MAN ORDERED OFF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18087, 7 August 1936, Page 7

MAN ORDERED OFF

RUGBY LEAGUE INCIDENT

TOURISTS PLAY S. AUCKLAND

DISPUTE WITH THE REFEREE (Per Press Association.) HAMILTON, last night. fn a game which was fast in the first half. England defeated South Auckland at Rugby League to-day at Ilnntly. England lost three men from injuries, and Hodgson was ordered oil tor striking O’Brien ton minutes after half-time-Hodgson had previously been reprimanded by the referee for disputing his decisions. Hodgson refused to go oil and Brough, captain for England, threatened to lake the team off. Hodgson was hostile lo the referee and was held hack by his learn males. The referee was adamant so Hodgson went, nlf reluctantly. The game was rough trom then on. finishing 21 points to 6 in England’s favour. FOUL FLAY DENIED . ENGLISH TEAM MANAGER CAPTAIN GIVES SUPPORT (Pci* \Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Anv suggestion ol roughness or tout piny was daily denied by W. Poppelwoil, co-manager of the English League team, in an interview to-night regarding the mnteh against South Auckland.

He said tlmi lie was very surprised lo hear ihere had been any ill-teoling in the match. lie had seen the game and there was no untoward incident. The statement that .1. Brough, captain of lhe English team, would take hi.team off the field was absurd, la England, both captain and learn would be suspended sine die, if I hey walked oil the field.

Several players of the English team supported Mr. Poppelwoll’s views. They said Brough had no intention o' taking his team off the field. lie merely questioned the referee over a decision.

Brough, captain of the English team, expressed surprise that there had been comment of rough play in the game. fie said that the match was one of the cleanest of the tour. It was unfortunate Hint injpries were suffered by English players, but that was liable to happen in any game ot football.

With regard to the ordering-off of Hodgson, nobody was more surprised than the opposing players. lie asked the referee why Hodgson was sent off. The referee replied that he saw Hodgson strike a player. When questioned as to who the player Hodgson struck was nobody seemed to know. ‘‘l asked the referee to reverse Ills decision. We are here to give a goon display of football, and we already llieu had two players off the field injured. We are here to play loot ball, win or lose,” said Brough.