SENSATION N RUGBY LEAGUE CIRCLES

Chronicle (Levin), 25 September 1947, Page 5

SENSATION N RUGBY LEAGUE CIRCLES

Eeceived Wednesdav, 8.0 p.m. 8YDXKY, Kept. 24. The sporting world has been rocked by a happening at .-a Rugby league match plaved under arc lights at Brisbane on Monday night when a Canterbury Bankstown team which flew up from Kydney was defeated by (50 to 2 bv Brisbane. The defeat, which was the worst ever inflicted on the Kydney Club, has led to allegations that four Canterbury men took the field intoxi cated. In addition the Canterbury cap tain, ITenry Porter, was suspended fpp the first two playing •Kattirdavs of nex] season for disputing the decision of the referee who ordered him otf. The match provided such a travestv of football that Ipswich officials c-an-celled the match which was to ha\'e been played against Ipswich tonight. The Canterbury Bankstown coach, Ross MrKinuon, this niorning announced his resignation. Oflicials of the club and oi' the Xew Kouth Wales Eugbv Leaguo have promised ti full inquirv. The Brisbane. Eugbv League chair man, .Mr. A. G. Welch, said: "It is tl]« biggcst blow our game has received since the inception of the game in Brisbane in 1022. The facts have been prnved in front of 12,000 people." When nine nrembers of Canterbury Bankstown retumed to Kydney thi: afternoon by air, tliev found tliev were front page news. Reporters and a battery of photographers met them, forcing some nlayers to hide their faces. They heatediy denied that any member of the team was intoxicated and blamed a new slipperv ball and the arc lights for the debacle. The fullback said he left the field at half-time because he was suffering from malaria and needed attention. The president of the New Koutu Wales Eugbv League, Mr. H. K Flegg, said that if the allegations are proved, certain ineinbers of the team niny be banned for life.