… and another ELV “clarification” I bring with me.

That’s two in two weeks. Last week was the disintegration, delib or otherwise, of the maul. This week the defending “hooker” at the lineout.

Apparently the ERC gathering last week ahead of the cross border comps brought out some differences in interpretations across Europe as to where the defending hooker can stand in the lineout. RFU said it was the “immediate” opposite, so should be close to the l/o. Some others, including the WRU I hear, had interpreted it to be anywhere in the 10m channel. They couldn’t agree so sent it up to the IRB who have ruled with the “anywhere in the 10m” approach. If that’s what they meant, why didn’t they write it in the ELV!?!

What I don’t get is why a defending side would not want that player in the 5m channel at the front of the lineout. Otherwise it leaves a rather large hole for the attacking side. Hey ho – we just do what we’re told.

Looking forward to this afternoon. Got one of the so-called top sides against one of the lower end sides. Don’t think either would disagree with those descriptions although from what Ive learnt so far in Div 1, league “status” or position don’t mean much when you blow your whistle to kick a game off. Lots of the “big” sides have a habit of not dominating these games and have the wrong mindset. Can’t comment on that, but we’ll see.

Been thinking of my mental prep this week. Had a feeling that Im not totally focused and have been making some silly mistakes in my approach to players and incidents. Missed a yellow card opportunity the other week when I spoke to a player about a breakdown penalty, before I spoke to the TJ about a flag he had put in.  Had I not done so, I would have then binned the player as a result of persistent offenses in the move. Not match effecting as the f.p player then presented me with the chance to put him in the bin 2 mins later. But that’s not the point.

Will see how my brain handles this afternoon.

Fresh from the IRB:

IRB Ruling #4 2008

Apologies for the lack of posting of late. Been a bit manic with one thing or another.

Well, third Saturday into the season and Im two Div 1s in the middle, one on the side and one AR run out at an A League game.

Conclusions?

Well, as I suspected the ELVs were talked about a lot over the summer, but haven’t really had a huge impact in terms of decision making for us officials. A few mauls pulled down, a few taken back ins and kicked straight out but nothing to write home about. The main thing Ive spotted is the necessity of the teams to establish a quality kicking game. Some Ive seen so far have done so, other less so. The 10’s/FBs are having to be much more accurate in where they drop the balls into the defending 22. Has meant more ball in play time, or so it feels. Not sure if there is any stats so far to back it up.

Speaking of which, Statubunker is fast becoming a must read site for me (www.statbunker.co.uk/rugby) – seems Im currently second in the Referee Report table for my yellow card count!!! 3 in 2 games.

Anyway, back to the refereeing. First match of the season, naturally saw me in the far south west. A good starter, in front of the Nat Dev Mgr. Could have been a whole lot worse, and really pleased to get it under my belt. Really worked hard in first half but then eased off, especially in the contact area. Not to the detriment of the game, but at this level, when you’re being watched, you’re being watched!!

Last weekend, was a different kettle of fish. Was on Sunday duty up in Yorkshire and for some reason I just didn’t begin to sort things out until about 25 mins. Where I sorted the tackle out in the previous week, I just didn’t!  The only thing I can put my finger on, is that I didn’t have comms in the first half (despite testing them both inside and out beforehand). Whether the bit of my brain that should have been focusing on what was in front of my eyes was musing on the lack of radio’s – who knows. Maybe I need therapy to get to the bottom on that one. Needless to say, the DVD I got last night was not pleasant reading. The nice video company had clipped out 32 breakdown/rucks from the first half. Not pretty viewing, but necessary – even if it is to make sure that it never happens again!

Well, my motto in these scenarios is “Accept and Move on” – so that is what I intend to do. Learn the lessons, and make sure my next run out next weekend is free of that sort of thing.

Whatever you’ve all been up to this afternoon, I trust it went well and wish you all, dear readers, a prosperous and fun-filled season.

Cheers

Ref

In a shock turn up from the RFU Appointments Bureau, your favourite blogging ref has been sent to the South West for the first weekend of the season.

I will therefore be in my usual hotel on Friday night so will use the time to set the scene for the season and what I expect to happen.

Going to be a good season, hopefully both on the pitch and off it!!  Regular readers will be pleased to hear that RefBlog Jnr is progressing nicely and is already causing some problems for Mrs Refblog. Not sure I understand the biology but its apparently not that nice to be kicked in the bladder from the inside. What do I know!

Well, the kit bag is in the hall, the radio’s are charged, my shirts are on their hangers,  but I have’t managed to get my hair cut for my TV appearance in the morning!

Hey ho!

Sky Sports Xtra – 11.20!

Followed by an afternoon runout in SW London with a Nat 3 side v a Nat 2 side. Not quite the gentle run out I was hoping for for my first game under the ELVs.

Will report back this week on how it goes.

Of small blonde ladies, who purport to work in gyms and have “Personal Trainer” on their polo shirts. They are not. They are the emissionaries of pain. And you have to pay them.

Max Moseley got into all sorts of trouble for something not entirely unsimilar!!

Fitness test – passed (well survived)

Appointments – very pleased with first batch

Pre-season games – worried by lack of

Middlesex 7s – no longer refereeing (see point 2)

ELV presentation 1 – amused by complete lack of knowledge of 2 year old law by the county’s coaches, never mind new lot!

Training – going OK. Not brilliant, but OK. Training with local club tomorrow. Hopefully first run out with ELVS

Mrs Ref – blooming!

Apparently, this is my 100th post -hurrah for me!!

Long old trek up north yesterday for the thrice yearly fitness test. I’m sure, dear readers, you love such events as much as me, and I can’t begin to scribe my exact feelings! Pleased to say there was progress in most areas and I wasn’t instantly thrown off the National Panel afterwards so I guess all is well.

Still not happy with how I am, but still a few weeks off the start of the season. Got a feel for my first batch of appointments and I’m pretty pleased – carrying on where I left off last year so again, pretty chuffed.

I’ll be carrying on blogging throughout the season – I’ve enjoyed the last 100 posts and hope the next 100 are as enjoyable – for us all. If you want to pass the link around your Society, please do so. Im occasionally disappointed by the readership levels, but that’s not why I do this!

Hope your summer’s are going well!

Happy holidays!

I bit the bullet a few weeks ago and got myself a personal trainer – a delightful (looking) lady at my local gym.  I regret it at this stage on a Thursday night. I can’t remember the last time I felt so bad after any form of exercise. She kills me! Keep reminding msyelf that it’s all worth it end.

9 days and counting till the day of reckoning!

Seriously, if you can afford it, go for it. Ive been going to the gym for nearly 5 years and never worked as hard as I have for the last three weeks.  i suspect that like many refs, I train alone,and it obviously isn’t anywhere near as good as having someone there to tell you what to do and push you.