Wednesday, September 30, 2009

SLOWER THAN CHRISTMAS

HAIL, PELICUS!

BIG MAY

The fifth month starts out with Stanford hosting the USA Rugby college finals in four divisions, and then two weeks later:

SF/Golden Gate proudly announces the return of the Golden Gate Tournament, May 15-16, 2010, with competition in the following divisions:
Men’s Premier
Men’s Social
Old Boys
High school Gold
High School Silver

In years past, the GG Tournament often hosted high-caliber feature matches. 2010 will be no different, with the first-ever California Boy’s High School State Championship!

Our Society has mourned the loss of a season-ending tournament. For referees, it will serve as an excuse to get together at the end of the year, an evaluation opportunity for those half-dozen refs who are usually ready to move up and want only a stage to strut their stuff, and exchange bait to bring more folks to Pelicanland.

And we used to think it was difficult to wait for Christmas!

CALL FOR PRE-SEASON FIXTURES

Please leave our referees free from 10 until 3 on October 17. That’s the day of the annual society pre-season training conference, AGM, and biennial election of officers.

Evening games would be fine, or Sunday, that weekend.

PLEASE SEND IN ANY PRE-SEASON FIXTURES YOU HAVE ARRANGED. DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE HOME TEAM WILL DO SO. With advance notice, we can cover all of the events, but when notice is tardy then conflicts arise. Saturday calendars have a way of becoming full for those referees who don’t have assignments at least a week or two out. When we hear about fixtures mid-week sometimes there’s no one left to cover them.

MEETING SCHEDULE

REO David Williamson has published the schedule for our 2010 training meeting series, all at the SFGG clubhouse from 7 to 9 PM:

Wednesday, Dec 9
Wednesday, Jan 13
Wednesday, Feb 10
Wednesday, Mar 10
Wednesday, Apr 14

Figure the second Wednesday of the month you’re with your mates!

THE HISTORY OF RUGBY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A coffee table book covering the history of the Game in this blessed land is being created by USA Rugby.

It would be nice to have in-depth coverage of the NCRFU, the NCRRS and such events as the Monterey/Pebble Beach and Golden Gate tournaments.

If you have such material archived, or know someone who does, please contact Scriptoris!

Dan Hickey, are you reading this?

GAMES THIS WEEKEND

If you’d like to run the line or just get in a chance for some peer-coaching, head on out:

Saturday:
SF Fog – San Diego Surfers Referee: Pete Smith
Sacramento State men – Southern Oregon Univ. Referee: Chris Tucker
Chico State Alumni Game Referee: Chris Labozzetta
ARs: Jackie Finck, Rod Chance

Sunday, 10AM, GAA pitch on Treasure Island
All Blues – Minnesota Valkyries Referee: Davey Ardrey
ARs: Pete Smith, Bruce Carter
Sacramento Amazons – NorCal Triple Threat Referee: Scott Wood

STANFORD STADIUM EXHIBITION

Saturday night, September 26:
Stanford Red 2 tries – Stanford White 2 tries Referee: James Hinkin
AR: Sandy Robertson, Roberto Santiago
Stanford men’s rugby played a 5-minute exhibition at halftime of the Stanford-Washington football game. The teams were excited to be playing in front of a large crowd and gave all 36,930 spectators a wild spectacle. The referee is glad he wasn’t being assessed as he is sure that he missed several hands in the ruck, knock ons and miscellaneous minor infractions. Both sides scored a pair of tries on breakaway runs and some spectacular tackles brought “ooooo”s from the crowd. Stanford Rugby definitely came out a winner on this night.

SAM REAGLE REFS TWO

We were scheduled to leave PA for VA Beach on Saturday, but when I was offered two college games, Teresa managed to extend our stay one more night in Gettysburg.

I arrived at the pitch just after 10am to find both women’s teams already warming up. It was to be a double header with the women playing at 11 and the men kicking off at 1pm.

