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?
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Monday, 22 March 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, 4 March 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
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)
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)
Thursday, 7 January 2010
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!
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!
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