WHOLE TEAM SENT OFF FIELD: WAIROA REFEREE’S ACTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23024, 15 August 1949, Page 4

WHOLE TEAM SENT OFF FIELD: WAIROA REFEREE’S ACTION

(F.A.) WAIROA, Aug. 15. A senior Rugby Match, Tapuae v. Athletic, had a sensational ending on Saturday when a quarter of an hour before the final whistle the referee, Mr. J. F. Winter, ordered the whole Tapuae team to the side-line. The game had been fairly willing throughout and at the time the incident occurred neither side had scored. Due to a number of rough exchanges Mr. Winter found it necessary during the course of play to issue several warnings. Refused To Leave From a line-out near Tapuae’s line Peter Smith, ex-Maori All Black forward, came through the opposition rather solidly and Mr. Winter ordered him to the side-line. Smith apparently refused to leave and the referee then appealed to the captain of the Tapuae team to see that Smith went off, but little co-operation was forthcoming and as a result Mr. Winter sent the whole team from the field but made no decision regarding the result of the game. Smith will appear before the subunion tonight when the referee’s complaint will be dealt with and the executive will most likely have to make a decision regarding the result of the match.

Athletic, prior to Saturday, were the leaders in the senior division by one point from Hurumua and Mahia, so the sub-union's decision tonight will have an important bearing on the championship result. Nuhaka’s Surprise Win Nuhaka brought off a surprise win over Mahia seniors when they met on Saturday. Playing much the better Rugby, Nuhaka. particularly in the second half, were repeatedly on the attack and although Mahia led five-three when the interval arrived Nuhaka were not long in overhauling that lead, finally running out the winners 11—5. The result of this game now places Mahia two points behind Hurunmua and should Athletic be awarded a win against Tapuae as a result of the referee’s action in sending the lastmentioned team from the ground, then Athletic will retain the lead in the championship. Results:— Senior. —Huruamua G, Kiwi 0; Nuhaka 11, Mahia 5; Athletic v. Tapuae, no decision. Juniors.— Celtic 13, Mahia 0; Nuhaka G Morere 0; Erepeti defaulted to Tapuae and clue to the non-appearance of the referee the Athletic versus Tc Reinga game was not played.