FOOTBALL ROW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 146, 23 June 1933, Page 3

FOOTBALL ROW.

TRIO DISQUALIFIED. CAPTAIN AND HIS BROTHERS. DRASTIC PUNISHMENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TE KUITI, this day. Arising out of disorderly conduct at tlic football match which was played Inst Saturday between Hangatiki and Te Kuiti on the Hangatiki ground, and ■which was abandoned during the second spell owing to incidents which led to the spectators rushing the field of play, a special inquiry was held last night. Mr. \V. Copsey, president of the Maniapoto Sub-Union, presided over a full attendance of delegates. After hearing the referee, the players mentioned in his report were heard in defence. There was an exhaustive inquiry lasting six hours, after which the executive announced the following findings. For the use of insulting language to the referee and inciting his team to disorder .by taking possession of the ball when ordered off the field, Brownie Kikora, the Hangatiki captain, was disqualified for a term of three years. Ho ■was also further penalised by the making of an order prohibiting him from attending any matches under the jurisdiction of the Maniapoto Rugby Union for a period of three years. For leaving the field of play and irencral misconduct, Joe Nikora and Raku Nikora were suspended for a period of three, years. Because of the disorderly conduct of a section of the spectators, the Hangatiki ground was disqualified from having further Rugby football matches played there. The executive commended the deputycaptain of the Hangatiki team for his diplomacy in securing the loyalty of the remaining twelve members of his team in upholding the traditions of Rugby football in support of the referee in the face of the angry and excited state of the spectators. The disputed game was ordered to be played again on Ru<rby Park, Te Kuiti. When the match was abandoned the scores stood at 12 points to !) in favour of Te Kuiti, with 20 minute 6 of the spell to be played. A report which was published on Monday stated that Te Kuiti and Haugatiki teams, both running close in the local championship competition, met on the country club's ground. The Hangatiki team, with the exception of three players, comprises well-built athletic natives, and the ground on which the match was played is owned by the native captain. From the outset the game was fast and exceptionally willing. The climax was reached when, with the score nine all, what was alleged to be a doubtful try was awarded to Te Kuiti. For questioning the referee's decision the Hangatiki captain was ordered off the field. As he left he took the ball with him. Two of his brothers followed the captain, but the remaining twelve players, with a new ball, resolved to carry on. To the surprise of the onlookers, the dismissed captain, evidently deciding the game should not be allowed to proceed on land which was his property, rushed on to the field of play and secured the second ball. Then pandemonium broke loose. Spectators rushed the field, and in the melee which followed the Te Kuiti captain received a rough handling. The referee, who is president of the Maniapoto Referee*' Association, was followed from the ground by angry spectators, and he left in a motor car, but not, it is alleged, before he had received a blow from a spectator.