TWO PLAYERS STOOD DOWN FOR FIGHT IN TONGARIRO-O.B. MATCH

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 19 July 1957, Page 7

TWO PLAYERS STOOD DOWN FOR FIGHT IN TONGARIRO-O.B. MATCH

TWO players, N. Wall (College Old Boys) and S. Lanstrar (Tongariro) were stood down for two weeks by the Taupo Rugby Sub-Union last week, following a report by the referee, Mr J. Woodward, concerning incidents in the football match the previous Sunday, when B. Simon (College Old Boys) was injured. A charge against J. Malcolm (Tongariro) of attacking R. Ham with his fists, was not sustained. The discussion lasted nearly two hours.

In his report on the match, Mr Woodward said that up to the time of the mcidentS' which led to the premature ending of the; match, the game was played in a good spirit. "With 18 mlmites left for play, and the score three-niil in favour of Tongariro, the toall was kicked fhrough about midfield, and in open play by C.O.B. players. R, Ham (COJB.) had gained possession of the ball when he was tackled from behind by J. Malcolm (Tongariro) in a manner more vigorous than necessary.

Referee's Allegation "The ball flew away from Ham, 1 who had almost regained his feet, when he was caught by the jersey by Malcolm, and again dragged down.j Malcolm then proceeded to attack I Ham with his fists. "I blew the whistle with the intention of ordering Malcolm from the field. At the same time I noticed a C.O.B. player (whom I afterwards found to be B. Simbn) on the ground, and apparently injured," Mr Woodward said in his report.

Before he could take any further action, N. Wall (C.O.B.) accused S. Lanstrar (Tongariro) of kicking Simon, and immediately attacked him. Both went to the ground fighting. With the j help of one or two other players, he said, he finally managed to separate theni. "They were still menacing each other, however, and again started fighting," he continued. "By this time a largemumber of spectators had invaded the field, and several more players were invoived, mostly, I should say, in attempting to stop the fracas. "I am not prepared to comment on i

the alleged kicking of Simon. I am prepared to believe that it happened, but I did not see it, and any evidence on that will have to be obtained from other witnesses." Mr Woodward said that as he com sidered it would be unwise to attempt to restart the game, be blew the whistle for "No side," as allowed under law 10, clause 8, of the rules of rugby. There was no suggestion of ordering both teams off the field, I which would have been unfair, he said, to the players not invoived, or ealling off the game.

His decision at the time was that full time was called according to the rules, and the match won by .Tongariro by three points to nih "Had it been possible to continue the game, I would have had no option but to order off Malcolm, Wall and Banstrar," he concluded. Match To Tongariro When the letter had b^en read, l the chairman, Mr J. M. Stanley, said : "Our referees are men of courage and integrity ; we must support thern. They do their job according to the rules, and without bias." After discussion on whether the incidents had been over-publicised, it was decided to receive the referee's1 report, and to award the match toi Tongariro.

When the charge was heard of Malcolm's using an illegal tackle and attacking Ham with his fists, Mr Woodward said the two incidents were not related. He had not seen the one in which Simon was injured, and he had not blamed Malcolm for that. Malcolm denied that he attacSked Ham, or punched him. A line umpire, Mr M. G- Clnrke, said: Never at any time did I see Malcolm use his fists on anyone on the field.

"Belted Him Up" Concerning the incident in which simon was injured, Wall said he saw a Tongariro player strike him in the biack of the neck, then give him a "lifting kick" in his side. "I went to pull him off. He struck at me, and I 'belted him up.' " Lanstrar said he did not kick Simon ; he kicked at the ball to get it .away, and his leg struck Simon, who was partly on the ground. Simon said the ball was two or I three yards away from him. He attemptjed to get it, but fell over. He was on his knee when something struck him ; he did not know7 what happened after that. Ham was not present at the meeting. Several members of the committee said his absence was unfortunate-

There were differing opinions about what penalties should fall to Wall and Lanstrar, but finally the executive decided to suspend both for a fortnight. Malcolm Was Not Punished Mr Stanley said that when games were not cleaii, the good name of rugby suffered. It was up to the seniors to show the juniors how to play football, and to play the game. iSince the nleeting College Old Boys» has protested against the match being awarded to Tongariro.