Well said Brian Moore

On the football World Cup final...

"It is typical of football players to blame Howard Webb, the unfortunate English referee, for their own failings.

"Arjen Robben chose to do so despite missing two clear one-on-one chances. This is cowardly and dishonest, but what of Fifa's response.

"Sepp Blatter, usually keen to criticise anything that takes his fancy, particularly English, could only pathetically respond to the virulent and unjustified criticisms of Webb by saying that he had a "very hard task".

"Is that all he could say? Blatter speciously added: "Football is a school of life because it is based on discipline and respect. It's a combat game but in the spirit of fair play. You have to learn to win and you have to learn to lose, and should not forget the basis which is discipline and respect."

Rubbish. By refusing to condemn and sanction the relevant players and team officials for their on and off-field excesses which resembled spoilt brattish three year-olds, Blatter condones and encourages the same – beautiful, just beautiful.'

Read Brian Moore's article here...

Is the end is sight?

I was asked this week if my season had actually finished - well, the answer is, no... not quite anyway.

My last 15-a-side game of the regular season was on May 8, and after that there fell a local charity 7s tournament.

And then last weekend I was in the middle of the last in the series of a two-Test pre-Women's World Cup warm-up between hosts Scotland and South Africa, at Lasswade RFC near Edinburgh.

The matches provided an excellent opportunity for both the teams and the match officials to up their preparations ahead of the Women's World Cup in London, which starts on August 20.

Scotland were on the back of an under-performing Six Nations campaign, while the ever-improving South Africans have recently completed a two-Test whitewash of Kazakhstan in Dubai.

But while the Kazaks would have provided some stiff opposition, the true test of just how far the South Africans had progressed would be measured by two battles against the Scots.

In the first game, there was a fair amount of ring-rust on display and, dare I say it, not just by the teams. I took my time to adjust and then set back - a mistake any referee can ill afford to do.

Match report here - courtesy of Scrumqueens

But one thing that was obvious was just how much the visitors had worked on their strength and conditioning, which helped them ease to a 27-8 win over the hosts.

As I was in Edinburgh for the week, with the second game a week after that first, it gave me plenty of time to reflect on what was, by my standards, a very average display in the middle.

Of course, there were the distractions of Edinburgh (the castle, men in kilts, haggis and whisky), but the time to reflect meant that I had no excuse to not put in a much-improved display.

I always knew the second Test would be that much different from the first. For one, the Scots are a proud rugby nation and they were hurting from the first defeat.

And the tension and atmosphere was evident from the moment we as match officials stepped inside the changing rooms at Lasswade RFC.

In the event, despite an improved performance from Scotland, who led 14-7 at the break, the South Africans came out a changed side in the second have and let loose, sealing a comprehensive victory and series win with a 41-17 scoreline.

For me, it was a much better day at the office and I can build on this as we count down to the last eight weeks before World Cup kick-off.

Second match report here

For Scotland, they will be bitterly disappointed to have lost and underperformed as they are capable of so much better - such as their defeat of France in the Six Nations proved.

South Africa on the other had have sent out a very clear message, having won their last five games on the trot (including a win in Canada during last year's Nations Cup).

And so... the answer to the original question -has my season ended yet?

The 15-man game now most definitely has, but there's the small matter of two 7s tournaments and then pre-World Cup build-up in August, not to mention fitness testing on July 28.

Maybe I'll hold off the duty free for a while yet...

English talent spotting!

