REFEREE "KNOCKED OUT"

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1930, Page 11

REFEREE "KNOCKED OUT"

INCIDENT terminates game OKATO-TUKAPA MATCH SENSATION EXCITEMENT AMONG SPECTATORS The Rugby football match between Okato and Tukapa, played at Okato on Saturday, ceased abruptly when one of the Okato players, E. Roebuck, plied his left fist to the jaw of the referee, Mr. K. Nodder, of Gaine Street, New Plymouth, and completely “knocked him out.” The first spell had been fought with the utmost good feeling and it was hot until the second spell had been in progress for some time that a number of the spectators, and ,la.ter members, of the Okato team, became incensed at what they considered the unfair proportion of free kicks awarded by the referee to the Tukapa team. The game had been fast and spectacular 'despite the wet nature of the ball and the ground, and. supporters and players were exerted. Okato had established a six-point lead in the first half of the game and early in the second spell Tukapa secured its only points, a penalty goal by L. Petty. Tukapa was having the better of play from a territorial viewpoint at that stage, and Okato was strenuously defending the goal-line. A series of free-kicks was awarded Tukapa, and the spectators declaimed the referee in round terms. One man strode along the line with a heavy stick which he flourished menacingly. Some of the Okato players were murmuring rebelliously and when Tukapa were awarded a. free-kick because, the referee ruled, an Okato player was infringing the rules by holding the ball in the scrum, the. situation became tense. When the referee’s decision went against Tukapa some of the Okato players clapped their hands and shouted joyously. Finally, G. Roebuck was ordered to leave the field. The referee explained later that this was because Roebuck had persistently been “giving cheek.” The game proceeded and the ball went out on the southern side of the ground in Okato’s twenty-five. E. Roebuck then approached the referee, who alleged that the played asked why his brother had been ordered off. “For giving cheek,” replied the referee, who then told E. Roebuck to stand on the sideline. He also- asked the player for his name. “Roebuck” asserted the man, bringing his’ left fist in a swinging hook to Mr. Nodder’s face. There was a dull thud and the referee fell to the ground, where he lay for about a minute. 'Later he was lifted and assisted to a car. Roebuck said no more but strode across the field in the direction of the dressing shed." The decision as to what is to be done regarding the game, which terminated seven minutes before time, lies with the Rugby Union. It is understood that the matter has been taken up by other authorities also.