Behaviour at league match

Press, 27 September 1982, Page 20

Behaviour at league match

Sir—While not defending loutish behaviour by any supporters be they from Christchurch or elsewhere, I think Peter Kerridge should look closer to home for similar behaviour before rushing into print. I spent some time in a hotel north of Greymouth on the Saturday evening before the match that was totally spoilt for my friends and myself by the behaviour of league supporters from both sides of the hill and a few locals, one of whom was looking for a fight most of the evening. Let us not presume that any town has any more or any fewer of these totally boring people and. remember that one should hot judge all sports fans by the few who are hell bent on making a nuisance of themselves. — Yours, etc., L. A. DALLOW. September 24, 1982.

Sir,—ln reply to Peter Kerridge’s letter with regard to the boorish behaviour of visiting supporters to Wingham Park, Greymouth, it makes me wonder why he has written this year where over the last few years the Thacker Shield has stayed on the West Coast and nothing has been said. A common comment handed out by the locals on Saturday that Runanga must start as "oddson” favourite with a home game, home officials and home weather, almost came true. But a try in the final minute brought the scores level (in which case the holder retains the shield). As the conversion was being attempted the crowd booed loudly which made the so-called “one-eyed Canterbury supporters” have 20/20 vision. I agree that he was lucky that his daughter’s interests took her elsewhere because the language from some of the local young lady supporters would make a coal-miner cringe. — Yours, etc.,

W. K. MOFFETT. September 23, 1982.