Referee struck after match

Press, 18 June 1979, Page 4

Referee struck after match

Investigations are being made into an incident in which a rugby referee was struck by a spectator after a senior competition match in Christchurch on Saturday. Mr T. M. Hannan was walking towards the changing rooms after refereeing the match between High School Old Boys . and Hornby, at the Christchurch Boys’ High School grounds in Straven Road, when he was hit on the side of the face. A man. believed to be a Hornby supporter, jostled Mr Hannan and spoke tersely to him before striking the blow. The president of the Canterbury Rugby Union (Mr R. W. Thomas) was not far away, and made the man apologise to the referee. However, Mr Thomas said that this would make no difference to the investigations. "I am bitterly disappointed I that a spectator would interfere with a referee,” Mr Thomas said. “I have asked the club for a full investigation. and to advise the union of the outcome."

Mr Kevin Smith, president of the Hornby club, said that his executive was examining the matter and a report would be made to the union. Mr Thomas said that he had asked for the man’s name to be supplied to the union before the management committee’s meeting tomorrow evening, and that the person concerned should report to a sub-committee of the union.

“I was a few paces in front of the referee when the incident occurred, otherwise

I would have seen for myself,” he said. Mr Hannan declined comment, but the president of the Canterbury Rugby Referees’ Association (Mr K. Columbus) said that he had called for a full report from the referee to be tabled before the union. He said that Mr Hannan was startled by the incident and the side of his face was “very tender.” The match, which was won by Old Boys. 19-6. was marred by a fight between rival forwards. Mr Hannan ordered off the Hornby captain, Gary Cooke. Mr Columbus said that the I attitude of some players was ; “not very bright.”