Brawling cricketers stood down

An independent commissioner will decide the fate of up to five Horowhenua-ka¯ piti club cricketers in the wake of Sunday’s brawl, after police decided no-one would be charged.

Players from Paraparaumu and Weraroa clubs are awaiting details of the hearing, which looks likely to be held on Monday, after their senior A match was marred by what witnesses described as kicks to the face of a Paraparaumu player-umpire who was knocked to the ground after a disputed decision.

A police spokesperson said yesterday: ‘‘Police received reports of a disorder event at a cricket match in Paraparaumu around 3.45pm on Sunday.

‘‘Ka¯piti Police attended and have been conducting inquiries into the circumstances. We have now spoken to all parties involved and at this stage will not be laying charges. Local police are liaising with the Horowhenua Cricket Board on the matter.’’

In a post on the club’s Facebook page, Weraroa club manager Brett Cole confirmed three players had been stood down pending a disciplinary hearing, but claimed a Paraparaumu player was the instigator.

‘‘The brawl was in fact started by a PCC [Paraparaumu] player who physically targeted and assaulted a young member of the Weraroa team, who is a minor. These actions led to other Weraroa players stepping in and taking action to defend this player and the matter escalated from there,’’ the post read.

Cole wouldn’t comment further yesterday.

‘‘Weraroa Cricket Club are a family club. We deeply regret what took place on the cricket field on Sunday, and do not condone violence. We are cooperating fully with the investigation by Horowhenua-ka¯piti Cricket,’’ the post continued.

On Monday, a witness said the player-umpire was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked, before Weraroa players pulled their team-mate away. Another witness backed this account.

It is understood at least two Paraparaumu players are likely to be summoned to the hearing.

Central Districts chief executive Pete de Wet was also involved to ensure the New Zealand Cricket code of conduct about judicial matters was followed.

The Horowhenua-ka¯ piti Cricket Association will appoint the independent commissioner to chair the hearing.