Page:Football, the Rugby game.djvu/76

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66
RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL.

or obstructing any opponent, the Referee shall, on a claim by the opposite side, award a free-kick at the spot where the offence took place.

(g) If, in the opinion of the Referee, on a claim by the opposite side, a try would undoubtedly have been gained but for the unfair play or interference of the defending side, he shall adjudge such try. On the other hand, if, in his opinion, a try would undoubtedly not have been gained but for the unfair play or interference of the attacking side, he shall, on a claim from the opposite side, adjudge a touch-down.
(h) If, in the opinion of the Referee, any player, when he has been tackled and the ball held, has not immediately put the ball down, he shall, on a claim by the opposite side, award a free-kick at the spot where the offence occurred.
(i) The Referee shall signify the granting of a fair catch by blowing his whistle, without further claim than the heel-mark (see Law 26). If the whistle is not promptly blown, it must be taken that the claim is not granted. In all cases when a claim has once been made for a fair catch or free-kick, it must be taken, if granted by the Referee.
(j) If, in the opinion of the Referee, the ball when dead has been unfairly brought into play, he shall order a scrummage to be re-formed.

In all the above cases a claim from the opposite side is necessary, but not through the Umpires.

6. In the following cases the Referee may interfere without any claim being made, and without reference to the Umpires:—

(a) If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player shall have been guilty of rough or foul play, he shall, in his discretion, either caution him for the first offence, or warn him off without any caution, but in every case on a second offence it shall be his duty to warn off the offender, and to forthwith report the occurrence to the Rugby Union Committee.
(b) It shall be the duty of the Referee to report immediately to the Rugby Union Committee any player who disputes any of his decisions, except Captains acting with the rights given them in Law 49.
(c) When a player is down in a scrummage, and the Referee considers it dangerous for the game to proceed, it shall