Match off after big brawl

Press, 29 June 1981, Page 18

Match off after big brawl

By

JOHN COFFEY

A premier rugby league match between the competition leader, Sydenham, and one of its closest challengers, Addington, was abandoned nine minutes before full-time at the Show Grounds on Saturday. The referee (Mr K. R. Blackler) called the game off when more than half of the players became involved in a brawl. Even as Mr Blackler began to leave the field some punches were still being thrown and he returned

briefly to repeat his decision. Sydenham was facing its first defeat in the premiership when the fight began. Addington, after trailing by 14-4 at one stage, bad dominated the second half and was in front, 25-16, when the game was called off. An undercurrent of ill feeling had been ev-denl from the start, several early penalties being awarded against Sydennam for alleged illegalities iu tackles.

The incidents became more frequent and more serious as the match advanced. Jack Milford (Addington) was sent to the sinbin 10 minutes into the second spell, and later Tony Bergman (Sydenham) and Peter Klink (Addington) were given temporary suspensions. But the flare-up which led

to the abandonment was bv

far the worst. All the players in close vicinity became involved, willingly or other- ‘ wise, and it wak afterwards ■' alleged that one of the'' Sydenham reserve players ' joined in from the side-line. ? , It was the most disgusting spectacle in premier rugby: - league in Canterbury for atleast 20 years. observers could not remem--ber when a premiership ’ game was last ended prematurely because of violent ’ conduct.

Mr J. Anderson, the chairman of the Canterbury',. Rugby League, said that his' - board of control would con- * duct a full inquiry at its; ’ meeting this evening. He said that Mr would submit a written re- i port and had been asked to"’Z attend the meeting. It islr possible that the opposing ’’ captain-coaches, David Field? - (Sydenham) and Grant “ Findlay (Addington); would 1 be required to be present. . ?

In the meantime, the re-'?C suit remains in abeyance.’ The board could order a .' replay, or, as provided under its by-laws, it can award the ? points to Addington if it? J decides that it was far * enough in front to win, and; ?, was not primarily respond?sible for the match being ? prematurely ended. ?