Picks | Hall of Fame | Results Archive | NPC Table | Mail me
MANAWATU
MOO
- bringing Manwatu sporting fans the entertainment our local
sporting teams can't
After a recent spate of
attacks on rugby mascots I decided to put this page up reflecting the REAL
story from one such incident from my point of view. I'm sure many of you have
done stupid things in your time but looked back and are glad to say you did
it.
Whilst I do not recommend you all go out and do stuff to make the local newspapers,
I think my baby brother's effort to get himself mentioned in 4 newspapers
over the last few days was meritorious. For that I salute you Manawatu Moo.
THE DRAB NEWSPAPER VERSION
TUESDAY, 05 SEPTEMBER 2000 Hawke's Bay mascot tackled at match By RICHARD
KNOWLER
Being a rugby mascot is becoming a hazardous experience these days. Towards
the end of Saturday's second division NPC rugby match between Manawatu and
Hawke's Bay at the Oval, a spectator left the terrace, ran on to the field
and tackled Hawke Eye, the Hawke's Bay mascot. After the flying tackle, the
spectator got to his feet before jumping on the mascot once again. After the
incident, the person inside the giant Magpie suit, Vyron Russell, removed
his head and wings to remonstrate with the tackler. Mr Russell, of Napier
and aged in his late 40s, has supported the Hawke's Bay rugby team for many
years and occasionally takes up mascot duties for rugby matches. One spectator
described the tackle as a "bloody disgrace". "He took a 20m run-up before
flattening the magpie. The poor guy didn't know what hit him." After the tackler
returned to the terrace, another spectator joined the fray, walking on to
the field to blow a trumpet in Mr Russell's ear. An angry Mr Russell vented
his anger at the trumpeter before the pair were separated by Manawatu Stu,
the Manawatu mascot. After the intervention of Manawatu Stu, the trumpeter
returned to the terrace to watch the final moments of the match, which Hawke's
Bay won 32-11. Manawatu Rugby Football Union chief executive officer Allan
Brown said security guards had apprehended the tackler and forwarded his name
to the union. "We'll be getting in contact with the person involved to let
him know this isn't acceptable," Mr Brown said. "He obviously thought he was
being funny but it isn't and we want to welcome the participation of visiting
mascots."
THE UNBIASED VERSION
TUESDAY, 05 SEPTEMBER 2000 Hawke's Bay mascot king hit at match By DICK BOWLER
Being a rugby mascot is becoming a hazardous experience these days. Towards
the end of Saturday's bullshit second division NPC rugby match between Manawatu
and Hawke's Bay at the Oval, Manawatu Moo left the terrace, ran on to the
field and pole axed Hawke Eye, the Hawke's Bay mascot. After the flying tackle,
the M-Moo got to his feet before executing a near perfect people's elbow (as
seen done by WWF's "The Rock") on the mascot. After the incident,
the person inside the giant Magpie suit, Vygina Russell, threw his toys to
remonstrate with the tackler. Mr Russell, of Napier and aged in his late 80s,
has supported the Hawke's Bay rugby team for many years and occasionally takes
up orange boy & bum boy duties for rugby matches. One spectator described
the tackle as a "near perfect execution of a very difficult wrestling move".
"He took a 20m run-up before flattening the magpie. The pussy didn't know
what hit him." After the tackler returned to the terrace, Wiggy "Gettin'
jiggy wid it" Havill joined the fray, walking on to the field to open
up a can of whip ass in Mr Russell's ear.
