MATCH OBSERVER’S REPORT
REFEREE:
‘The Ref’
AR1:
AR1
AR2:
AR2
MATCH:
Birmingham & Solihull 29 pts
DATE:
v
Sheffield Tigers 0 pts
GAME CHALLENGE (including any objectives set by the referee)
Although there was a little rain early in the game this was a good day for playing rugby in front of a modest but
appreciative crowd. Much of the game was played in the visitors half with Birmingham moving the ball well to
score 4 tries in little over half an hour to illustrate their dominance and take a 29-0 lead whilst not conceding a
penalty. However, in the last 10 minutes they relaxed and allowed Sheffield into the game although they still
contained them.
The game was played in a good spirit (although towards the end of the half Sheffield did start to query
decisions) with players on both sides “getting on with it” and minimal unacceptable play. Overall not a difficult
game at this Level.
Player
safety and
well being
Officiating, Leadership & Management
Maintain core value behaviours when put
under pressure from players, coaches,
crowd and or media
Area
Competency Descriptors and Criteria
NYC
C
CC
a. Applies Core Values of: Teamwork, Discipline,
Enjoyment, Respect, Sportsmanship
C
b. Interacts in a non-threatening manner when under
pressure
C
c. Engages with ease when interacting with people
from a variety of backgrounds and roles
C
d. Uses strong erect body posture & movement when
explaining decisions under pressure
C
Comments only needed for NYCs. Refer to time of incident[s]
where necessary
Remained calm throughout.
See “e”.
The ref was completely relaxed and explained
himself well when Sheffield tried to pressurise him.
e. Communicates when under pressure in a clear &
concise manner
CC
f. Uses acceptable and appropriate off-field
communication skills
IE
g. Demonstrates an ability to observe, analyse and
make appropriate and acceptable decisions.
C
Although delivered firmly, some decision calling could
have been more accurate (see overall box).
h. Adapts refereeing style to the conditions/context and
challenges of the game.
C
The ref started with a commentary at all phases, but
this settled after approx. 1/15 and his communication
became much more appropriate, succinct and direct.
i. Manages cynical offences and foul play with
appropriate use of card.
IE
j. Manages inappropriate behaviour by players and/or
others in the playing environment.
IE
k. Effectively leads and manages the match official
team
CC
l. Intervenes appropriately to maintain the safety and
well-being of players
C
ARs were used very effectively to add to his
management. Genuine two way dialogue and the AR
input was welcomed and forthcoming.
Stopped the game immediately when he thought
there was a serious injury.
Area
Competency Descriptors and Criteria
NYC
C
CC
Comments only needed for NYCs. Refer to time of incident[s]
where necessary
MOs are requested to mark a competency as “CC” when the referee has exceeded expectations for the Level and Challenge of that
game and to mark it as a “C” when the performance meets expectations. When a referee does not meet expectations for that Level
then the competency should be marked as “NYC”. Comments, including relevant points/timings, must always be made when “NYC” is
awarded. Comments may also be made against “CC” and “C” markings. The “Overall Comment” box should also be used to expand
on comments or record comments not shown elsewhere and to note CIs and Law errors. Where a competence has not been tested
“IE” should be used.
Maul
Tackle & Ruck
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE:
1. Effective presence at each tackle & ruck i.e. “being
there” to enable preventative communication
2. Ensured tackler(s) released & moved away
C
3. Ensured tackled player(s) made ball available
immediately and moved away
C
4. Ensured players entered the tackle and ruck phase from
the correct side and on their feet
NYC
5. Ensured mauls were formed and ended correctly
NYC
6. Ensured players joined the maul correctly
Open play
7. Ensured all restart kicks were taken correctly & players
were onside
8. Ensured 10m space was available at PK & FK
9. Managed off-side players in general play
10. Detected all obvious forward passes and knock–ons
Lineout
Scrum
11. Managed offside lines for non-participants at ruck, maul,
scrum and lineout
12. Indicated the mark and ensured that the appropriate
engagement sequence was followed
13. Ensured scrums were stationary, square to touch and
players bound correctly
Advantage
NYC
14. Encouraged a fair contest for the ball
C
NYC
C
CC
C
C
C
NYC
NYC
15. Managed offside for participants
C
16. Effectively managed the lineout formation
C
17. Encouraged a fair contest for the ball
C
18. Managed across & along lineout offences
C
19. Applied advantage without undue pressure on the nonoffending side and allowed play to continue when the
advantage was gained
20. Communicated advantage and advantage over by signal
and voice
C
Although the ball was invariably available, too many
attackers (especially from the visitors) were allowed
to go to ground or enter from the side unchallenged.
