One-year ban for club player

A Stokes Valley rugby player has been handed a one-year ban for kicking an opponent in the head during a club game.

A Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU) disciplinary hearing upheld a charge of ‘‘foul play, kicking’’ during Stokes Valley’s first grade division two match against Johnsonville Mighty Cripples at Newlands Park three weeks ago.

A Johnsonville supporter, who did not want to be named, said it was one of the most vicious brawls he had seen.

He claimed that a number of Stokes Valley reserves ran on to the field after a Johnsonville player was kicked in the head.

Multiple punches were allegedly thrown, and a player was knocked out, the witness said.

‘‘It was the worst s... I’ve seen in my life.’’

The player who delivered the kick was sent off.

Veteran Johnsonville team player/manager Richard Eckhoff took to Facebook after the match and said he had not seen ‘‘such a thug team’’ in his 28 years with the side.

‘‘Head-kicking, random head-punching subs running in, king-hitting random players, is not why we play. We were shocked.’’

The possible disciplinary penalty for the offence ranged from a one-month suspension to a year, depending on the seriousness of the incident.

Wellington Rugby issued a statement yesterday, confirming the suspension, but would not identify the player.

Stokes Valley chose not to appeal against the decision.