More Drivel!
Fortress Adams Park?
By KevinTheB
March 7 2012
It looked like Newcastle were going to close the gap right up this weekend, but what would appear to be a good response to players coming back to the squad saw us edge away just a little again. With the end drawing closer now, there might have been some regrets from our fellow strugglers at the triple citings on the table after “unfair play” on the Friday night.
I have a view on this, and it’s one that goes back a good few years as both a player and a ref.
In an Old Palmerians away game, before Merit Tables really effed up proper rugby, against local rivals Harold Hill, or ‘Arold ‘Ill as we knew them, my prop was seen to wander to the touchline after over-exposure to some rather exuberant and unwarranted knuckle action from one of the less disciplined players on the opposition side, with the comment “I’ve had enough of this, I’ve got to go to work on Monday!” The position was brought about due to the inability of the (admittedly home-side replacement being given the whistle after the Society Wallah didn’t show up) referee to cope with the situation.
In another game, this time while I was refereeing the Old Palmerians seconds against PLA, one of the PLA players was consistently failing to allow the OPs to take a tap and go – so I sent him off. Both captains appealed to ask me to allow him to remain, the convincing argument being “Ref, it’s only a second team game, and he’s too stupid to understand!”
In the Quins game on Friday night, there was a lot of distinctly borderline stuff going on, and depending whether you were the one giving or getting, it was either “a very physical game” or “crossing the line”. Taiasina Tu'ifua (who seemed to have been withdrawn from the fray at half time by the Newcastle management to avoid a red card potentially being given) was the biggest culprit, driving that eminent deckchair salesman Nick Easter to comment to the referee (I believe it was Mr Small but I’m open to correction) that “You need to get a grip on the cheap shots”. The referee seemed to be aggrieved at being told what to do and awarded a penalty AGAINST Easter.
Now the game on Friday was played at a completely different level to my rugby (in the same way that a 20 year old Lada and a brand new BMW are both cars) but the players still deserve the protection of the referee to ensure that their physical safety isn’t compromised. Some people have been very “It’s a man’s game” about this, but I bet they have never experienced a shoulder charge from a Polynesian at throat level. And the referee has to accept that sometimes he has to make a call about a sending off and could get it wrong, but has to err for safety. It would appear that the citing officer and the Newcastle coaching team both reached the same conclusion.
The referee on Friday night got it 100% wrong.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Difficulties arise in the pro game where the intensity of legal contact is such as to be incredibly dangerous for ordinary mortals. I particularly hate the "clear out" which is being practiced from youth level upwards and is far more intense contact than anything I ever did or had done to me on a pitch.
Once you are allowing that level of contact as a norm the odd punch does not seem so out of place if you are in the moment - to those watching on TV or to a dispassionate citing officer it might well seem so. Now I recognise that some of the activity on Friday did pass anyone's definition of the borderline - well nearly anyone's and am not seeking to be an apologist but we do need to recognise that the context of a professional rugby field does set boundaries that are different from the lower merit tables.
When I referee the Old Rottinghamians Extra Bs my quick check is if the victim is going to suffer on Sunday then it is a yellow - if it is likely to affect him working on Monday it is a red. Not a universal panacea just a starting point for me.
PS I realise you are no longer a regular visitor to AP but it has changed quite a lot since that picture was taken
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:07:17:25:35 by Sudbury Survivor.
In my youngest sons ealy playing career ( U10s) he was punched in the face in a 3 man scrum by one of the Salisbury team. Ref did nothing.
Sadly, after nearly every game, win or lose, I am disatisfied with the refereeing. Friday was another such day. :-(
Quote:OLoingseach
A player at decidedly "Am" level here in Bath has just been sentenced to 6 months for breaking an opponent's jaw having run over to an altercation to join in.
In my youngest sons ealy playing career ( U10s) he was punched in the face in a 3 man scrum by one of the Salisbury team. Ref did nothing.
This time last year an ~Italian No.6 through 3 punches at Nathan Morris Off the Ball ,K.O.ing him and Blowing his upper lip into 3 pieces.
Punishment 3 weeks ban. there was no support for him (nathan)then many posters laughed it off as high spirits.
were do you draw the line? or is the line moving?
The Assistant Referee referred to the Upper Cut by Vickers as a slap!!! I dont know how Joe Marler a) remained upright and b) did not retaliate.
It is fortunate for Wasps that Gopperth missed two straight forward kicks. However the fact that Nick Evans missed three kicks led to us only being 8 points clear and not 10 points clear.
Keith Johnson
Camra Member 224855.
PS BRING BACK BARNEY WE NEED MORE ARGUMENTS!!!!
Quote:finchleywasp
More drivel!---Hugo Ellis just been released by the Dragons.
A young player with so much promise.
He did look a bit lightweight for a No8 in his last season with us but I was still very surprised when we let him go. Looks like he has filled out a bit according to his profile on dragons site. 6'3 16st 10lb.
Id give him another chance ...
Quote:A young player with so much promise.
He did look a bit lightweight for a No8 in his last season with us but I was still very surprised when we let him go. Looks like he has filled out a bit according to his profile on dragons site. 6'3 16st 10lb.
Id give him another chance ...
2 league starts in 2 season for the Dragons, the worst Welsh region? No thanks.