PLAYER ORDERED OFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20621, 21 July 1930, Page 11

PLAYER ORDERED OFF.

STATEMENT BY REFEREE. "NOT FOR ROUGH PLAY." BRITISH CAPTAIN'S REGRET. Different -versions of the circumstances which led to the ordering off of the Auckland forward, L. Knight, in the game against, Britain arc given hy the individuals concerned. An impression existed on the ground on Saturday afternoon that Knight had been ordered off fnr rough play, whereas an argument with I lie referee was actually the cause. A statement on the matter was made alter the game hy the referee, Mr. J. H. MiiHitf, of Wellington. ".1 should like it to ho understood that 1 did not have to order Knight off for rough play," he. said. " Previously 1 had occasion to speak to A. Knight several times with regard to breaches of the rules, chiefly in I lie . line-outs. Subsequently, there were some warm exchanges between the two packs and, realising the necessity for action, I stopped the game to issue a general warning. L. Knight interrupted mo and. owing to a remark that he made, I considered that. J had to order him off."

Knight himself was reluctant to make any comment, but said that the referee warned his brother for something that ho himself had done. He said: "Don't pick on him; pick on me," and was then ordered off.

Auckland players who were 011 the spot arc of tho opinion thai Knight did nothing to justify tho referee's action. They agree that at the time the game was becoming a little heated and state that just before the referee stopped the game one of the British forwards was standing over A. Finlayson, tho' Auckland hooker, when he did not have the ball. Knight came, up to him and told him to " cut it out." at the same time pushing him away with one hand. They say that the refjree warned A. Knight by mistake and liiat when his brother attempted to take the blame he was ordered off by the referee.

The British captain, F. D. Prentice, who was acting as liue-umpire on the side of the ground where tho incident occurred, said afterwards fie was very sorry that Knight had been sent off. Knight had been playing a fine forward game and leading the Auckland pack in great style. lie is captain of the Grammar Old Boys' Club and has represented Auckland since 1920. It was generally considered that he was unlucky to miss selection in the New Zealand team which toured England 111 1924 and there arc many who hold that he should have played in tho tests against Britain this year. Knight went, to Australia with tho All Black team in 1925 and has represented New Zealand against touring New South Wales sides on several occasions.

SCENE ON TERRACES.

THROWING OF MISSILES.

WOMEN STRUCK BY SCORIA

The annoyance of sonic of the spectators on tho. terraces at Eden Parle on Saturday with those in front who stood up to obtain a better view of the games caused no little excitement and amusement until their actions assumed a more serious aspect. At first those at the. back gave vent lo their displeasure by flinging pieces of orange peel and small pieces of sod. Tne victims of their attack retaliated. and before long the fight became more willing, (hie man was struck on the back of the neck by a pie and another was hit by an orange. The people at the back became increasingly annoyed and small pieces of scoria and larger sods wero thrown. Indignation and some alarm became ge,neral when two women were struck by paper bags filled with coarse scoria and small stones. Both women were made dizzy by the blows, and from all sides there came a demand for fair play, which finally had its effect, all hough there were similar incidents of a milder nature during the match.

DEPARTURE FOR ROTORUA. JOURNEY BY MOTOR-CAR. After the official dinner at ihe Boyal Hotel on Saturday evening, members of the British and Auckland teams were entertained at a theatre and cabaret party at the Civic Theatre. Tho British players left Auckland for Rotorua by car yesterday morning and will have several days of light, training, returning to Auckland on Thursday. The third test will be played at Eden Parle next Saturday and the British team will leave for Whangarei next Monday. Tho game against North Auckland will be played on Wednesday week. It is expected that B. S. Spong, the brilliant ilyhalf, who stood down for the Auckland game owing to a thumb injury, will be available for the test match.