Engalnd's Elite Referee Unit has continued its succession planning and appointments programme ahead of the 2010-11 season.
Head of Elite Referee Development Ed Morrison and Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew have confirmed full-time contracts with JP Doyle and Greg Garner after they successfully completed their two-year trainee programme that has seen both referee in the Guinness Premiership, the IRB Sevens circuit, the Churchill Cup and Pacific Rim tournaments around the world.
Luke Pearce (22) is the latest trainee to be appointed and he will work with Ed and his team of referee development managers, Tony Spreadbury and Brian Campsall, with the aim of further developing his considerable potential and he will start his new role from 1 August 2010.
Two more referees Ian Tempest (22) and Lyr Apgeraint Roberts (33) join the Elite Referee Unit in a part time capacity.
Assistant referees Paul Burton, Nigel Carrick and Rhys Davies have gained promotion into the Elite Referee Unit (ERU) after a rigorous selection process.
Ed Morrison said "One of our objectives within the Elite Referee Unit is to establish a clear development pathway for our young talent and JP and Greg's progress shows that we are delivering tangible results in this area and we aim to continue that with Luke, Ian and Lyr."
Morrison is also delighted with the excellent work being carried out by Steve Leyshon, Steve Savage and Mike Melick within the National Panels. The ERU continue to work closely with Steve Leyshon and his team in identifying officials who they believe have the potential to operate at the very cutting edge of the sport.
Morrison said: "It's vital that we recruit more referees at the elite level of the game to handle not only games in the Guinness Premiership, the LV =Cup and the Heineken Cup but also with a view to giving our officials exposure at the international end of the sport courtesy of the IRB."
Further appointments include Trevor Fisher who will act as a TMO in the Guinness Premiership and Mike Hamlin who joins the ERU as a timekeeper.
The ERU has also expressed its sincere thanks to a number of officials who given exemplary service to the sport over a number of years.
Ed Morrison said "On behalf of everyone involved in officiating at the Elite end of the game and the RFU I'd like to thank Ashley Rowden who has decided to retire from senior refereeing to concentrate 100% on his new role as an assistant referee where his vast knowledge will be of enormous benefit to young officials coming through the ranks. Ashley joined the National Panel of Referees in season 1994-95 and is widely respected throughout the game.
"We'd also like to thank assistant referees Paul Emerson and Bob Mullis who stand down after years of outstanding service to the game. They both joined the ERU in 2001 and their level of personal commitment will always be appreciated."
Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew said: "Ed and his team have delivered some outstanding results in the development of our young referee talent and JP and Greg are just two examples of them delivering in this important area of the departments' work.
"Like everyone else connected to the Elite Rugby Department I will continue to support Ed, Tony Spreadbury and Brian Campsall with their work with a view to further positive results being achieved in due course."

From the RFU website - read here.

Bitter sweet end to season

Last weekend I had the pleasure of refereeing the Devon County Cup final between host club Brixham and Barnstaple, a club who reside one division higher than the "Fishermen".

This was my second Devon Cup final, having been fortunate enough to oversee the 2008 match between Exmouth and Barnstaple, so I knew it would be a day to savour and one that would live long in the memory - Devon know how to stage a cup final.

It was a fantastic event and Brixham did the occasion proud - a thrilling game ensuing and a nail-biter for the crowd, with a drop goal the only score that eventually separated the sides as Barum ran out 28-25 winners.

However, despite the thrilling display of rugby and tremendous effort put in by the players, it was to be one of those matches that will be tinged with sadness.

Mike Browne (pictured above), Brixham's influential number 8, was seriously injured just after kick-off and subsequently replaced, but only two days later was the full shock of what happened actually able to sink in.

Browne was later diagnosed with a broken neck and underwent a 6.5-hour operation at Plymouth's Derrisford Hospital, where two bones in his neck were repaired with the aid of a titanium plate.

Report from thisisdevon

And things got worse for the Browne family when brother Kyle suffered a broken arm later in the match.

I love our sport - the passion, the emotion, the physicality - everything that it has to offer makes rugby union unique, and long may it stay that way.
But sometimes, when things like this happen, for a second you wonder if the risks players' take are ever worth it.

Mike is likely to be unable to work for a very long time and at present it is unknown if he'll play rugby again. As for brother Kyle, in comparison a broken arm is almost a "got off lightly" consequence, but it is not and when people's livelihoods are at stake it is a huge price to pay for the "love of the game".

I never want to have that phone call again - I never want to see a serious injury report form again... but I would be prepared to bet that if the Browne brothers make full and speedy recoveries, they will be doing everything they can to be pulling on the Brixham jersey again.

With the support of their club and their families, I am sure both, especially Mike, will be back at Astley Park before we know it.

I wish them both good luck in their recoveries.

It's a 70-minute game!