Gettysburg Women 12 – BUCKNELL COLLEGE 52 Referee: Sam Reagle
Conditions: Perfect
This was a non-league game with 3-30 minute periods. I went over to the Bucknell sideline looking for their coach, but was informed that she was playing for a women’s team in another town today. My first impression was that Bucknell appeared disorganized with only 2 subs and may not have come to play where Gettysburg was drilling with almost 2 full sides. The game started out a bit slow with Gettysburg scoring their first try about 8 minutes into the game. Bucknell showed little offense, but was tackling very well and only allowed 1 more try before the end of the first period. Score: 12-0 Gettysburg.

I had little reason not to expect more of the same for the next 2 periods, but it was anything but that. The Bucknell offense arrived when they cycled the ball to their winger and she outran Gettysburg for their first try about 7 minutes in, then did it again about 5 minutes later. A pushover try about 10 minutes later ended the scoring for the second period, but not the aggressive play. Unlike the first period where there were many stoppages, this period flowed with several minutes between whistles. It was tiring for everyone, but really fun to watch. Both teams had several attacks thwarted by excellent tackling, but Bucknell's backs were getting their rhythm and finding the holes. Score: 21-12 Bucknell.

The final period was similar to the second with both teams moving the ball and tackling well, but Bucknell prevailing with their speed advantage. Bucknell scored roughly every 6 minutes this period while keeping Gettysburg out of goal with a solid defensive effort. Good luck to both teams this season.

Gettysburg College Men 17 – FRANKLIN & MARSHALL (F&M) 36
Referee: Sam Reagle
Conditions: Perfect
Having refereed 90 minutes of rugby with 2 halftimes before the men’s game, we were tight on time for a 1pm kickoff. Lucky for me, F&M College didn't arrive until about 12:50 and asked for a 12:20 kickoff stating that someone had accidentally cancelled their bus back at the college. Gettysburg agreed and we actually got going at 1:15pm. The first ten minutes saw me doing much more managing than I'm used to in NorCal, but we got things sorted out and a wonderful game ensued. Gettysburg got on the scoreboard first at the 16 minute mark with an aggressive run in the corner. F&M answered back 6 minutes later with a try of their own. Gettysburg scored a converted try 29 minutes in to complete the scoring for the first half. 12-5.

In the second half, the game really opened up with a lot of fast ball and few stoppages. Both teams were moving the ball, but F&M started to dominate most rucks and scored tries at the 4, 6 and 11 minute marks playing power rugby. Gettysburg crossed the plane about 17 minutes in with an unconverted try. F&M scored a pushover try at 23 minutes and their final try at full time.

I thoroughly enjoyed both games. The players are very respectful and seemed happy to get a referee. Thanks again to Sherry and the Eastern Penn Society for the games.

UPCOMING

October 10: Reno (fifteens) tournament – four pitches, all day. So far we’ve got five refs. This could be problematic. Please help the needy.
October 17: Society training meeting at AGM at St. Mary’s, 10 – 3.
October 31: Stanford Tens, and the Baracus Tens on Treasure Island. Dress up like a rugby referee for Halloween this year!

November 7: Mittry Memorial Tournament in Redding
November 14: Level One referee course in West Sacramento
November 15: Touch Judge and Assistant Referee courses in West Sac
November 21: Chico Holiday Classic. Three pitches this year, bigger and better!

TWENTY-SEVEN PELICANS AND COUNTING

Two of us are joining USA Rugby for 2010 each week. At this rate, all of our regulars will be CIPP registered by the end of the season in May.

That won’t do. Go to www.USARugby.org
Click on Registration ’09-’10 just below Welcome in the column on the left.

Take the first option: Create/Renew Individual Membership. Go from there.

REMEMBER to print out the liability waiver. This needs to be signed and submitted in hard copy to our treasurer, Jim Crenshaw, with your $10 annual NCRRS dues.

SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE SPEAKER BANQUET

The San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club presents: The Grand Rugby Banquet
Featuring Guest Speaker: Wallaby Legend John Eales

Eales played lock for Queensland Reds and Australia
55-cap reign as captain of the Wallabies
Won the Rugby World Cup twice in his illustrious career, first in 1991, and later skippering his country to victory in 1999

St Gabriel’s School
2550 41st avenue
Saturday October 17
6:30 PM
Proceeds to benefit Bay Area Youth Rugby

Tickets include three course dinner, wine and entertainment
To Purchase a seat or table
Tickets: Individual $125 or Table of Ten $1200
Contact: Paul Keeler (415) 362 1010
sfggcoach@gmail.com

This will be in the evening after our AGM. If you’d like to attend and sit at a ‘referee table’, let us know and whether you’ll have a guest. It’s for a good cause!

THIS WEEK’S PHOTO
Famous Trio
In photo (l-r) Roberto Santiago, James Hinkin. Sandy Robertson, adoring throng

HAIL, PELICUS!

For the Senate
Pelicus Scriptoris

Monday, September 28, 2009

EXCHANGING GAMES

HAIL, PELICUS!

DO NOT SCHEDULE GAMES FOR OCTOBER 17…

...at least not if you want a referee from the NCRRS to officiate them. That’s the day of the annual society pre-season training conference, AGM, and biennial election of officers. We’ll need all of our referees at St. Mary’s from 9 until 3.

Evening games would be fine, or Sunday, that weekend.

PLEASE SEND IN ANY PRE-SEASON FIXTURES YOU HAVE ARRANGED. DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE HOME TEAM WILL DO SO. With advance notice, we can cover all of the events, but when notice is tardy then conflicts arise. Saturday calendars have a way of becoming full for those referees who don’t have assignments at least a week or two out. When we hear about fixtures mid-week sometimes there’s no one left to cover them.

MATCH RECAP

Joe Androvich flew down to SoCal to take charge of the match between undefeated San Diego Surfers and Belmont Shore for first place in the CR1 league. The Surfers won 37-14.

Saturday, September 19:

Friendly:
SANTA CLARA MARAUDERS 30 - StAptos 7 Referee: Sandy Robertson
The Marauders, Aptos & Stanislaus gathered for a season starting round robin scrimmage. Both Aptos and Stanislaus arrived a bit short of bodies, so they combined to play the Marauders. Rust, enhanced by the heat, was greatly in evidence, both from players and the referee. The Marauders generally dominated, but StAptos got a good try in the 2nd half.

CR1 Match:
Triple Threat 17 – TEMPE 20 Referee: Anthony Yeo (SoCal)
ARs: Chris Tucker, Bjorn Stumer

Bjorn and Tom Zanarini met me at the Oakland airport, along with Kim Godeseth another visiting ref from Canada. We shared a nice meal together. The next morning we breakfasted together while watching New Zealand play Australia in the last Tri-nations match. Then we headed out to our own matches.

Bjorn and I drove to Sacramento and met Chris Tucker at the pitch. The field was artificial turf, which can have some challenges - namely the rugby field lines are the secondary lines, and lighter, and can be tougher to pick up while running flat out - but nothing beats how easy running is on the surface. Both teams had good warm-ups, while Chris, Bjorn and I went over our communication signals for the game.

The match started well, with both teams running straight and fast and tackling well. There were line breaks and good multiple phases. The home team (Davis' Triple Threat) scored a try and conversion and shortly after, another try, jumping out twelve points within ten minutes. There were a lot of scrums and sloppy passing in the first half as both teams had some handling issues. Both front rows were feeling the heat and the volume of scrums. At the half time break, the match felt much closer than the score represented (12-0).

The second half began with the same energy and intensity - solid running and solid tackling with good line breaks and equally good cover defense to stop the attack. Then, from a line-out turnover, Davis passed along the backline and was intercepted, and Tempe scored under the posts.

