A little over twelve months ago CPOPT Helen Richardson watched England Women defeat Italy in the last match for the then England Women’s Team Manager, Janette Shaw, at the Twickenham Stoop. She was more than a spectator because as Janette stood down, so Helen stepped up to the role of England Women’s Team Manager. On that afternoon England had bounced back from a loss to Wales, and it was Wales who were to be the opposition upon her return when England played their last home fixture of the 2016 Women’s Six Nations Championship. Helen was able to watch her side secure a 20-13 victory to keep their title aspirations alive. Though they were to miss ...
So, as we enter the final few weeks of the core rugby season I thought it would be apt to review how my first season has been as a “new” (not anymore) rugby referee.
To sum it up, it has been brilliant and goes down as one of the best sporting decisions I have ever made. It has not been without hard work and dedication but I have made an abundance of new friends, travelled to places I have never been to before, witnessed the good and very worst of what our beloved sport has to offer; and all this whilst having fun, or at least varying degrees of fun, along the way.
So what has happened since my last update in August 2015?
I joined a referee society. Hamps...
Having not played since the emphatic defeat of Devonport Services way back in January, it was no wonder the President’s XV were a little rusty. A side with just five hours together and only three of the successful Estonia tourists gracing the field, the President’s team had to swell their numbers from the now game-less Mariners XV (Mortensen and Fentum) due to player unavailability. The opposition, the RAF Hawks, were looking to improve upon their 24 all draw against Middlesex earlier in the year.
On a bitter night at HMS Collingwood the RN kicked off into the RAF 22 where the Hawks showed their desire to run from deep, a theme for the rest of the match. At the six minute ...
From the outset of this match the Royal Navy were under pressure as the home side monopolised the early possession and kept the Royal Navy deep in their own half. For a side that was forced in to so many late changes the fact that the Royal Navy Women’s defence held as well as if did for so long is a credit to the team. However eventually yield it did and this allowed the Marine Nationale Feminines to gradually build their lead before retaining the Entente Cordial Trophy 34-3. Both in the first half and second, the Royal Navy did produce some attacking opportunities of their own but were unable to cross the French goal line. Anne Marie McIntyre, Eileen Tuiva...
The Marine Nationale levelled the Babcock International series for the first time since 2006 with a hard fought victory at Toulon’s Stade Mayol. Though the man of the match was awarded to their scrum half Thibault Dufau, it was fly half Damien Anon, who once more proved the Royal Navy’s undoing as his game management and tactical kicking controlled the game from start to finish. Regretably the match will be remembered for a brawl in which both teams lost their self control. This type of behaviour has no place in the game. Two red cards, one for each side, were awarded. From the restart Anon calmly went about extending the home side’s lead.&...
