Football Jottings.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 285, 11 April 1889, Page 2

Football Jottings.

[BE OBOSS-BAB.] Having received a copy of the revised rules adopted by the English Rugby Union, and seeing the interest already showing up in football circles, it would be advisable for all players to carefully study the alterations, otherwise they may simply give away a oioaa game by any irregularities. It would occupy too much space in your columns to publish them in extenso, therefore I will give the rules that have been altered, with a few remaika No. 14.—See lower down. No. 18.—The tackler must not forget that the ball muat be held, and not the man only, a common mistake, even with old players, who tackle the man only, and have no band on the ball, or cry held, or down. No. 23.—There is little alteration in this rule, except that a free kick is awarded in the case of a breach, but it is very difficult to judge the distance if the referee is far in front of the players. No. 42.—This is another very important rule, and I have seen many a try lost by players illegally intercepting an opponent, and the simple remedy was an apology: “ Beg your pardon ; could not be helped you know."

No. 44.—The difference in this rule, as I take it, is including the punt, and the player who has gained the mark must taka the kick himself.

No. 45.—This is another most important alteration, and should make the game much more enjoyable to the majority of players, as also to the onlookers, and will dispense in a great measure with the unseemly squabbles wa have been treated to in the last two or three seasons. I would also advise intending umpires to carefully learn the rules, ths power in their hands being almost unlimited iu oonnection with their decisions. With this alteration rule 14 will abolish the lengthened delay often occasioned by players laying on the oval, and taking, or trying to do so, through the scrum. It is to be hoped that ths old players will roll up, there being every prospect of some good play this season, and the Turanganui boys—with the alterations—should make a good stand against the senior clubs, with a little careful coaching, and furnish two or three players for the Representative team.