Just when you dare think "ah, the end of the season is nigh" up crops a host of hastily re-arranged appointments and, before you know it, May is already looking busy on the officiating front.

This weekend a AR appointment commands my attentions on Saturday at Evesham, a junior festival in Somerset on Sunday, while the following weekend heralds a County Cup final and 7s tournament the week after.

But this week a call came in at late notice from TW1 to referee the AASE plate final between Filton Academy and St Paul's College at Henely on Wednesday, so after sweet-talking the boss for the day off, it was a 2-hour rush up the M4.

Oh my - but how these boys have grown! Given that Filton feed into Bristol and St Paul's into London Irish, I was expecting two teams of (and how to out this delicately) "well-conditioned" young men, but when the St Paul's captain towered above me at at least 6ft 4, I felt, well, tiny.

And it did seem bizarre in having to enforce under-19 laws in a match played by two excellent teams who would otherwise demolish plenty of senior sides, but how pleased did I feel when, with only 15 minutes played of the second half, the questions of "how much longer ref?" started coming.

How much longer? You lot are *cough splutter* almost half my age - you should have oodles of breath left in you!

Kids these days - bulging biceps and bags of gas, but where's their stamina, eh?

Extracting the urine...

There have been plenty of things happen on a rugby pitch that have surprised me, incidents where I've been forced into a double take.

Usually it involves foul play; a punch for example, or dangerous tackle, while sometimes a serious injury has unfortunately stopped me in my tracks.

However, something that happened the other weekend resulted in me awarding a penalty for an act "contrary to good sportsmanship" - my get out of jail free card if you like, as - in 9 years - I'd never come across it before, thankfully.

In the second half of the match, during a stoppage in play at a scrum, while the hosts were making a substitution, my glance in the direction of the touchline was averted to a visiting player who, quite brazenly, was answering the call of the nature on the pitch.

Not to the side of the pitch, not discreetly, or even obscured - in full view of everyone and with pretty much everything on display, if you catch my drift.

Being made of thick skin and having fairly broad shoulders, it wasn't with a deal of offence that I awarded a penalty against him (his captain dished out what I couldn't - a smack around the side of his head), but with utter astonishment that he would have so little disregard for his team-mates or even opposition who had to play on said pitch.

And that's not taking into account the fact that children could have been in the near vicinity - they weren't and it was only by chance I'm sure that his bladder cried out on the one area of the pitch where there were few spectators.

On reflection, I should have made the pi**-taker, or giver given what he was doing, a yellow card (an unfortunate colour I know) and made the idiot wash down the area in which he saw fit to relieve himself.

But not that taking a leak on a rugby pitch is anything new. Not a weekend goes by without someone somewhere getting caught short I know, but most of the time the effected party runs to the sideline and does the deed discreetly.

Even All Black Jerry Collins was once caught short before a Bledisoe Cup match, and was forced to pee in a bucket at Jade Stadium.

And of course there was Paula Radcliffe, who famously stopped during the 2005 London Marathon to relieve her bladder at the side of the road.

So, the incident goes down as a first in my book and, hopefully, the last.

Please, let's keep pinky where he belongs and if you really need to take a pee, go find a large bush and feel free not to shake my hand after the match thanks!

Prop talking sense?

It's one of the most over-analysed area of game from a refereeing perspective.
Couple it with the breakdown and it's the stuff of nightmare for many officials - "Objectives for the match Miss Daniels?" cries the match assessor before kick-off.
"The scrum and the tackle area," cries I in reply.

Most referees, if not all, have been there. Worrying about getting the scrum right from the word go.

You know the pack drill... figure out the dominant pack (if there is one), get the engagement right, manage the hit, get the feed straight, keep the back-row bound, the front row in, the backs 5m back... simple really.

Well, having had a long and refreshingly honest conversation yesterday with a current leading Guinness Premiership prop about the whole episode surrounding the fat boys up front, I'm in the process of penning the conversation into a piece for next week's Bath Chronicle.

Some of what was said really made me think and this particular line made me smile...

"You try doing a squat with 800kg, stand on one leg, cover one of your eyes and then get smacked in the other – half the time I don’t know what’s going on, how do you expect a referee to?

