PLAYERS SUSPENDED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 98, 12 July 1946, Page 5

PLAYERS SUSPENDED

RUGBY UNION’S ACTION

PENALTIES INFLICTED

At the extraordinary meeting of the Management Committee of the Whakatane Rugby Union, which took place on Wednesday evening, the names of two players, responsible for incidents at the Domain last Saturday afternoon, were considered with regard to the penalties which should be inflicted. The men in question were Pat and Pipi Hohua, two brothers playing respectively for the Ruatoki senior and junior teams.

The report concerning the first named man, stated that whilst acting in the capacity of a line umpire during the Junior match, Paroa v Ruatoki, he had, by reason of the obscene language he was using, to be replaced. Later during the senior match in'which he was taking part, he was ordered off for fighting and dirty play. He also became abusive towards the referee, whom he threatened. It was the third time his name had been before the Union.

The penalty that he be suspended for life, and warned off all Rugby grounds for life was inflicted. Pipe Hohua, it was reported, had, during the Paroa v Ruatoki Junior match in which he was playing, taken exception to a try which was awarded the opposing side. He had defied the referee, and after a warning, been ordered off the field. When play resumed, he had gone back on, and when ordered off again, had endeavoured to get the rest of the team to go off with him. He had also used obscene language. As he was a young player, and showing promise and interest in the game, it was decided that one year’s suspension from date would be sufficient penalty. Hira Mokai, who was concerned in the incident where a referee was handled on the same day, was suspended and warned off all grounds for the season.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Unon President, Mr W. S. Henderson, commended the delegates on the viewpoint and action they had taken with regard to the offences and the penalties.