As the game progressed, The ref stopped short of the
breakdown, when he needed to “get in there” and
encourage players to remain on their feet. Had he
done so and set standards some of the later
penalties might have been avoided.
Frequently The ref drifted into the scrumhalf channel
and had to move out of the way as the ball emerged.
Preventive communication to keep players onside
was good.
The maul at 1/12 was taken down and the ref was
following too far behind to see it although AR 1 did
call it in.
The ref tended to move early at kick offs and restarts
and, as a result, did not pick up that players were in
front of the kicker. At almost every S restart the kick
was taken 1m in front of the line and, whilst never
material, (although there was competition for the ball)
the kicker needed reminding of his obligations.
Identified offside players in open play and they
responded to his calls.
9 primary, 2 resets, 1 collapse, 2 penalties
The engagement sequence was good and although
The ref did warn players about their binding (and had
information fed in by his ARs) the Sheffield loose
head continued to infringe and was, eventually,
correctly penalised. However, the basic disparity in
scrummaging heights between S3 and B1 was never
effectively addressed.
Throw ins by both sides could have been straighter
on occasions to allow a contest.
There was little opportunity for advantage but The ref
used it appropriately as well as calling and signalling
clearly.
C
OVERALL COMMENT: with particular reference to ‘CCs’ and/or ‘NYCs’ and the achievement of game objectives
Overall the ref managed the game efficiently and it was obvious the players had confidence in him and
responded well. He did tend to “coast” at times when he could have been sprinting. He frequently stopped
short of the breakdown and this impacted upon his effectiveness. He has the speed and could have used it to
better effect rather than being satisfied he could see the game.
The ref needed be less tolerant of attackers going off their feet and joining from the side. Having said that he
ensured that players remained onside at the breakdown, providing space for the game to develop.
The ref made good use of downtime to make points re non material offences and used positive reinforcement to
praise positive responses to his instructions.
The ref needs to review his verbal accuracy. At1/5 he called “he’s onside” only to immediately award a penalty
for offside, which was not credible. Again, at 1/17 he penalised the tackler for not releasing although he had
done so. He did however play the ball before he got to his feet so the outcome was correct but the
communication was inaccurate.
The penalty and the communication at 1/33 were both incorrect. Sheffield 12 was penalised for “joining the
ruck in front of the rear feet” but he was there before the ruck commenced (there was no tackle) so both the
call and award of a penalty were incorrect and this error lead, indirectly, to a score.
Overall the ref’s signals and whistle were clear and unambiguous but one small point he might like to consider
is his time on/off signal, they were completely absent and, in a close game, players and club officials can get
anxious if they think the clock is still running.
All the points here are easily rectified and the ref showed that he has the ability to officiate at this Level.
MATCH OBSERVER:
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION – MATCH STATISTICS SUMMARY
First Half
Second Half
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Scrum Engagements
4
7
Line-outs
7
7
Penalties & FKs
4
4
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Injuries
3
1
Unplayables
0
0
Stoppages
Total
11
14
8
0
0
4
0
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION – REFEREE NON-COMPLIANCE
Description of NC
Time
Mins
HALF
3
5
10
12
12
13
16
24
33
36
39
42
42
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
No
4
9
8
3
3
12
3
9
Team
A
A
H
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Phase
Ruck
Ruck
Scrum
Maul
Ruck
Ruck
Scrum
Tackle
Ruck
Ruck
Scrum
Scrum
Ruck
To ground – protected ball
Not rolling away – led to unnecessary rucking by B4
Throw in not straight – no opportunity for contest
Took legs - collapsed maul
Joined in front of rear feet – protected ball
Joined in front of rear feet & handled the ball back– protected ball
Binding on arm – pulling scrum down (AR call)
Joined in front of rear feet and went to ground – slowed ball
ERROR Incorrect penalty - man there prior to ruck
Joined in front of rear feet and went to ground – protected ball
Stood up under pressure
Throw in not straight – no opportunity for contest
To ground – protected ball
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION – Penalty Pattern (Team Penalised)
Description of Offence
Time
Mins
HALF
No
Team
4
5
1
1
6
4
A
A
Maul
Ruck
17
18
1
1
14
3
A
A
Tackle
Scrum
23
26
31
1
1
1
3
1
A
A
A
Tackle
Tackle
Scrum
33
1
12
A
Ruck
Phase
Collapsing Maul
Offside (warning, 2nd in “attacking zone close to line”) – good
warning given
Tackler not releasing – he did release but was he on his feet?
Binding on arm – taking scrummage down – a mess from the
start he should have reset
Tackled player not releasing ball
Tackler not rolling
Stood up under pressure – scrum had wheeled did he need to
PK?
Joined in front of rear feet – wrong decision 12 was there before
ruck formed