Attack on umpire ‘absolute thuggery’

A club cricketer repeatedly kicked an opposition player-umpire in the head as he lay on the ground, before being pulled away by team-mates, a witness at the Paraparaumu match says.

The match between Horowhenua-Ka¯piti clubs Paraparaumu and Weraroa on Sunday was marred by the incident, which was understood to have been sparked by a decision from a Paraparaumu player-umpire.

The fielding team, Weraroa, took umbrage and an argument ensued, which saw police called after it escalated.

A witness to the attack said it was ‘‘absolute thuggery’’ and he heard at least two kicks connect with the victim, who had been knocked to the ground by a ‘‘sucker punch’’ from another player.

‘‘He had a third kick at him before his team pulled him off.’’

The witness, who did not want to be named, said while tempers could erupt during sport matches, kicking ‘‘somebody lying in a foetal position on the ground is out of control’’.

‘‘If that happened on the street, it would be GBH [grievous bodily harm] so how come if it happens on the field, it’s fine?’’

The witness added: ‘‘I know exactly who did the kicking, everyone saw who it was.’’

Another witness, who did not want to be named, labelled the Weraroa players’ behaviour ‘‘disgusting’’ towards the young player-umpire.

At the end of the over, the victim was followed to square leg and taunted before being ‘‘set upon’’ and struck in the face.

‘‘I believe his nose is broken. Then another three or four Levin [Weraroa] players joined in and proceeded to kick and punch him.’’

Police confirmed they went to the Paraparaumu Cricket Club, on the Ka¯ piti Coast, about 3.45pm on Sunday.

‘‘A person reported that they were kicked in the face after an argument with the other team.’’

The player declined an offer of ambulance assistance.

No-one was arrested and no charges had been laid, police said.

‘‘Police were called in when it was all over. The victim is going to speak to police and make a statement and give some more information,’’ the spokesperson said.

Weraroa club captain Brett Cole said a meeting had been organised last night to discuss the incident and the club would be getting legal advice.

‘‘There’s a lot of work involved, police are involved and still speaking to witnesses. There will be more information come out over the next few days.’’

He wasn’t present during the alleged incident and NZ Cricket rules meant he wasn’t able to comment further, he said.

‘‘I know that paints the club in a poor light but I’m just following rules, I’m really sorry.’’

Paraparaumu club captain Craig Pashby said he wasn’t at the game and referred all questions to Horowhenua-Ka¯ piti Cricket Association chief executive David O’Brien.

In a statement, O’Brien said the Horowhenua-Ka¯ piti Cricket Association was aware of ‘‘an incident’’ at a club game on Sunday.

Its operational team began an investigation immediately, and the association was awaiting its outcome.

‘‘I believe his nose is broken. Then another three or four Levin players joined in ... to kick and punch him.’’ Eyewitness