Napier’s Water-polo “ Incident ”

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 2

Napier’s Water-polo “ Incident ”

PLAYERS SUSPENDED (Special td'“Times”) NAPIER, Feb. 2. An inquiry was held by the Hawke’s Bay Swimming Centre last evening into the circumstances surrounding the ordering out of the water for a breach of the rules of two of the players in a “friendly” water-polo match between Te Awa and Napier at a recent carnival in Napier. The outcome of the investi* gation is that both players have been suspended until after the Hawke’s Bay swimming championships, a matter of just over two week*. Actually the punishment imposed on the players concerned, G. Coote*, of the Te Awa Club, and G. Amner, of the Napier Club, is more severe than it would appear on the surface iu that they were both strong candidates for places in the Hawke’s Bay team to meet the Australians in the two special matches which are due to take place within the next week. In addition, several other important water-polo fixtures have been arranged for the next two weeks, and they will not be eligible for inclusion in the teams for these games; nor will they be able to take part in the games played at the provincial championship carnival. The inquiry arose from the action of tho referee, Mr C. Atkinson, in ordering the two players out of the water during tho match for 11 scrapping,” it being alleged that one of the ewimmers, in addition to kicking members of the opposing team, struck one on tho face, whereupon a third swimmer retaliated. As a result, the two who struck blows, Cootes and Amner, were ordered out of the water. The centre, which carried out its investigation in committee, also passed a resolution strongly recommending referees of all water polo to maintain strict control in all future matches, the centre being determined to put down all unfair tactics.