Dixie
Referees in England
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Blackberry makes reference to this in another thread, but as it involved a club I once played for I thought I would make specific reference to it.
http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/14...en_called_off/
http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co...icate-match-with-Chipping-Norton-28042016.htm
The original game between Chipping Norton and Slough in England's 8th tier was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. The rematch was again defeated by the weather, and I believe that on both occasions the Slough team made the 130-mile round trip to hosts Chipping Norton. After the second cancellation, the teams and the ref agreed to pretend that the game had taken place, and was a 24-24 draw with both teams gaining a 4-try bonus point. The impetus seems to have been solely to avoid a third lengthy round trip for the visitors, as both were solidly mid-table and in danger of neither glory nor relegation.
When the league uncovered what had taken place, both teams were docked 10 league points - which caused the hosts to be relegated. The referee was suspended for his part in the fraud, but seems to have taken the ignominy as a cue to retire.
While I can understand the impulse that made someone suggest the idea, I will forever be at a loss to explain how it went from there to actual execution. Let's hope the lessons are learned.
http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/14...en_called_off/
http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co...icate-match-with-Chipping-Norton-28042016.htm
The original game between Chipping Norton and Slough in England's 8th tier was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. The rematch was again defeated by the weather, and I believe that on both occasions the Slough team made the 130-mile round trip to hosts Chipping Norton. After the second cancellation, the teams and the ref agreed to pretend that the game had taken place, and was a 24-24 draw with both teams gaining a 4-try bonus point. The impetus seems to have been solely to avoid a third lengthy round trip for the visitors, as both were solidly mid-table and in danger of neither glory nor relegation.
When the league uncovered what had taken place, both teams were docked 10 league points - which caused the hosts to be relegated. The referee was suspended for his part in the fraud, but seems to have taken the ignominy as a cue to retire.
While I can understand the impulse that made someone suggest the idea, I will forever be at a loss to explain how it went from there to actual execution. Let's hope the lessons are learned.