To read the full interview, check out next week's Bath Chronicle online at www.thisisbath.co.uk/sport

Shameless plugging I know, but when the fat lads up front talk sense, maybe we should try and listen.

Zub-zero refereeing

Last weekend I had the delights of a trip to Blois in France for the women's Six Nations clash between France and Ireland, and it set a new record.

A few years back, my local referees' society, Somerset (pronounced Zummerzet), sent three of us to Glasgow on exchange and never I have been so cold while refereeing.

The rain was horizontal, the wind blowing a gale and the temperature dropped to around 2C. At the end of the game, I was so cold I couldn't write the final score down on a piece of paper and was soaked to the skin so much that I simply turned on the shower in the changing room and, once the water ran warm, stood under it fully clothed.

Last weekend surpassed that - easily. Given the fact that when I woke up on the Thursday (game was being played on Friday evening) the news reported a large snow fall in the south east of the country, I had a feeling that Blois may be a little on the cold side given it's location in France.

And so it proved. Flying in to Paris later that day was pleasant in that it looked picturesque covered in snow, but with temperatures predicted to fall to -3C, the thought that game may not go to ahead crept through my mind.

On Friday, it was biting cold and there was still a smattering of snow, but a call mid-morning confirmed the game would go ahead.

Go ahead it did, and at kick-off it was -7C. Remarkably the pitch was playable, albeit with a sprinkling of snow, but it was bitter and I don't think I have ever wished for a free-flowing, quick, fast-paced game of rugby to ensure we all kept moving.

So, credit to the groundsmen who got the pitch playable and to the players who, like me, were keen to keep the moving and keep warm.

It wasn't a game to be a winger, or an assistant referee for that matter, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable game and indeed occasion.

At least this time I didn't get soaked and managed to undress before I thawed out in the shower.
Saying that, I'm sure the glass of mulled wine waiting for me in the changing room helped.

Not again...

Just when you thought it was safe to pick up the whistle and get in a run of games following the drought over the last two months, "match postponed" strikes again.

Given that the match I was appointed to this weekend was in Yorkshire (and I live in Somerset), I set off on Friday evening and after three hours drive up the M5 and M42 (through numerous 50mph restrictions and the occasional bottle neck), settled in for the night in a Premier Inn somewhere off the M1.

On the way up, the home club had rung to inform me that a hard frost was forecast overnight and that a pitch inspection was to take place at 9am. If I heard nothing, I was "green for go" and given that it was 10pm and I was, well knackered, I went out like a light.

In the morning, 9am came and went, as did my breakfast, and - with the time fast approaching 11am - it was back in the car for the remaining two hours north.

And then it happened; just before noon the phone rang and the caller bore bad news. The 9am pitch inspection was inconclusive and, with the forecast for sun and a temperature increase, the club held out for another inspection at 11.30am.

You can guess the rest. "Sorry, we're going to have to call the game off".

Not that you can blame the club. They desperately wanted to host the game as they'd lost three already over the the last two months. Lost home games mean lost revenue, something no club can afford in the present climate.

It's gutting to have a game postponed so close to kick-off; referees look forward to matches just as much as players, but for me it meant a three/four hour drive back south.

Since December 12th, I have refereed two league fixtures from seven weekends. I drove to Devon to postpone a match on arrival after the pitch was unfit and had another two fixtures fall foul of the weather.

But, as they say, there's nowt you can do about it - the weather's the weather and to be frank, I'm fed up with this continued cold snap and want things back to normal please.

Bring back the typical wet and windy British weather - bring back some rugby.

