… of the season – hopefully. This season feels like it’s been going on forever so Im hoping that as it’s the last Div 1 league Sat (with a few exceptions) this is my last Friday night thinking about rugby for a while.

With Mr Boy hitting 5 months, Mrs Refblog needs some respite on the weekend and that’s where I come in.  She’s already planning on getting her hair cut next weekend “while I take him for a walk” (or maybe a local rugby match! 😉 ) and for once, I entirely agree.

Don’t get me wrong, Ive had a great season all in all. Now established in Div 1 and once again I find myself asking how on earth Ive made it this far.  Im not one who can pinpoint the reasons. Hard consistent work and keeping my head down. With one exception, I havent upset anyone this year and at this level, that’s just as important as having a blinder.

The summer brings a fitness drive (too late some would say!) and some R&R with the family.  With the Lions to occupy some time, this wont be a rugby free zone (thank goodness!) so don’t despair. I may even get round to blogging properly again.

Thanks for your support and messages through the season – it’s appreciated. My email – ref@refblog.co.uk if you want to drop me a line. Or if you are on  Twitter (twitter.com/refblog) do feel free to follow me. I may return the favour!

I’ll be back next week to report on tomorrow’s game. Looking forward to it. Should be a good physical end to the season. Nothing to play for? Try telling that to the 30+ guys on the pitch tomorrow.

…for the absence of posts. Been a tad manic. Will try and do a season round up next week.

Heading down west at the weekend for my last league game of the season (well, I think its my last!)

Keep smiling and happy whistling!

Check the date.

Morning

I have today decided to announce my retirement from the National Referees Panel. Been musing on it for a while and seems that you might as well go out under your own steam before the hand on the shoulder appears.

It’s been fun.

Cheers

Ref

Eagle eye readers will not my Twitter feed is now on the top left of the page. WordPress caught up in the end.

Well, what a fun week. This will be a 4 game 8 days! Chief Clipboard Operator last Sat, Hampshire Cup Final on Sunday, a BUSA Semi Final on Wed and today’s league game this afternoon. Jeepers!

Wed was one of those really good games we get every now and again. I don’t normally name sides, but it was Hartbury v Loughborough in the cup semi, played on neutral territory (Newbury RFC) and for a place at HQ in a few weeks. Both sides played in a really positive spirit, not a hint of any foul play, some really good flowing rugby (backs and forwards) and skill levels abound. And a result that didn’t involve yours truly getting involved – Happy Days! All as you might expect from a Gloucester academy set up and the National Sports uni! Worth a mention to both Captains – really good to work with. Positive, receptive of “advice” and good leaders on the field – which as all referees knows is not always the case!

If these guys are the future of English rugby, then things might just be looking up.

From the IRB:

Ruling: 1: 2009
The RFU has requested a Ruling

Ruling Required
Team A moves the ball from right to left when the final pass to a colleague close to the touchline is knocked on with the ball crossing the touchline. The non offending side immediately take a quick throw. Please can you confirm the following two options can
take place:
1. Can a quick throw take place by the non offending team?
2. Has the non offending side the option of a throw in from the touch or scrum as a means of restarting the match?

Ruling:
1. The Designated Members confirm that the quick throw cannot be taken as advantage cannot be played after the ball is dead.
The Definition of dead on page (viii) of the IRB Law Book 2008 is The ball is out of play.
2. The referee will award a scrum at the place of infringement in accordance with Law
12.1 (a).

Jeepers. An interesting afternoon yesterday. My self-built protocols don’t permit me to pass full thoughts across, but it constantly amazes me how hard it is for teams to not get a pretty clear message. Did they learn? No. Did I feel at all bad about reinforcing the message – no.

Did the right side win – they sure did. Rugby is the winner!

Busy week this week. Been drafted in to do a students cup semi and then I’ve been reappointed for the weekend.

And I’ve got a cracking graze all over my right shin. Wearing trousers today has been a tad awkward. Ouch.

Erm, one is amused that according to the RFU appointments, I am due to be in both Birmingham and Brighton this afternoon. Not quite sure which one to go to…..

Hey ho. Nice day for it. And I don’t even have to referee. Im number 4 for the Senior Cup semi final so I get to look after lots of replacements, 2 het up sets of coaches and watch the paperwork. Think I’d rather be in the middle….

But tomorrow brings the proper game. Ive been honoured to be asked to referee the Hamsphire Cup Final. They are usually really good games, so hopefully the nice weather and something non-league related will bring the best out of everyone.

Will report back in tomorrow night.

Neutral referees for Lions tests

The International Rugby Board has announced that the referee appointments for the three British & Irish Lions Tests in South Africa will come from neutral countries.

The decision comes after IRB Match Official Selection Committee Chairman David Pickering and IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien met with management from the British & Irish Lions and South Africa teams in Dubai last week to discuss the selection criteria for the 2009 tour.

“We shared a very positive meeting with management from both teams and discussed the selection criteria for the three Test matches. All agreed that the most appropriate policy is the appointment of neutral referees from within the IRB High Performance Referee Panel,” said O’Brien.

“It was also agreed that the referee appointments for the seven additional provincial tour matches will be made by the IRB from the Panel regardless of nationality and will be merit-based,” added O’Brien.

The IRB Match Official Selection Committee will meet in Dublin on April 25-26 to consider the appointments for the tour as well as the June-September Test matches, including Tri Nations, Pacific Nations Cup and scheduled tours.

Source: IRB.com