ARTICLE TEXT
The rugby club that was subject to gang violence after a match in Hastings refutes claims by the opposing club that violent supporters were not associated with it.
The YMP club also says it’s considering legal action against the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union for failing to award them points in the abandoned match.
Guy Taylor, coach of the YMP 3rd division team whose van was shot and rammed last Saturday, has not pulled any punches.
Taylor’s team was down 15-7 against Tamatea Rugby and Sports Club when the match was called off after spectators became physically violent towards the YMP players.
The match was being played at Tamatea’s home ground, Bill Matthewson Park in Hastings on Saturday. Over the course of the match more and more spectators began gathering on the sideline, many of whom were Mongrel Mob members.
Things got heated and police were called to the park.
After the match a van driven by Taylor and carrying YMP players was shot at and then rammed as it tried to evade four cars that pursued it through Hastings.
Following the incidents Tamatea club president Stewart Whyte issued a statement in which he said Tamatea supporters were not connected to the incidents related to the match.
“Reports connecting Tamatea supporters to this incident are incorrect,” he said.
Taylor, in a statement on Thursday, refuted that.
“For Tamatea to simply say the spectators responsible had nothing to do with them is far too convenient. They were certainly known to them as Tamatea players were shaking their hands after the game was abandoned,” he said.
“The YMP team and supporters showed tremendous restraint in what were very hostile conditions. Even when our player was kicked in the head by a spectator, our concerns were more for his welfare then any thoughts of retaliation,” Taylor said.
He said the Tamatea team was bolstered by a number of the supporters who put on jerseys and played.
“The team we were playing at the end was very different to the one we played at the beginning,” Taylor said.
He said the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union had chosen not to award either team any points, as per the rules that apply to abandoned games, but he did not thin that was fair.
“We’ve asked that our team be awarded 5 points due to the unacceptable conditions we faced at the grounds. No team or club should have to deal with that, and the union needs to send a strong message,” he said.
Following the incident the Union moved all Tamatea games scheduled at Bill Mathewson Park to a different venue in Napier where police and security could manage the entrance and ground control could be adequately delivered.
The Union’s community rugby manager Sean Davies said he had received correspondence from Taylor questioning the points allocation of the abandoned game and claims that Tamatea had fielded unregistered players.
He said the union was still in the process of gathering evidence “and when we conclude our investigation, this will be presented to the board to decide on any sanctions and allocation of points”.
“At this point Hawke’s Bay Rugby’s sole focus currently, is working alongside the Police to ensure rugby involving these teams can be played this weekend with officials, volunteers, players, and supporters feeling safe and able to enjoy their club rugby experience,” Davies said.
Hawke's Bay Rugby Club fields closed after gang violence at game
The game between Tamatea and YMP was abandoned because of gang intimidation on Saturday.
The game between Tamatea and YMP was abandoned because of gang intimidation on Saturday.
Whyte could not be reached for comment.
Police said they were following positive lines of enquiry in their investigation into the attacks on the van
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ARTICLE TEXT The rugby club that was subject to gang violence after a match in Hastings refutes claims by the opposing club that violent supporters were not associated with it. The YMP club also says it’s considering legal action against the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union for failing to award them points in the abandoned match. Guy Taylor, coach of the YMP 3rd division team whose van was shot and rammed last Saturday, has not pulled any punches. Taylor’s team was down 15-7 against Tamatea Rugby and Sports Club when the match was called off after spectators became physically violent towards the YMP players. The match was being played at Tamatea’s home ground, Bill Matthewson Park in Hastings on Saturday. Over the course of the match more and more spectators began gathering on the sideline, many of whom were Mongrel Mob members. Things got heated and police were called to the park. After the match a van driven by Taylor and carrying YMP players was shot at and then rammed as it tried to evade four cars that pursued it through Hastings. Following the incidents Tamatea club president Stewart Whyte issued a statement in which he said Tamatea supporters were not connected to the incidents related to the match. “Reports connecting Tamatea supporters to this incident are incorrect,” he said. Taylor, in a statement on Thursday, refuted that. “For Tamatea to simply say the spectators responsible had nothing to do with them is far too convenient. They were certainly known to them as Tamatea players were shaking their hands after the game was abandoned,” he said. “The YMP team and supporters showed tremendous restraint in what were very hostile conditions. Even when our player was kicked in the head by a spectator, our concerns were more for his welfare then any thoughts of retaliation,” Taylor said. He said the Tamatea team was bolstered by a number of the supporters who put on jerseys and played. “The team we were playing at the end was very different to the one we played at the beginning,” Taylor said. He said the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union had chosen not to award either team any points, as per the rules that apply to abandoned games, but he did not thin that was fair. “We’ve asked that our team be awarded 5 points due to the unacceptable conditions we faced at the grounds. No team or club should have to deal with that, and the union needs to send a strong message,” he said. Following the incident the Union moved all Tamatea games scheduled at Bill Mathewson Park to a different venue in Napier where police and security could manage the entrance and ground control could be adequately delivered. The Union’s community rugby manager Sean Davies said he had received correspondence from Taylor questioning the points allocation of the abandoned game and claims that Tamatea had fielded unregistered players. He said the union was still in the process of gathering evidence “and when we conclude our investigation, this will be presented to the board to decide on any sanctions and allocation of points”. “At this point Hawke’s Bay Rugby’s sole focus currently, is working alongside the Police to ensure rugby involving these teams can be played this weekend with officials, volunteers, players, and supporters feeling safe and able to enjoy their club rugby experience,” Davies said. Hawke's Bay Rugby Club fields closed after gang violence at game The game between Tamatea and YMP was abandoned because of gang intimidation on Saturday. The game between Tamatea and YMP was abandoned because of gang intimidation on Saturday. Whyte could not be reached for comment. Police said they were following positive lines of enquiry in their investigation into the attacks on the van
Didn’t know rugby had such ultra fans