EXCITED SPECTATORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21291, 19 September 1932, Page 11

EXCITED SPECTATORS

INCIDENT AT FOOTBALL

A DECISION DISPUTED

MANY RUSH ON TO GROUND

Two or three hundred spectators rushed on to the playuig area during the exciting closing stages of a football match at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon. It was the Stormont Shield match between Marist and Devonport and spectators crowded at one corner of the goal-line and on the dead-ball area. The incident occurred in the last few minutes of the game, when List, Marist, was awarded a try right at the corner, the referee giving his decision after consulting the line umpire. A portion of the spectators in the inside enclosure immediately took exception to the decision and closed round the Devonport players, who stood on the line waiting for the kick at goal. Their action was a lead to several spectators on the embankment who ran across the ground and swelled the number of those already in the playing area. The referee immediately blew his whistle as a signal to the timekeeper to take time off and it seemed that play would be held up for some time. In the confusion the ball with w r hich List had scored was lost for a short time, but was soon restored when police officials promptly cleared the lines. Spectators were sent back behind the dead-ball line and in a few minutes the match was again in progress as if nothing unforeseen had occurred. At the time of the incident Devonport was leading by eight points to seven, and List's try practically placed the issue beyond doubt. Almost immediately on the resumption Marist scored another try, which waj converted, and left the field victors by 15 points to eight. The match attracted a good attendance and was keenly played. Devonport won the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship this season and Marist was successful in the Roope Rooster knockcut competition.