FOOTBALL INCIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1925, Page 7

FOOTBALL INCIDENT

A PLAYER SUSPENDED. OUT FOR THREE SATURDAYS, GUILTY GF KICKING OPPONENT, A special meeting of the TaranaM Rugby Union was held last night to inquire into the charge made against C. Paterson, a Kaponga player, of having kicked a Stratford player. After hearing lengthy evidence, it was found that the charge was proved, and it was decided that the player should be stood down for three playing Saturdays. There were present: Messrs. Jas. McLeod (chairman), F. M. Whyte, W. A. Guy, W. B. Fearon, L. J. Furrie, J. Goodwin, A. F. Neilsen, R. R. Tyrer, Jas. Garcia, E. H. Young (bon. treasurer) and 8. E. Neilson (secretary). Paterson and his father (Mr. C. Paterson, senr.) were also present. Mr. R. R. Tyrer, a member of the management committee, reported Paterson for, he alleged, kicking an opposing player (B. Collins) in the face during the progress of the Kaponga-Stratford match at Stratford on July 4. The incident, he stated, was not seen by the referee (Mr. Goodacre), as he had turned round to follow the flight' of the ball. Mr. Tyrer stated that his reason for reporting the Incident was because it happened behind the referee’s back. He thought that players in Taranaki and elsewhere had got into the habit ot “getting one back” when they thought the referee was not looking, and if players thought they eould be reported by others it would act as a deterrent. Mr. Tyrer said that Collins kicked the ball and Paterson caught it on the full. Collins followed up fast. As Paterson started to kick the ball Collins dived at him and missed, slipping past him on his back. Paterson finished kicking the ball, and then turned round and deliberately kicked Collins in the face, Collins being laid out. Collins stated that he kicked the ball and followed through when Paterson caught the ball. He dived at Paterson but missed, and Paterson got his kick in, afterwards kicking witness on the chin. To Mr. Guy, witness said he had not struck another player betore that incident. Mr. H. J. Thompson, who stated that he. was close by, said Paterson seemed to lose his head and to witness’ surprise kicked Collins m the face as he lay on the ground. Mr. Pcplow also gave his version of the incident on similar lines. He considered Collins’ tackle was a fair one. Paterson kicked Collins with his toe, turning riyind to do it. The game was well controlled, and as far -as he could say there was nothing that would have, caused Paterson to retaliate. The incident appeared to the crowd to be so deliberate that they immediately took it up and demonstrated. Mr. Goodacre stated that he had not seen anything uncalled for. He remembered seeing Paterson field the ball and a player attempt to tackle. Patersen half side-stepped him and the player slid piist a yard or two. Paterson kicked the ball and witness followed its flight. He then heard the crowd hoot. Witness went across and asked Thompson what the trouble was. He saw that Collins had a mark under the chin and he was “out” for a minute and a-half. Paterson said that as far as he remembered ho fielded the ball and th* Stratford player was fully two yards away when witness kicked It. Collins continued on and collared him round the leg. Witness called out to let go, and as he swung round he must have caught Collins in the face with his heel. Collins was on the ground and caught witness as he went to follow up his kick. Witness was under the impression that Collins was trying to hold him. Mr. Whalen considered that it was only an accident. Paterson was tackled, and as he was going away the heel of his boot hit Collins in the face. I Mr. Heslop, who was standing in a i fair line and had a good view said that 'Collins tackled Paterson after he had I kicked the ball and the two of them ' were on the ground. Witness watched I the flight of the ball and saw nothing further. | After the evidence was heard Mr. Garcia moved :“That on the weight of ' the evidence submitted the union finds (that Collins was kicked by Paterson.” Mr. F. M. Whyte seconded the motion, ■which was carried. A motion bv Messrs. W. B. Fearon ■ and J. Goodwin that Paterson be stood 'down for three Saturdays was carried.