Six Nations referees

This year is undoubtedly a huge one for the women’s game as international teams from across the globe continue their preparations for the World Cup in August.
With the USA and Canada having already done battle in Florida, and the Women’s 6 Nations drawing closer for our top European sides, a much-needed platform has also been provided for female referees as we too look towards the IRB showpiece event in London.
Following the Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2006, the IRB and many host unions helped the progression and development of women referees by opening up more of their Test matches for the appointment of women officials.
If you’re good enough and have proved yourself then why not, and – as with players – it helps the development of the women’s game as a whole as promoting officiating will hopefully encourage more female players to have a go themselves. At present (and I do not have access to any official figures) the percentage of women officials compared to women players is unacceptable and we all have a part to play in turning that around.
But this spring, the Women’s 6 Nations competition will see an unprecedented number of female whistle blowers take charge – five in total – as Sarah Corrigan (Australia), Andrea Ttofa (England), Dana Teagarden (USA), Mhairi Hay (Scotland) and myself have been given the opportunity to oversee games.
Being appointed to a Test match is a huge privilege and one that is greeted with much joy every time you are fortunate to get the call from your Union, so there will plenty of reasons for Andrea and Mhairi to celebrate (OK, so maybe after the game) as their appointments in the 6 Nations mark their full Test debuts.
Australia’s Sarah Corrigan, who refereed the World Cup semi-final between England and Canada in 2006, is currently enjoying the colder climate of the Northern Hemisphere as after a brief trip to Florida for the second USA v Canada Test, the Sydney-based official will be subjected to the colder weather in the UK for two Six Nations tests before she heads back Down Under.
This will be Sarah’s first Six Nations tournament, but it is not the first time a female Southern Hemisphere referee has overseen a game as in 2007, New Zealander Nicky Inwood took charge of the first all-female team of three at Twickenham when England hosted Italy at TW1.
The USA’s Dana Teagarden (presently residing in Germany) has also been appointed to her first Six Nations game, while I am looking forward to the France v Ireland encounter on February 12 that I will oversee. These games are invaluable for those of us fortunate to have been selected for this year’s World Cup as exposure to Test level games is an invaluable tool in the countdown to kick-off on August 20, while for Andrea and Mhairi it will hopefully provide a huge boost as they look to embark on their international careers.
Here’s hoping that 2010 sets records for the women’s game in all aspects, including officiating at the highest level.

Women’s 6 Nations appointments: (Weeks 1-3)
Week One:
Ireland V Italy, Sarah Corrigan (ARU)
England V Wales, David Keane (IRFU)
Scotland V France, Stefano Mancini (FIR)
Week Two:
Wales V Scotland, Sarah Corrigan (ARU)
France V Ireland,
Clare Daniels (RFU)
Italy V England, Mhairi Hay (Scotland)
Week Three:
Wales V France, Dana Teagarden (USA)
Italy V Scotland, Chris Williams (WRU)
England V Ireland, Steffano Marrama (FIR)

Frosty reception for the treadmill

Right now I'm spoilt for choice about what to write about. There's the new year and all it promises, Saracen's director of rugby Brenan Venter and his "English referees are pants" outburst, the RFU's reaction to Mr Venter's strop, the right and wrongs of Mr Venter's strop or, of course, the weather.

Given that Venter's tirade has been done to death in various media, the weather wins because - as it stands - I last refereed a game of rugby on December 12th.
On the 19th, I hauled by backside south on a 75-mile trip to Devon, only to get there and find the pitch unplayable due to frost, and so I hauled it back to Somerset again.
Then came Christmas and following that a trip to Leeds to watch the Guinness Premiership basement battle against Bath (which the blue, black and whites thankfully won) in sub-zero conditions.

And then there's this weekend - not a chance of any sporting action anywhere, let alone donning my boots and whistle to referee any rugby.

Players' frustrations and not being able to play is equally matched by officials', who look forward to Saturday afternoons as much as anyone else. At this rate, even the weekend of the 16th looks doubtful - just how long will this sporting drought last?

The downside to this predicament is training as there's no chance of a twice-weekly run on the streets and pavements near me (unless of course you want to break your ankle/leg/wrist, etc) and so it means the gym.

The tedium of the treadmill is too much I'm afraid. OK, the weights and resistance stuff in the gym is fine by me - bring it on - but the treadmill? Ooh no, sorry.

I am hoping (maybe too optimistically) that the sports pitches near me at least give enough on top to allow a run around or two, that I can happily cope with.

I am therefore hoping that while the snow is fun for a bit, the damn stuff soon disappears before I really am forced to endure a mind-numbing spurt on the treadmill.

Happy training!