Rugby: MAC to appeal points penalty

HBRFU CEO Mike Bishop. PHOTO/FILE

THE MAC Sports Association will appeal the deduction of four competition points following an incident involving the club's premier rugby team on May 30.

"Why should the whole club be penalised for the actions of one player?" association chairman and head coach of the premier team, Anthony Morley, asked when confirming the appeal yesterday.

Earlier in the day Hawke's Bay Rugby Union CEO Mike Bishop said an extensive investigation was completed after the incident which saw a water bottle thrown at referee Stu Catley after the Flaxmere Park-hosted Maddison Trophy first round match between MAC and Taradale. Two points were deducted for an unidentified player throwing the bottle which hit Catley and another two for MAC playing ineligible players in the game.

Morley said his club had identified the player and provided the name to the union as well as the name of a witness but the player concerned is disputing he was the offender.

"The player only turned out for us that day because we were short. He won't be playing for us again."

Morley said the ineligible players claim is being appealed on a technicality.

"That one just comes down to incorrect spelling of the players' names."

Earlier this month two MAC premier reserve grade players received lengthy suspensions following the calling off of their curtainraiser against Taradale to the May 30 premier game. Utility back Tai Vaiusu was banned until November 1 next year for throwing a ball at the head of referee Jamie McFarland and prop Moughan Sali was suspended until June 1 next year for verbal abuse.

The association didn't appeal these bans. Should MAC's appeal be unsuccessful, the premier side's hopes of making the Maddison Trophy semifinals will be dashed.