..entail a trip to the Midlands. What fun. A3, M25 and M1. No possibility of drama there then.

Enjoy your whistling chaps and chapettes!

Ref

NB Some photo’s can be very unflattering taken out of context!!

Morning all

Interesting discussion following game yesterday with assessor.

I will explain all later but if anyone has the ruling that came out about 18 months ago (following the law change)  relating to the sin binning of Penalty Try-causing players, can they send it to me at ref@refblog.co.uk

Thanks

Ref

….I will mostly be working on:
1) positioning at breakdown. In, out, spin

2) solid engage and hold and back row bind

3) clear communication.

4) keeping active, no rest for the wicked!

…and remembering to enjoy myself.

Have fun wherever you are whistling, flagging, assessing, coaching or watching.

Cheers

Ref

Trekked down to the South West on Saturday for a Div One game with a flag in my hand. Unlike some of my colleagues, I actually quite enjoy running touch. It’s an entirely different kettle of fish requiring a different skill set. Not sure I’d do it week in, week out though. Makes you really appreciate those that do!

It’s nice to be there as number 1, as it shows that someone, somewhere has confidence in my abilities. If the ref had gone down in the first 10 minutes (it’s happened!), yours truly would have ruined the remainining 70!

Quite a quiet afternoon really, only the one piece of foul play input. Thought twice about it but with a chippy replacement on, he was holding his much larger second row oppo back who then retaliated with a swinging arm. No contact, but needed to bring it to the attention. Penalty had already been awarded so I stood by that, with a recommendation for him to have words with them both. No drama.

Strange how the blood starts to run very quickly when the flag goes horizontal. At this level everything is on display, watched, analysed, and there can be big money at stake so its uber-important to get it right.  I think Im now tuned in to getting it accurate, but it really does make you wonder. If you’re going to be running touch, do take some time to think about it before you rock up, flag in hand, ready to ref from the side.   I have no idea how the ref did on Sat, I was generally 5 seconds behind him watching everyone get up off the ground.  If you can’t say the same, were you really TJing properly?

Anyone got any interesting to report?

75 rugby international players were lost during the Second World War.  137 were lost during the First World War.

Let’s remember them all, and everyone else who was lost duirng tmes of war

From: www.rugby365.com:

SA Referees suspend touch judges

Friday 02nd November 2007

South African referees have suspended two touch judges, Deon van Blommestein and Louis Mzomba, after a wrong decision in the Currie Cup semi-final between the Blue Bulls and the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Van Blommestein and Mzomba, both experienced referees, were touch judges at the semi-final refereed by Craig Joubert. Just before half-time, Derick Hougaard kicked a long kick at goal from a penalty. The ball dipped just over the crossbar. The touch judges, each perfectly placed at a goalpost each and therefore just under the crossbar, did not signal the kick over but pointed towards the ball when it went over the dead-ball line. The result was a drop-out to the Cheetahs.

The SA Referees discussed the matter, and the referees’ manager André Watson had a conference call with the two touch judges concerned. SA Referees then issued the following judgement:

“In reviewing the incident the committee found DVD/video evidence that clearly showed that the kick did in fact go over. The committee found that the performance by the two touch judges was not what was expected at this level and that the action – or non-action – bordered on negligence of the primary duties of touch judging.

“Accordingly, the review committee has decided to implement the following measures:

“1. That the two touch judges be removed from duties at this level for one year with 9 months suspended till the end of 2008. This means that the two touch judges are suspended from touch judge duties for an effective 3-month period commencing on 1st January the 2008 and ending on 31st March 2008.

“2. Further, that both touch judges perform remedial duties in terms of providing the manager of SA referees with a written report during the above 3-month period on the performances of touch judges in the Super 14 and Vodacom Cup competitions. They will be required to view one game per weekend and provide a report.

“The SA Referees Department would like to extend its sincere apology to the players, coaches and officials involved and indeed to the entire rugby public of SA, whilst ensuring all of its best intention to prevent similar incidents in the future. The two touch judges involved, expressed their remorse.”

No, this is not that sort of blog!!!!! 😉

 Been having an issue of late with my positioning at the breakdown. Been getting infield, sorting out the breakdown, moving out and then getting stuck. Using the clock analogy, I would say Im getting to about the 4 o’clock spot.

 I’m not getting square on (an old problem!) but then letting the ball go behind me. Makes me unsighted and flat footed.

Working hard at it, but any suggestions?

Im on duty on Monday evening so had a Sat off this weekend although that was  almost blown out of the water. Almost called up to run touch in London but Im indebted to one of my dear readers for being closer than me at the time of reckoning!

Just heard my Mon night game has had the oppo changed, so now will be faced with an international front row and number 8 on the visiting side rather than the anticipated Div1 squad players. Big bowl of pasta at lunchtime for me!

Hope I can get away from work in good time!