Chris "Tibbs" Tibble's Match Reports
- Thread starter Tibbs
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Portsmouth Ladies vs. Reading Ladies
Portsmouth Ladies (5) vs. Reading Ladies (21)
My first time refereeing a ladies’ game, and a different set of challenges. Keeping up with play wasn’t an issue, but the style of play was different and the level of ‘professional’ play was at a level I didn’t expect.
Reading came into the match wanting to win, and it showed. P had got a draw at R earlier in the season and R were out for revenge.
It was really backs vs. forwards. R had better backs and just about managed to get parity in the forwards. That way P were never going to win. They couldn’t get dominance up front where they should have had it, and had no answer when R put it out wide.
One nasty incident, there was a tackle and a pop, and one of the ladies was out with a broken ankle. Nothing malicious, just a bad landing.
Discipline was interesting. There were a couple of hot heads on each side, but these were managed quite well internally, and I only had to have a word with the captains once.
The captains were much quieter than I was used to, and the sidelines were not too bad apart from a potty mouthed woman with poor taste in sunglasses and the chap who volunteered to run the line who thought that gave him the right to ‘point out’ transgressions to me. I usually cover off roles and responsibilities to TJs before the game, when I’m ‘smiley approachable’ Chris, but I didn’t so he got the ‘I’m refereeing don’t f*ck with me’ Chris. Apart from that, it wasn’t too bad!
All in all, considering how much I hurt before the game from the match on Sunday I did ok. I really ache today!
Given the opportunity I’ll definitely referee ladies again. The level of management skill needed is higher than I am used to, but the pace is about the same, so I have time to think about what’s going on and hopefully get the decisions right. This game definitely taught me I need to switch sides on the rucks and mauls more often…
Portsmouth Ladies (5) vs. Reading Ladies (21)
My first time refereeing a ladies’ game, and a different set of challenges. Keeping up with play wasn’t an issue, but the style of play was different and the level of ‘professional’ play was at a level I didn’t expect.
Reading came into the match wanting to win, and it showed. P had got a draw at R earlier in the season and R were out for revenge.
It was really backs vs. forwards. R had better backs and just about managed to get parity in the forwards. That way P were never going to win. They couldn’t get dominance up front where they should have had it, and had no answer when R put it out wide.
One nasty incident, there was a tackle and a pop, and one of the ladies was out with a broken ankle. Nothing malicious, just a bad landing.
Discipline was interesting. There were a couple of hot heads on each side, but these were managed quite well internally, and I only had to have a word with the captains once.
The captains were much quieter than I was used to, and the sidelines were not too bad apart from a potty mouthed woman with poor taste in sunglasses and the chap who volunteered to run the line who thought that gave him the right to ‘point out’ transgressions to me. I usually cover off roles and responsibilities to TJs before the game, when I’m ‘smiley approachable’ Chris, but I didn’t so he got the ‘I’m refereeing don’t f*ck with me’ Chris. Apart from that, it wasn’t too bad!
All in all, considering how much I hurt before the game from the match on Sunday I did ok. I really ache today!
Given the opportunity I’ll definitely referee ladies again. The level of management skill needed is higher than I am used to, but the pace is about the same, so I have time to think about what’s going on and hopefully get the decisions right. This game definitely taught me I need to switch sides on the rucks and mauls more often…
It's about level 11/12. Chi 4 is their vets team, and Worthing 5 is officially their 'turn up and we'll get you on' team, though they have had a much more stable player base this year.
They both play in Sussex 3 West, so are about the same in terms of levels. Worthing is by far the larger club (London 1 v. London SE3 for Chi) so have more teams.
Chris