Rugby: Disgraced teams ruled out of final

A judicial hearing has ruled neither Pirates nor Crescent will be eligible to play the senior section two final this Saturday.

The two sides clashed in an ugly match on July 31, which was called off by referee Rob Wells eight minutes into the second half.

Wells had handed out three yellow cards and a red card - all to Pirates players - in the game before it was called off.

At a judicial hearing both sides said the referee had over-reacted by calling the game off but stressed they were not blaming the official.

Pirates player Joseph Wilson, who had been the touch judge in the game, had verbally abused the referee and was given a red card.

The judicial committee decided the automatic two-week suspension from the sending off would stand, and Wilson would not be able to play again until August 22.

The committee upheld the referee's decision to call off the game and decided neither side should benefit from the match.

The game will be nullified and neither team will progress to the senior section two final to be held on Saturday.

Dunedin was the other team in the section two final, and will win the game by default.

Both clubs said they bore no animosity to each other.

Pirates chairman Adam Binns said yesterday the club was holding an internal inquiry into the matter to see if any further action was needed.

The club was not appealing the decision.

Crescent is also not appealing the decision.

 

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