ORDERED OFF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18188, 22 June 1927, Page 14

ORDERED OFF.

RUGBY PLAYER SUSPENDED A member of the North Canterbury j senior B team who was ordered off the field in the match against Old Boys on Saturday was last evening suspended for two playing Saturdays for striking an opponent. The referee in the match, Mr W. Beattie, forwarded a letter in which he stated that he had ordered C. Thomson, a. North Canterbury forward, oft the ground for deliberately striking G-. Cox, the Old Boys’ half on the jaw. The referee and the plas-er both attended last night's meeting. In answer to the chairman Mr Beattie said there was only the one offence in the whole game, and nothing led up to It. Thompson said it came as a shock to him when he was sent off. He didn’t, know he had hit anybody. “I came out of a scrum as Cox was about to take a mark, and my open hand might have struck him,” he averred. The referee said he had blown his whistle for a knock on. He saw Thompson strike Cpx with his open hand on the jaw. The'ball was five yards away from the two players. Thompson: He had the ball all right. The referee denied this. In reply to the chairman Mr Beattie said the blow was delivered with the open hand quite hard enough to stagger Cox. After the referee and the player had retired Mr R. H. North moved that Thompson should be suspended for two playing Saturdays. Mr S. F. Wilson seconded the motion. Mr R. W. Britton moved an amendment that Thompson should stand down for one playing Saturday. Mr W. Britten seconded the amendment. Mr A. Barrett said there was no doubt about what happened. Mr North said they had had cases before them previously and it was time they took a stand. The chairman pointed out that the referee was quite clear about it. Mr Barrett: Being a senior player he should have known better. Mr Wilson said that it was not very serious and seemed to be an isolated offence. The motion was carried.