Though Davis scored another try, bringing the score to 17-7, the momentum had clearly shifted. Tempe stayed fast throughout the game and stretched a second try from inside their own half through the backline, scoring in the right corner. Tempe continued with more pressure and scored a third try from a broken line-out with quick passing among the forwards to get across the line.

With a handful of minutes left the score was now 17-17. (As a line-out was forming, Chris Tucker joked to me how a tied score leaves him much thirstier, and he was looking forward to sharing a beer soon. From the other touch line, Bjorn also gestured to me that he was looking forward to his tied-match beer). Play continued with Tempe pressuring inside the Davis half. Suddenly, the Davis forwards collapsed over the Davis ruck just outside the 22 meter line, and as I raised my arm to award the penalty for Tempe, time expired on my watch. Tempe chose to a shot at goal. The kick was slotted, and Tempe won, 20-17. It was a tough road game against an excellent Triple Threat team. And yes, the beer was excellent.

Thanks again for your wonderful hospitality and I had a fantastic time.

Cheers.

Anthony

10 AM Friendly:
ALL BLUES 71 – Glendale 15 Referee: George O'Neil
ARs: Ryan Luis, Bruce Carter
Referee Coach: Bryan Porter

The All Blues scored in the first, fifth, ninth, thirteenth and seventeenth minutes.

After a break at twenty minutes for libations and liberal substitutions, the game evened out a bit.

Glendale is preparing for the West club playoffs, which start about now, while the All Blues were using a bye week between halves of their season to stay sharp.

CR1 Match:
SF FOG 36 – Mudhens 21 Referee: Kimberley Godeseth (Calgary, Alberta)
ARs: Roberto Santiago, Tom Zanarini
Referee Coach: Dixon Smith

The conditions for the match were fantastic, bright clear sky and only slight wind gusts during the game. Both teams came out fast, competing for the ball and moving it quickly along the back lines with most of the tries being scored along the wings. The San Francisco Fog maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the game; however their decision making and passing skills hindered their try scoring. In contrast, the Mudhens capitalized on the few opportunities they were given. In all it was a fantastic and fast game which I greatly enjoyed reffing. Both teams displayed fantastic sportsmanship and skills. A big thank you to the ladies who played.

Sunday, September 20
CR1 Match:
Sacramento Amazons 0 – TEMPE 27 Referee: Kimberley Godeseth
ARs: Eugene Baker, Tom Zanarini
Referee Coach: Kat Todd-Schwartz

It was a very hot day for this match and the field conditions were not ideal with large dips covering the playing surface, yet both teams seemed eager to play. The first half of the game saw the Sacramento team dominating the rucks and scrums and laying huge tackles. There was very little ball movement for the first 20 minutes of the game; the play consisted mostly of crashing the ball. After a 20 minute water break, the Tempe team began moving the ball the length of the field and running with such support that rucking and mauling became far less prevalent. This style worked and led to multiple Tempe tries.
In the second half, the Sacramento team finally got the ball out to their backs and were rewarded with a large break away. Unfortunately, one of the Sacramento players blocked (for lack of a better word) a Tempe tackle and drew a penalty rather than getting a try.

The remainder of the game was controlled by the Tempe team who seemed more used to the heat.

Bonus report by Eugene Baker:
Sunday was hot but tolerable due to the abundance of trees and the natural grass field at Chorley Park. Refereeing the match was Kimberley Godeseth, on exchange from Alberta. Kim was receiving the superb tutelage of Kat Todd-Schwartz, and was joined by AR's Eugene Baker and her host for the weekend, Tom Zanarini.

In a game with surprisingly little kicking - The Tempe squad struck first, crossing the try line ten minutes in for a 5-0 lead. A second try, this one converted - Left the halftime score 12-0 in favor of the guests from Arizona.

Tempe's forward pack dominated play throughout the match, and their #8 and their centers added tries in the second half to reach the final tally of 27-nil.

