Simon Griffiths
Referees in England
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Referee Simon Griffiths
Grade 10
Result Torrington 18 v 17 Totnes
Description of the Match and its challenge for the game (Level 9)
The match was keenly contested but played in good spirit. There was only one notable incident of foul play where a Torrington player fended off a tackle with a straight arm. Totnes should have won the game comfortably, but their handling let them down on several occasions when in sight of the goal line. With the score 10-10 at half time the game was always going to be close and Torrington with the advantage of playing down the slope won it with a try two minutes from time.
Simon handled the game in a quiet and non-officious way which was appreciated by the players. He could perhaps stamp his own personality on the game a little more, but his verbal communication was generally effective, with both sides prepared to listen and act on his commands. He refereed the tackle law well and thus kept players on their feet most of the time. He is fit and always arrived at the breakdown in good time to see the initial offence. He does nevertheless, lack a sprint pace. He should work on this, since games at a higher level will be much faster. The overall penalty count was relatively low.
In all honesty, the match did not present much of a challenge to him, but you can only referee the game put in front of you. The one incident of foul play did however, warrant a yellow card, and thus in this area he could have been less lenient.
Please outline up to three areas for improvement (using Key Components) and OFFER SOLUTIONS
MAUL: I felt that Simon was rather static, once he had located the ball. Consequently, he missed players joining the maul offside, as well as the three-quarters creeping offside behind him. Furthermore, as the maul was driven to the goal line he was relatively slow to get in goal in order to judge any possible try.
Therefore, I feel he must circulate the maul a lot more (on the side of the team in possession). In addition, he should avoid “the chariot position”, since he is likely to get in the way of players joining the maul. Rubber necking is a suitable ploy to catch the three-quarters creeping offside. If players spot you doing this, it may well be enough of a deterrent. Always try to anticipate well in advance when there is a possibility of a try being scored and get into a position in-goal, early.
ADVANTAGE: On the day, Simon’s application of the advantage law was rather inconsistent, especially in the first half. In particular, he tended to blow too early for some offences (e.g. not straight at a line out and the ball not travelling the full 10 meters at a kick off) and thus leave enough time for advantage to develop. On the other hand, on occasions when advantage accrued for the defending side in their own 22, it was left for too long.
Unless are dealing with a safety issue or instances under Law 8.3, then always give time for an advantage to develop. You can always bring play back to the original offence even if considerable time has elapsed. Keep teams informed as to the progress of advantage; this was, on the whole, done well. It is best to keep your whistle away from your mouth in order that you give yourself time to assess the situation. However, defensive advantage is generally much shorter than when the team that has the advantage is in attack.
Please list up to three of the referee’s strengths in this match
TACKLE: This area was refereed well. Simon got to the breakdown quickly and was in position to give verbal commands or indeed, penalize any miscreants. He identified the offences accurately and apart from a 10 minute period early in the second half, succeeded in keeping most players on their feet.
KICKS: Simon kept players onside throughout the match. His fitness meant he had no problems keeping up with the game and only penalized when necessary e.g. when players loitered rather than retiring from the 10 meter zone after a kick and thus cut down their opposition’s options having not listened to his verbal communication.
Match Management and Potential
MD
Capable of refereeing at the next level.
Grade 10
Result Torrington 18 v 17 Totnes
Description of the Match and its challenge for the game (Level 9)
The match was keenly contested but played in good spirit. There was only one notable incident of foul play where a Torrington player fended off a tackle with a straight arm. Totnes should have won the game comfortably, but their handling let them down on several occasions when in sight of the goal line. With the score 10-10 at half time the game was always going to be close and Torrington with the advantage of playing down the slope won it with a try two minutes from time.
Simon handled the game in a quiet and non-officious way which was appreciated by the players. He could perhaps stamp his own personality on the game a little more, but his verbal communication was generally effective, with both sides prepared to listen and act on his commands. He refereed the tackle law well and thus kept players on their feet most of the time. He is fit and always arrived at the breakdown in good time to see the initial offence. He does nevertheless, lack a sprint pace. He should work on this, since games at a higher level will be much faster. The overall penalty count was relatively low.
In all honesty, the match did not present much of a challenge to him, but you can only referee the game put in front of you. The one incident of foul play did however, warrant a yellow card, and thus in this area he could have been less lenient.
Please outline up to three areas for improvement (using Key Components) and OFFER SOLUTIONS
MAUL: I felt that Simon was rather static, once he had located the ball. Consequently, he missed players joining the maul offside, as well as the three-quarters creeping offside behind him. Furthermore, as the maul was driven to the goal line he was relatively slow to get in goal in order to judge any possible try.
Therefore, I feel he must circulate the maul a lot more (on the side of the team in possession). In addition, he should avoid “the chariot position”, since he is likely to get in the way of players joining the maul. Rubber necking is a suitable ploy to catch the three-quarters creeping offside. If players spot you doing this, it may well be enough of a deterrent. Always try to anticipate well in advance when there is a possibility of a try being scored and get into a position in-goal, early.
ADVANTAGE: On the day, Simon’s application of the advantage law was rather inconsistent, especially in the first half. In particular, he tended to blow too early for some offences (e.g. not straight at a line out and the ball not travelling the full 10 meters at a kick off) and thus leave enough time for advantage to develop. On the other hand, on occasions when advantage accrued for the defending side in their own 22, it was left for too long.
Unless are dealing with a safety issue or instances under Law 8.3, then always give time for an advantage to develop. You can always bring play back to the original offence even if considerable time has elapsed. Keep teams informed as to the progress of advantage; this was, on the whole, done well. It is best to keep your whistle away from your mouth in order that you give yourself time to assess the situation. However, defensive advantage is generally much shorter than when the team that has the advantage is in attack.
Please list up to three of the referee’s strengths in this match
TACKLE: This area was refereed well. Simon got to the breakdown quickly and was in position to give verbal commands or indeed, penalize any miscreants. He identified the offences accurately and apart from a 10 minute period early in the second half, succeeded in keeping most players on their feet.
KICKS: Simon kept players onside throughout the match. His fitness meant he had no problems keeping up with the game and only penalized when necessary e.g. when players loitered rather than retiring from the 10 meter zone after a kick and thus cut down their opposition’s options having not listened to his verbal communication.
Match Management and Potential
MD
Capable of refereeing at the next level.