THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 6, 1938.
Second-Class Rugby Needs
BETTER REFEREES
Players Forced To Develop Own Interpretations Of Laws
SCRUMMAGE FORMATION CONTROVERSY -
(By HOWARD MARSHALL)
WHEN I find on my table the first letter about the inefficiency of referees I know that the Rugby season has really begun. The hunt is up, in fact, and "the warmint's astir," as Mr. Jorrocks remarked one fine morning. ̈
Navy Club In Return Rugby Match To-day
TWO games will at Causeway Bate her. N
WO Rugby games will be held this afternoon on the first fifteen entertain Club in a return friendly fixture, commencing at 4.15 p.m., while Club “A” will meet an Army experimental side at 3 p.m.
Club: J. R. Henderson; M. G. Car- J. Redman, A. H. Murray and F. M. ruthers, G. S. Wilson, W. E. Grieve Thompson; E. Taverner and R. Ruther- and W. M. MacGrath; A. H. R. Butcher ford; W. G. Schnabel, J. S. Dunnett, and E. C. Luscombe; K. A. Watson, K. G. J. P. Carey; P. W. Burton, G. M. W. Salter, T. H. Pratt, E. W. Stout, Marrs; R. Leigh, K. H. G. White and C. M. Stark; H. W. E. Heath, A. J. G. J. T. Brown. Taylor and W. B.. Richardson.
Royal Navy: Lt. Stevens (Kent); Lt, Ferguson (Middlesex), Lt. Gudgeon Army Spr. Nouch, (R.E.); Pte. Walters (Olympus), Lt. Bayly (Eagle), (Middlesex), Spr. Waite (R.E.), Spr. P. O. Askith (Dainty) and Shpt. Wells Artingstale (R.E.);, L/Cpl. Boe (R. (Medway); Lt. Elliot (Eagle) (Cap Scots) and Lt. Kerrich (E. Surreys); Thatcher (Engle), Shpt. Staples (Ea. (Middlesex), Pte. Bousted (R.A.0.C.); tain) and Lt. Talbot (Otus); A. B. L/Cpl. Ross (R. Scots), Lt. Hewitt gle), Ldg. Sea. Romans (Eagle); Lt. Lt. Wallis (E. Surreys), Gur. Evans St. John (Pandora), Lt. Pumphrey (5th A.A.); L/Bdr. Page (5th A.A.), (Dorsetshire); Lt. Ogle (Phoenix), Lt. Pte. Berry (Middlesex) and Lt. Craw- Young (Dorsetshire). Anderson (Olympus) and (Pay. Mid. ford (R.C.S.).
Referee: Surg. Lt.-Comdr. A. E. Nicholson, R.N.
Club "A" XV: G. Low) D. B. Nelson,
Not that I hold with abuse of referees, who are a zealous, self-sacrificing and almost wholly admirable body of enthusiasts. JABEEN It is just that human nature delights to express itself by abusing the man in charge, whether he is responsible for a nation or a game of football.
This particular letter com- plains that the refereeing in sec- ond-class football is so indiffer- ent that players are forced to develop their own interpretations of the laws. It therefore follows that when a player graduates to first-class football his ideas are they might well have been less en- already warped, and the game is thusiastic, thus-poisoned at the root.
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RUGBY FOOTBALL
Reserves. Spr. Picton (R.E.), Cpl. Barker (Seaforths), Spr. Bird (R.E.), Spr. McInerny (R.E.), Spr. Pike (R.E.) and 2/Lt. Cathertson (R. Scots).
Club Form In Scotland Is Below Standard
HERIOTS SEEM BEST BALANCED SIDE
(By A. WEMYSS)
SCRUMMAGE FORMATION
Although the season in Scotland is a month old, there has been My correspondent has himself play- Amicable controversy this time.
Now we come again to controversy, nothing so far to suggest that the standard of play is improving.. ed in second-class football. for. 10
A Hillhead High School F.P. and Heriot's F.P. have started well but years, so he speaks from experience, formations.
difference of opinion about scrummage Bitter experience, he would say, and forward, who led the British team so unbeaten-an indication that most of the teams are undistinguished. S. Walker, the Irish already only six of the 26 clubs in the unofficial championship are he suggests that the Rugby should examine causes before they vert to the 3-4-1 method.
Union admirably, has come back a firm con- At present Heriot's appear to be the best balanced side and criticise effects.