The Amazons played physical and punishing rugby for eighty minutes - But they played the majority of the match on their own side of the field, rarely crossing the midfield stripe. The Amazons did bring out a couple of promising newcomers, including a sprinter from a local college who I hope sticks with becoming a winger.

UPCOMING

There are no games scheduled for this weekend (Sept. 26-27) of which we are aware.

October 10: Reno (fifteens) tournament – four pitches, all day. Lots of refs needed.
October 17: Society training meeting at AGM at St. Mary’s
October 31: Stanford Tens, and the Baracus Tens on Treasure Island. We’ll need every available ref this Halloween
November 7: Mittry Memorial Tournament in Redding
November 14: Level One referee course in West Sacramento
November 15: Touch Judge and Assistant Referee courses in West Sac
November 21: Chico Holiday Classic

TWENTY-FIVE PELICANS AND COUNTING

You wanna ref? You gotta join.

Don Reordan is now a member of the NCRRS. Let us know if you’d like to AR for him!

Go to www.USARugby.org
Click on Registration ’09-’10 just below Welcome in the column on the left.

Take the first option: Create/Renew Individual Membership. Go from there.

REMEMBER to print out the liability waiver. This needs to be signed and submitted in hard copy to our treasurer, Jim Crenshaw, with your $10 annual NCRRS dues.

SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE SPEAKER BANQUET

The San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club presents: The Grand Rugby Banquet
Featuring Guest Speaker: Wallaby Legend John Eales

Eales played lock for Queensland Reds and Australia
55-cap reign as captain of the Wallabies
Won the Rugby World Cup twice in his illustrious career, first in 1991, and later skippering his country to victory in 1999

St Gabriel’s School
2550 41st avenue
Saturday October 17
6:30 PM
Proceeds to benefit Bay Area Youth Rugby

Tickets include three course dinner, wine and entertainment
To Purchase a seat or table
Tickets: Individual $125 or Table of Ten $1200
Contact: Paul Keeler (415) 362 1010
sfggcoach@gmail.com

This will be in the evening after our AGM. If you’d like to attend and sit at a ‘referee table’, let us know and whether you’ll have a guest. It’s for a good cause!

THIS WEEK’S PHOTO
Small File Friends Old and New
We’ve been asked to reduce the photo sizes for easier viewing and will endeavor to do so.

If you would ever like a higher-density copy of the photo, we’ll keep an undiluted version in the archives.

Saturday morning at the Gaelic pitch across the street from Rocca Field finds, left to right, Ryan Luis, George O’Neil, Tom Zanarini presenting a jersey to our exchange visitor Kimberley Godeseth of Calgary, Alberta, Dixon Smith and Bryan Porter.

HAIL, PELICUS!

For the Senate
Pelicus Scriptoris

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

ANONYMOUS RUGBY SOURCE

HAIL, PELICUS!

BILLET NEEDED

Have you ever been on exchange? Were you hosted and did it add to your enjoyment of the experience?

Would you like to go on exchange, and be interested in accumulating some Brownie points that might come in handy?

Two exchangees will be coming to Pelicanland on the weekend of September 19. One, Kimberley Godeseth from Alberta, will be hosted by the Zanarinis. The other, Anthony Yeo of the SCRRS, needs a home away from home.

Anthony’s game will be the Triple Threat hosting Tempe, to be played at Granite Park in Sacramento. Please let us know if you can help out – otherwise we’ll have to get him a hotel room, and that’s not the best way to maintain our reputation as a desirable exchange destination.

ASSISTANT REFEREE NEEDED SUNDAY

The All Blues undertook their title defense last Sunday in Minnesota, defeating the Valkyries 38 - 0.

This Sunday, September 13, the other Minnesota premier league entrant will be in town.

The All Blues will host the Twin Cities Amazons at 10 AM on the GAA fields on Treasure Island. Paul Bretz has been appointed to referee. We have one AR but of course that means we need one more.

