FOOTBALL FIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21289, 16 September 1932, Page 8

FOOTBALL FIGHT

PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS SUNDAY MATCH ABANDONED Players and spectators joined in a free fight during a football match at the St. George Sports Ground, Kogarah ; near Sydney, on Sunday, September 4, and the referee was forced to abandon the match. One of the players was taken to hospital for treatment. A team from Bamsgate and a team from Mount Carmel had hired the ground for the afternoon to play a Rugby League match. It was closely contested, and at half-time the Mount Carmel team was leading by a small margin. "When tha game resumed the Bamsgate team gained the lead. Some keen play - followed, and a member of the Mount Carmel team was ordered froip the field for alleged punching at a Bamsgate player who was on the ground. '& - Immediately the Mount Carmel man began to fight the Ramsgate man. The Bamsgate players ran to their teammate's assistance, and both teams became involved in a fight, in which fists flew freely. The referee blew- his whistle in an endeavour to end hostilities, but his efforts were fruitless. About 20 spectators, who had been barracking the players, ran on the field and joiaed in the fray. , Some spectators went to assist the referee in stopping the fight. They pulled several of the combatants apart, and after about 10 minutes the teams were induced to go to their dressing rooms. A number of players and spectators were bleeding as a result of the blows. Another short fight occurred between four of the spectators, but it was soon stopped. The referee abandoned the match.