Referee Heckled

Hutt News, Volume XXII, Issue 1, 16 June 1948, Page 9

Referee Heckled

SCENE AT FOOTBALL MATCH HUTT TEAM'S HEGiItET A regrettable scene occurred at the close of the Hutt-Wellington Senior Rugby match on Saturday, when portion of the crowd heckled the referee as he was leaving the ground. During the game some of the referee's decisions had been questioned by spectators, and as he made his way to the dressing-room after the match' some of the crowd shook fists at him and hurled abuse.

The incident, which was described as unsportsmanlike, was regretted by officials, players, and most of the spectators.

The following letter has been received by the Editor of the; Hutt News from Mr. J. A. Wilson, hon. secretary of the Hutt Rugby Football Club:

"Sir, The members of the Hutt Rugby Club senior team have asked me to draw the attention of la portion of the sporting public to what they consider a most unsportsmanlike demonstration at the Hutt Recreation Ground on Saturday last. They consider it most unfair for part of a football crowd to show its disapproval in such a manner as was shown on this occasion. No doubt this portion of the crowd was of the opinion that their action would spur the local team to greater efforts, but the demonstration had the opposite effect. The team would be much happier if more respect was shown to the rulings of the referee in future. After all, a referee must be a sportsman, in the highest sense of the word, to give his time to .furthering the interests of the game."

HUTT PAROCHIALISM (To the Editor.) Sir, —As a Hutt resident may I express my disgust with the conduct of the spectators at Saturday's Wel-lington-Hutt senior Rugby match at the Recreation Ground. As an exRugby provincial representative (not Wellington), ex-referee, and exRugby columnist, I would say that despite a few inevitable mistakes the referee controlled the game well —and impartially. We, as New Zealanders, pride ourselves on our sporting spirit and fair-mindedness, but the hooting of Kenny, as he prepared to kick a penalty On -Saturday belies the existence of .sportsmanship in the make-up of many Huttites, young and old alike. Kenny had nothing to do with "the reward of a penalty to his side and there were many present who were delighted when his kick was successful. Some bias is perhaps excusable in callow youths and youngsters, but it is a sad indictment of our civilisation to see grown men expressing their oneeyed outlook in such childish fashion.

At various times I have lived In' Invercaigill, Dunedin, New Plymouth, and Auckland and have never at any time seen such a disgraceful exhibition as I .witnessed on Saturday. Further, first-grade Rugby is not the only scene of the growing display of Hutt parochialism. I, for one, will in future spend my Saturday afternoons at Athletic Park.— I am, etc.,

SPORT