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ORANGE’S Group 10 rugby league derby ended in disgrace on Saturday afternoon after referee Nathan Blanchard was attacked by a crowd member.
Bathurst-based Blanchard, who has refereed the past three Group 10 grand finals, was grabbed by a spectator and punched several times after calling the match between Orange CYMS and Orange Hawks off 25 minutes early following an ugly brawl at Endeavour Oval.
CYMS club captain Des Knight then stepped in to shield the whistleblower before he was taken to the referees’ change room.
A 51-year-old Orange man was charged with one count of common assault by Orange police on Saturday night.
He will appear in Orange Local Court on Tuesday, August 30.
The ugly end to the match completely overshadowed CYMS’ 26-24 win.
It is the second time in three weeks a match involving Hawks has been called off due to fighting.
Hawks will tonight face a Group 10 committee meeting in Bathurst to show cause as to why they should be allowed to remain in the competition.
The attack on Blanchard has been condemned by both clubs, Group 10 and the Group 10 Referees’ Association.
“I spoke to Nathan actually when it happened. Nathan’s in pretty good spirits considering,” CYMS president Ray Agland said.
“I feel so sorry for the guy. To be attacked like that, to be assaulted like that is just terrible. You don’t expect that. Those guys are out there doing a bloody job. Shocking.”