Major their three wins have been more meritorious than the four victor- DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY B. C. Hartley, the honorary manager, ies of Hillhead. The Glasgow club, it is true, have scored an aver-
maintains that the 3-2-3 formation There is, I am sure, something in is equally efficient if only the back- age of 21 points per game, but W. C. W. Murdoch has been respon- this contention, though the Rugby row forwards will condescend to shove. Isible for half their 84 points and two of the wins were against a Union can do very little about it. The This argument is bound to spread truth of the matter is that the demand like a prairie fre. I have before, the very weak Glasgow High School F.P. side and Greenock Wanderers, for referees vastly exceeds the supply, an excellent little handbook which the who never offer very strong opposition. Refereeing is an extremely difficult Old Blues committee issue to all their job, and a thankless one at that, and, players, It is a very sound treatise. unfortunately, far too few
players on tactics, mainly compiled by R. A. take it up when they retire,
Jones, who captained the club in 1984, Consider, for example, the London and the Old Blues deserve to prosper Society of Referees, whose work for for their enterprise, the game is invaluable. They manage to produce approximately 200 referees
RIVAL" FORMATIONS
that
The High School and the Academi- cals of Glasgow, Edinburgh Academi- cals, and Watsonians are clubs should always be reasonably formida- ble, for they have abundant resources to draw upon. Yet, without excepe
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a week, but, even so, they can only al tactical statement they begin with season.
I am glad to note that after a gener- tion, all are undeniably weaker this supply the first and "A" teams of the forward play.
So far as the two Edinburgh.
unfor- big clubs and the first teams of second- advocate the 3-4-1 formation, "as tunate, as they annually carry Scot
What is more, they clubs are concerned this is class clubs.
it has so many attacking and breaking land's banner to other countries with advantages.”
some credit, even if they lose.
DEPLORABLE STATE
Now clubs like the London Scottish Let us admit that it produces or the Wasps run eight or nine teams every Saturday, and all their junior teams, therefore, have to make do with any referee they can find.
quick heel and brings the flank men in the second row a yard or so nearer the opposition, whether for defence or attack, These two men are better This is obviously a serious and de- placed for watching the ball when their plorable state of affairs. It can only opponents heel it, and we must not be remedied if the players themselves forget that if they push they transmit will decide that when their playing their weight directly to the front row days are over they will give their and relieve the strain on the second services. as referees in return for the row, which is apt to buckle in the pleasure which the game has given 3-2-3 formation. them.
On present form Watsonians would fare badly against the leading Welsh clubs, for their forwards are weak and surprisingly lacking in physique.
D. L. K. MILMÄN AN ASSET Edinburgh Wanderers are one of the few clubs with reasonably big for wards. The inclusion of D. L. K. Milman and W. A. Cross (the latter formerly of the Wasps) has greatly improved the pack, who will be further strengthened since K. Brauer, the 16-
stone South 'African who captained Edinburgh University last season, has joined the club. If the pack respond to
Milman's leadership, Wanderera should have a good season, for there are some promising young backs to assist W. N. Renwick...
On the Borders it seems that Gala and Melrose will have better fortunes, and both clubs are playing a better type of game. Kelso and Selkirk will again have to rely mainly on their. forwards-strong, bustling packs who nre, nevertheless deficient in all the arts of forward play, else they would not so slavishly serve indifferent back divisions.
ILL-ADAPTED RECRUITING DRIVE NEEDED These are important considerations, This is not a new problem. but it but against them we must set a grave remains an urgent one. We need disadvantage. The 34-1 method many more referees, recruited parti- of packing is ill-adanted for wheeling sive weapons; but primary factors in Anyone watching, Selkirk play this cularly from those who have had play. If the ball is held in the second row the control of the game...
season would find it hard to believe ing experience. Refereeing is not a the flank men are apt to impede the contend, then, that the orthodox that they won the Border Lengue last responsibility to be undertaken lightly.middle men when they try to swing 8-2-3 packing provided the second season and were joint runners-up in It meane considerable self-sacrifice wide, and if the ball is over-run by the row forwards are up to their job, is the unofficial championship. It will and constant application.
second row there is only one back-row the beat balanced and the most satis- take more than the return of. J. A. Our debt of gratitude to those de-forward in support.
factory for all-round serummaging Waters and the adoption of the 8-4-1 voted souls who do approach it serious- In my view the argument turns purposes. And all-round scrummaging serummage to change their fortunes, ly is already great, but the time has upon this point. You may contend] ls the pith and marrow of Rugby foot for the backs are lamentably weak. assuredly come for a big recruiting that in the modern game quick heeling ball: TI drive.
and quick breaking are the vital face The British players who have just tors, which means that you are a 8 returned froin South Africa were con-4-1. supporter. siderably impressed by the standard
ENVALUABLE WEAPONS
I am still old-fashioned enough to think that forwards should dictate the run of play, and this they cannot do if heeling and breaking aro their main
A BADMINTON REMINDER of rufaresing in the Union.* That is You may, as I hope, take the larger preoccupations.update N not surprising. They played under and opposite view that what the game There will, as I say, be controversy.
Badminton Club secretaries are picked referees, and I have no doubt most needs is a return to constructive about this. that a Dominion team visiting the forward play in the old manner. This bability, will adopt the 3-4-1 forma-telephone numbers of
Many clubs, in, all pro reminded that names, addremme home countries would be equally im- implies that forwards should be mas- tion as a result of Walker's Advocacy, Liyes should be sent in pressed
ters of the straight shove and the only hope that when they give it Secretary of the HikaAi Hanedi- Hon. If the British team had watched wheel, since these manoeuvres are not trial they will think it out, with second-class football in South Africa only invaluable attacking and defen- its implicationí.
Jately.