Players Wrong, Bat Referee Also To Blame

Northern Advocate, 11 May 1939, Page 3

Players Wrong, Bat Referee Also To Blame

—HIKURANGI RUGBY CLUB

“While we deplore the action of our junior team in walking off the field, after investigation we consider that the actions of the referee contributed largely to this action of the team,” wrote the committee of the Hikurangi Rugby Club to the Whangarei Rugby Union regarding the incident wherein the Hikurangi juniors, objecting to rulings by the referee, walked off the field after one of their members had been ordered off in the junior match against Whakapara at Whakapara last Saturday. The letter further stated that the committee of the club had gone very fully into the position, questioning a number of witnesses before coming to the decision as above.

The letter also asked that before the union took any action whatever, the management committee hear representatives of the junior team, the Hikurangi club and spectators. A full report on the occurrence was also received from the referee, Mr A. Gardner.

It was decided by the union to grant the Hikurangi club's request prior to taking any action and, although the referee had awarded the match to Whakapara, it will not be entered as a win for this team in the records of the union until the whole matter has been finalised. A decision will then be made in the light of the evidence.