Waspsfan
Referees in England
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2010
- Messages
- 504
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- Current Referee grade:
- Level 5
Really interesting Premiership clash last night which has well and truly brought 'man off' and 'STE' into the public eye.
Bath have their replacement hooker injured with about 15-20 minutes to go in a very close and important game. Their starting hooker is already replaced due to injury.
Matt Carley (who I thought was superb under pressure) enquired if Bath had anyone else capable of playing hooker and is informed 'no'. This is after discussion with the Bath sideline and fourth official Wayne Barnes. MC informs Bath players that the scrums are therefore now uncontested and that Bath are not allowed to replace their injured hooker and will have to play with 14!
Queue much anger from Bath who seem to have never even heard of this ruling, with an equally idiotic response from the BT Sport commentators. Bath particularly upset as this didn't come up in their Gloucester game recently which went uncontested (because the prop was red carded hence no 'man off')
Realising they will have to play with 14, the Bath replacement prop declares I can play hooker. After discussion MC goes with the player's declaration of STE and the game continues 15 each with contested scrums. Lots to discuss!
Some messy scrums after that and hilarious not straights at lineout but fortunately no injuries.
Game ends with a big screen decision regarding a late hit which the entire Bath crowd want giving as it will win Bath the match. MC declares no penalty (right call) and very good under intense pressure.
Bath have their replacement hooker injured with about 15-20 minutes to go in a very close and important game. Their starting hooker is already replaced due to injury.
Matt Carley (who I thought was superb under pressure) enquired if Bath had anyone else capable of playing hooker and is informed 'no'. This is after discussion with the Bath sideline and fourth official Wayne Barnes. MC informs Bath players that the scrums are therefore now uncontested and that Bath are not allowed to replace their injured hooker and will have to play with 14!
Queue much anger from Bath who seem to have never even heard of this ruling, with an equally idiotic response from the BT Sport commentators. Bath particularly upset as this didn't come up in their Gloucester game recently which went uncontested (because the prop was red carded hence no 'man off')
Realising they will have to play with 14, the Bath replacement prop declares I can play hooker. After discussion MC goes with the player's declaration of STE and the game continues 15 each with contested scrums. Lots to discuss!
Some messy scrums after that and hilarious not straights at lineout but fortunately no injuries.
Game ends with a big screen decision regarding a late hit which the entire Bath crowd want giving as it will win Bath the match. MC declares no penalty (right call) and very good under intense pressure.