Please let us know if you would like to run.

PLEASANTON SCOTTISH GAMES
Report by Roberto Santiago

APTOS 12 – Stanislaus 5
The match was very competitive throughout especially in the first half which due to penalties by the defending team went beyond the halfway time mark. With about one minute left in the first half Stanislaus had a set piece ten meters from the Aptos try line. As play progressed Stanislaus came within inches of scoring but were denied each time. A penalty five meters out gave Stanislaus new life as one of the Aptos defenders was caught out of position while confronting the ref with "But I thought you said that was the last play!" Yeah kid, but not when you commit the infringement to stop an attack. Moments later the Stanislaus ball carrier knocked-on. This would have been the last action (with a shout out to R Scott) if not for the Aptos player who scooped up the ball and ran up the sideline for a full field try. I constantly marvel at how much talking players can do while allegedly giving a full effort to playing the game. The take away here is don't argue with the ref because that last play may the one where your teammate runs for the only score of the half. Aptos scored again six minutes into the second half but did not convert. One minute before the final whistle Stanislaus put one over to avoid the shutout.

GAELS 26 - Aptosislaus 5
The Gaels came out looking like a team set for the regular season opener rather than friendly. It showed on the score board (aka the paper I keep in my pocket) as well. Diablo came out and scored three converted tries in the first half to nothing for the mixed Aptos/Stanislaus side. After scoring another try with thirteen minutes left the Gaels made it a point of pride to preserve the shutout. Aptosislaus never backed down though and put one over with thirty-five seconds left on the clock. In retrospect sending out a group that had played a match already and then watched a rousing game of shinty to play a rested and non shinty-coma-induced Gaels side may have left little doubt as to the outcome on the score sheet. But it seemed that everyone had a good time. I especially enjoyed the day as there is nothing like having a national panel ref playing all day making calls just before you process them. Having confirmation of my calls (just before I made them) was like having a little referee coach in my ear (that everyone within 20 meters of the pitch could hear too). All joking aside, this fellow who didn’t get hurt, was a great resource after the matches.

Thanks to all three teams for a fun day.

CR1 GAMES

SF Fog 10 – BELMONT SHORE 35 Referee: Preston Gordon
No report received.


TRIPLE THREAT 35 – Seattle 17 Referee: Phil Akroyd
T.T – 6T, 1C, 1PK
Sea – 2T, 2C, 1PK

It’s Saturday lunch time, so it must be women’s league rugby at Granite Park. After ARing the Triple Threat last weekend, I was out in the middle this weekend. I knew that the TT can play, after they easily saw off SF Fog women a week ago. If Seattle brought a decent team, there would be a chance of a high-quality game.

I wasn’t disappointed.

We kicked off in 80 degree weather, but the rubber pitch seemed to add about 20 degrees. The first 20 minutes were brutal, with collision after collision, hard hit after hard hit. The style of teams and my willingness to let the game flow meant that there were very few stoppages in the first half, however, a penalty in front of the posts after a couple of minutes was slotted over by the TT captain. It took at least twenty minutes for a further point to be scored, which was a break-away try for the home team after a sloppy kick to touch by Seattle. Another try just before half seemed to deflate the travelers who were unaccustomed to the NorCal heat. TT was up 15 to 0 at half.

The second half reinforced the trend of the first half, which was a collision-fest in the middle of the field, followed by forty meter sprints when the respective teams had sucked in enough players to the midfield. Although the Triple Threat scored six tries, Seattle had the most impressive, with a flat crash ball in front of the posts, about fifteen meters from the try line. The Seattle center went in under the posts and TT didn’t lay a hand on her.

Seattle clearly have a good team and if the two were to meet again in the winter, with no issue of heat, the game could go either way. This was a hugely entertaining game for me and I had great fun out there in my first game of the season. I counted three possible broken fingers, several cases of cramp, a concussion and no complaining.

