BISHOPDALE TOUCH GAME CALLED OFF AFTER DAD'S VAPE CLOUD SWALLOWS HALFWAY LINE
Ref couldn't see the ball. Ref couldn't see the players. Ref could smell blue raspberry from thirty metres.
A social touch rugby match at Bishopdale Park was abandoned on Wednesday night after one sideline dad's vape produced a cloud so thick the ref lost sight of both teams and, briefly, his own whistle.
The dad, later named as Reece Cavanagh of Harewood, was standing near halfway ripping into what witnesses called "a fucking massive one" when the nor'wester picked up and blew the plume across the field.
"Couldn't see shit," said centre Manaia Fletcher, 34, still coughing. "One minute I'm running a switch, next minute I'm in a cloud that tastes like a slushie. Ball hit me in the head. Didn't even see it coming."
Cavanagh, contacted at the sideline where he was still going, said the complaints were "a load of shit" and that he'd been vaping at touch "for six seasons and no cunt's said a word". Asked about the flavour, he said blue raspberry ice, and added his kid wasn't even playing — he was there "for the vibes".
The ref, a 19-year-old named Josh who studies at Ara, called the game after the third restart failed because he couldn't find the mark. "I'm not paid enough," he said. "Actually I'm not paid at all. I get a Powerade."
Bishopdale Touch has told members vaping within ten metres of the field is discouraged. Cavanagh reckons he'll be back next week, same spot.
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Reader Letters
Trev_Hornby
Vaping on the field is shameful!
vapemaster69
Reece is a legend! Blue raspberry is way better than ciggies stinking up the place. Keep it up, mate!
tired_in_riccarton
Mate, that Josh had no chance. The council should sort some proper boundaries at these parks. Everything just blows over the field.
noloveforvapecigs
Honestly, can't believe this is a story. Every park has got that one Reece. Just play the game next to him and see the fun.
couchgremlin
Lol.
Garry (Halswell)
Honestly, bloody ridiculous how people are focused on the vape and not the soft reffing. Back in my day, you'd play through a fog if you had to. We had games in pea soup fog down in Halswell, and we never stopped! Besides, Powerade doesn't pay the bills, lad.
Sandra McKenzie
It wasn't the ref's fault. The rules say the match should pause if conditions worsen. That's exactly what happened.
MumOf3
You lot are ridiculous! Every week it’s something new - if it’s not the youth, it’s the vapers. Just let people enjoy themselves without the moral brigade getting all upset.
ropeable_dave
Haha, yeah right, Sandra. The rules also say not to vape on the sideline and look where that got us!
SchoolRugbyDad
Wouldn't happen at my kid's school. They're not trusting 19-year-olds with that much responsibility. Powerade or not!