Donal1988
Referees in Ireland
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- Jan 6, 2009
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Hi everyone,
Refereed a colts level game this morning Gold v Blue. Captains joked with me at the coin toss that there were a few hungover heads after Munster v Northampton and the mood seemed jovial - Blue captain suggested his props were very inexperienced and stressed they may need to go uncontested. Gold captain said no problem. At kick off this seemed like a walk in the park. How wrong was I. . . .
25 minutes into first half and there is a tackle made by Blue. A ruck sets up with two Blue players on the wrong side - not interfering with play. They can't move out of way but aren't affecting play at all. Gold have secured the ball but take their time. Blue counter ruck. I'm conscious of the men on the ground and blow my whistle for unplayable (as a management tool; the ball actually was playable) but too late and I could see it coming. Blue #4 (who was lying on the ground) tried to get out of the ruck and and a Gold #6 came into the ruck legally but at pace. The result was a horrible knee to the face, breaking Blue #4s nose.
I saw it, it wasn't intentional or even reckless; just a horrible accident. The result was chaos - Blue coach had to be restrained and tried to get at Gold #6 and it took the presence of several spectators to restrain the Blue coach and Gold coach from each other. I told the captains I was headed home and went to leave. Both coaches approached me about a minute later as I was leaving the field, apologised, told me they calmed down and would remain in the technical areas for the remainder of the match.
We restarted with a scrum and the half continued without incident. Both coaches approached me again at half time and the three of us had a friendly chat talking about the Heineken Cup matches wehad seen over the weekend. The mood seemed lightened and the half time score - Gold 3, Blue 7
13 minutes into the second half, Gold were in possession inside the Blue 22 area. After a ruck, the Gold scrumhalf threw a pass to his flyhalf. This pass hit the ground and the flyhalf gathered it. The Blue #9 rushed forward and kicked the ball carrier across the legs. I judged the players intentions to be aimed at the bouncing ball rather than the ball carrier and deemded the act reckless.
Several Gold players pushed and shoved the Blue #9 and Blue #11 took exception to this. I counted him punching two separate players and when the teams were separated he was still trying to get at the opposition screaming and cursing at them, being held back by his captain. He got a red card and #9 got a yellow card.
Gold got a try when Blue were reduced to 13 men and the scrumhalf returned to the field. Literally, 2 minutes later Gold made a long clearance kick and the Blue #9 was under the high ball and fumbled it. I judged that he knocked on and whistled for it. He tried to argue the decision. I told him I could change a scrum to a penalty easily. He continued to dissent saying at one point "it wasn't a knock on, you can't ref a ****ing match" - he got a second yellow and therefore a red.
Gold got another try in his absense to make it 17-7. I wasnt happy with my positioning for this try but I know I got the call right. Blue had a scrum on own 5m and passed back to flyhalf who was blocked down and a try was scored. Had a clear view but over anticiapted and was 10m away from the try.
Anyway it was quite a game to say the least - on top of that I injured my ankle with 5 minutes to go which is now painful.
Hope you've found this a useful read. I learnt a lot today.
Refereed a colts level game this morning Gold v Blue. Captains joked with me at the coin toss that there were a few hungover heads after Munster v Northampton and the mood seemed jovial - Blue captain suggested his props were very inexperienced and stressed they may need to go uncontested. Gold captain said no problem. At kick off this seemed like a walk in the park. How wrong was I. . . .
25 minutes into first half and there is a tackle made by Blue. A ruck sets up with two Blue players on the wrong side - not interfering with play. They can't move out of way but aren't affecting play at all. Gold have secured the ball but take their time. Blue counter ruck. I'm conscious of the men on the ground and blow my whistle for unplayable (as a management tool; the ball actually was playable) but too late and I could see it coming. Blue #4 (who was lying on the ground) tried to get out of the ruck and and a Gold #6 came into the ruck legally but at pace. The result was a horrible knee to the face, breaking Blue #4s nose.
I saw it, it wasn't intentional or even reckless; just a horrible accident. The result was chaos - Blue coach had to be restrained and tried to get at Gold #6 and it took the presence of several spectators to restrain the Blue coach and Gold coach from each other. I told the captains I was headed home and went to leave. Both coaches approached me about a minute later as I was leaving the field, apologised, told me they calmed down and would remain in the technical areas for the remainder of the match.
We restarted with a scrum and the half continued without incident. Both coaches approached me again at half time and the three of us had a friendly chat talking about the Heineken Cup matches wehad seen over the weekend. The mood seemed lightened and the half time score - Gold 3, Blue 7
13 minutes into the second half, Gold were in possession inside the Blue 22 area. After a ruck, the Gold scrumhalf threw a pass to his flyhalf. This pass hit the ground and the flyhalf gathered it. The Blue #9 rushed forward and kicked the ball carrier across the legs. I judged the players intentions to be aimed at the bouncing ball rather than the ball carrier and deemded the act reckless.
Several Gold players pushed and shoved the Blue #9 and Blue #11 took exception to this. I counted him punching two separate players and when the teams were separated he was still trying to get at the opposition screaming and cursing at them, being held back by his captain. He got a red card and #9 got a yellow card.
Gold got a try when Blue were reduced to 13 men and the scrumhalf returned to the field. Literally, 2 minutes later Gold made a long clearance kick and the Blue #9 was under the high ball and fumbled it. I judged that he knocked on and whistled for it. He tried to argue the decision. I told him I could change a scrum to a penalty easily. He continued to dissent saying at one point "it wasn't a knock on, you can't ref a ****ing match" - he got a second yellow and therefore a red.
Gold got another try in his absense to make it 17-7. I wasnt happy with my positioning for this try but I know I got the call right. Blue had a scrum on own 5m and passed back to flyhalf who was blocked down and a try was scored. Had a clear view but over anticiapted and was 10m away from the try.
Anyway it was quite a game to say the least - on top of that I injured my ankle with 5 minutes to go which is now painful.
Hope you've found this a useful read. I learnt a lot today.