Thanks to Eugene Baker and a svelte and slender Rod Chance for ARing, Donal Walsh for meaningful words and the two teams for reminding me why I missed reffing for the last two months. When is the next game???

Sunday
Sacramento Amazons 12 – SEATTLE 52 Referee: Rich Boyer
I arrived at Luther Burbank High School to find only the Amazons. The Seattle team thought the game was at a different location. Perhaps they were still smarting from their loss the day before.

The game commenced shortly after Seattle's arrival. The Amazons dominated the first ten minutes, scoring an easy try by the inside center. Seattle's defense seemed timid, and offensively the team was not clicking. Seattle scored and converted a try off a rolling maul, but then gave up a 90 meter try to Burbank's new winger. My thoughts were that the Amazons would dominate this game.

How wrong I was. Seattle implemented expert rolling mauls, and their ball possession and fitness soon began to show. Flanker Black and eightman Miller were especially prominent during the mauls, at the breakdowns, and on set scrum plays. Flyhalf Marty threw perfect flat passes time and again to an expertly bursting #12. Captain Rose (#13) paired well with the inside center and made numerous breaks and tries. The loosehead prop jackaled a number of balls.

The Amazons were much bigger, but Seattle's well coached team simply strangled the Amazons of possession. Seattle, although lacking the Amazon's physicality, were technically precise.

The end of the first half saw Seattle leading 33-12.

The Amazons would not back down and showed bursts of good play in the second half. Their fitness was sorely lacking as Seattle's dominance continued. The Amazons had very good passing, but the Seattle defense always had the overlap, and they were nearly always first to the breakdown.

Seattle flyhalf Marty began kicking expertly to space. One kick died at the 5 meter line a few meters from touch and was taken by the Amazon wing, who was overcome by three chasers, one of whom took the ball and scored a try. Marty made the conversion 5 meters from touch. She only missed one conversion on the day.

A number of men's high school and college coaches could learn from Seattle's game plan. It was obvious that they had practiced numerous hours together; they all communicated; and they were all on the same page. It wasn't "crush the other team", rather, it was hands through the tackler, offload flat passes to an always bursting player, unselfish play, and communicate.

It was a very clean game and both sides had smiles on their faces at the end. It was a nice group to referee. Seattle 52-12.

CIPP REGISTRATIONS FOR 2009 HAVE EXPIRED

2009 CIPP memberships expired August 31. The NCRRS has 19 registered participants as of Tuesday morning.

Go to www.USARugby.org
Click on Registration ’09-’10 just below Welcome in the column on the left.

Take the first option: Create/Renew Individual Membership. Go from there.

REMEMBER to print out the liability waiver. This needs to be signed and submitted in hard copy to our treasurer, Jim Crenshaw, with your $10 annual NCRRS dues.

UPCOMING

The Hawaii invitational has been canceled for 2009. The Harlequins have promised to keep us in their plans for 2010. Pray for the economy.

October 3: Chico State alumni games
October 10: Reno (fifteens) tournament – four pitches, all day. Lots of refs needed.
October 17: Society training meeting at AGM at St. Mary’s
October 31: Stanford Tens, and the Baracus Tens on Treasure Island. We’ll need every available ref this Halloween
November 7: Mittry Memorial Tournament in Redding
November 14: Level One referee course at Sacramento State
November 15: Touch Judge and Assistant Referee courses at Sac State
November 21: Chico Holiday Classic

SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE SPEAKER BANQUET

The San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club presents: The Grand Rugby Banquet
Featuring Guest Speaker: Wallaby Legend John Eales

Eales played lock for Queensland Reds and Australia
55-cap reign as captain of the Wallabies
Won the Rugby World Cup twice in his illustrious career, first in 1991, and later skippering his country to victory in 1999

St Gabriel’s School
2550 41st avenue
Saturday October 17
6:30 PM
Proceeds to benefit Bay Area Youth Rugby

Tickets include three course dinner, wine and entertainment
To Purchase a seat or table
Tickets: Individual $125 or Table of Ten $1200
Contact: Paul Keeler (415) 362 1010
sfggcoach@gmail.com

This will be in the evening after our AGM. If you’d like to attend and sit at a ‘referee table’, let us know and whether you’ll have a guest. It’s for a good cause!

