Month: March 2022

A road trip down memory lane today, destination – Cumbria. Three games, three referees. Hold on tight. It is a long way to Cumbria, in the middle of winter, even though it is an attractive part of the world. Most of it. George Hinds, John Pepworth, Albert Newbrook and I often used to make a weekend of it. I am the only one still living of that group (at the time of writing). My first game, and first referee, is Cockermouth and one-eyed Norman. He literally did have only one eye; metaphorically, too. He was a French teacher, from Carlisle, apparently. We were in North West 1 back then, level 7, and it was bring-your-own touch judge. I was that touch judge. There was no discernible touchline, in places, and I got a bit of stick from the crowd for missing a foot in touch. In the end, we won. […]

Odd goings on at Luctonians a few weeks ago. The home side was leading Rotherham 10-5 into the final play, but Rotherham scored a try. The conversion sparked off all the fun. The assistant referees ruled it good, the referee agreed, and blew the final whistle. Then there was a rethink, and the score was recorded as 10-10, with Roth a bit disgruntled. However, following a ‘dialogue’ between National League Rugby and the RFU, the goal is confirmed good – not because it necessarily went over, but because at the time when the final whistle was blown, that was how matters stood. Lucs 10-12 Roth. Final score. The whole episode sparked off a memory. Sedgley at Vale of Lune in the Lancashire Cup, 1990s? I could remember the player involved, and the referee, and I could definitely remember the result. We lost! It took me some time to find the […]

On Saturday we were at home to Yorkshire rivals Hull Ionians, a team we had beaten narrowly at their ground back in October. Spirits were high in the Sedgley camp after the incredible win the previous week up at Fylde. Despite this we knew that this would be a difficult game against a well organised, powerful team who had not lost since before Christmas. We started the game well playing up the hill with a solid set piece and good attacking shape but it was the visitors who took the early lead with a well worked try for their fly half who made a good line break after just five minutes. They added the conversion to make it 0-7 and were playing with confidence and continuity. We broke back eight minutes later with a wonderful try for flying winger Jamie Harrison who outstripped three defenders to touch down near the […]