents in the second spell, winning by 18 points to nil. Downey, Wright, Heaps, and Symonds scored for Ponsonby. Vai Masefield fully sustained the reputation which he has acquired this season for place-kicking by converting three of the four tries. His performance so far is eight goals out of nine attempts, the one he missed being the easiest of all.

In the second junior division Grafton A beat City by 4 points to 3. Newton defeated Grafton B by 13 points to nil, and Parnell were victorious over Ponsonby by 13 points to nil. Since penning the foregoing article on the question of professional referees, a meeting has taken place for the formation of a local Referees’ Association. About 20 names were handed in to the Secretary of the Union, but nothing was done except to decide on the formation of the Association. Another meeting takes place this (Thursday) evening at the British Hotel.

At a meeting of the Rugby Union, held during the week, Messrs J. Arniel, W. Speight, and G. Carter were chosen as a selection committee. •

I hear that Hector Clark, who, it will be remembered, played amongst the City seniors last season, had the bad luck to have his jawbone broken whilst playing in a match at Napier last week.

Parnell Seniors. L. 0 Pts.for Agst. P. 3 W. 3 D. 0 4813 Grafton 3 2 0 1 32 9 Newton 3 2 0 1 21 14 City 3 2 0 1 14 20 Ponsonby .... 4 2 0 2 27 34 North Shore .. 4 1 0 3 19 51 Suburbs 4 0 0 4 6 36 First Juniors. P. W. D. L. Pts. for Agst. North Shore .. 4 3 0 1 60 25 Ponsonby .... 4 3 0 1 58 20 Grafton 3 2 0 1 23 29 Parnell 3 2 0 1 52 18 City 3 1 0 2 6 38 Suburbs 4 1 0 3 34 45 Newton 3 0 0 3 4 62 Second Juniors P. w. D. L. Pts. for Agst. Grafton A .... 4 4 0 0 19 12 4 3 0 1 42 17 Grafton B .... 4 2 0 2 31 36 Parnell 4 2 0 2 32 23 Ponsonby .... 4 1 0 3 21 46 City 4 0 0 4 14 30