THIS WEEK’S PHOTO
Scottish Games
Walter enjoys the weather and the view at the Scottish Festival.

HAIL, PELICUS!

For the Senate
Pelicus Scriptoris

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

FLIGHT PLANS

HAIL, PELICUS!

UPCOMING

We need a referee for a game in Sacramento this Sunday, September 6. Let us know.

Time to update your PDAs, day-planners, diaries and significant others:

The Scottish Games are covered. All of these others want you!

September 5: Pleasanton Scottish Games
October 3: Chico State alumni games
October 10: Reno (fifteens) tournament – four pitches, all day. Lots of refs needed.
October 17: Society training meeting at AGM at St. Mary’s
*******
October 23-24: Hawaii Harlequins Invitational
They need four referees for this one. You pay the air fare, they cover the rooms. This is one of the benefits of being a NCRRS member. Take advantage! Let us know if you are interested.
*******
October 31: Stanford Tens, and the Baracus Tens on Treasure Island. We’ll need every available ref this Halloween
November 7: Mittry Memorial Tournament in Redding
November 14: Level One referee course at Sacramento State
November 15: Touch Judge and Assistant Referee courses at Sac State
November 21: Chico Holiday Classic

FIFTEEN-A-SIDE

August 22:
Triple Threat hosting Fog in Chico.
We’re not sure whether this was played. We’d be happy to be enlightened.

August 29:
NORCAL TRIPLE THREAT 55 – San Francisco Fog 5 Referee: Chris Tucker
ARs: Eugene Baker, Phil Akroyd
OK, back to 15s. Longer, slower game. Slightly different laws. Completely different set of priorities. Suffice it to say it took me 20 minutes to stop positioning behind the back line, but other than that the adaptation was mostly smooth (according to my assistants anyway, and both coaches seemed annoyed in equal measure, so by one estimate it was at least fair.)

My positioning was helped by always knowing where NorCal were going -- Missile Left and Missile Right were crash ball, and when they got bored of that, Texas signaled that the ball was to be spun out. This didn't help the defence much -- the NorCal side dominated the first half, with 5 tries (3 converted) and would have had another had the scrum half finished her elusive 40 metre run with a proper grounding. Instead as she arrived untouched under the posts, she got close to the ground, then dropped the ball the last 3 inches. Not good enough, scrum 5. It did little to change the momentum.

As it was, the temperature was too darn hot (95 at kickoff on a plastic pitch which was over 110) and the air quality was poor, and so players got subbed early and often. NorCal lost 3 in the first half, two with trouble breathing, and by the end had run their bench dry, mostly with injuries rather than tactical replacements. This did even things up some, and the Fog got on the board early in the second half as they stole ball at the lineout and fed their back line who tore the defence to bits in one move. This spark was seen infrequently and there was no doubt to the better side.

Thanks to Phil and Eugene for keeping me straight, although the first conversion attempt merits a quick mention. Avid readers of my reports will remember last year my team of three messed up a simple kick at goal. Well, good judgment comes from experience (which comes from bad judgment, thanks Jim) and when Phil and Eugene disagreed on the kick we got together. Phil said good, Eugene (who wasn't quite in line with the ball-post vector) said no (wide left) and I said maybe (straight, but did it have the distance?) We had a quick chat, and figured it out. Definitely inside the posts, definitely over the bar, definitely 2 points. And definitely better than guesswork.

August 30:
SF FOG – Amazons Referee: Ryan Luis
The game was a forfeit to Fog, but they played 3 20 minute periods of ten-a-side.

SEVEN-A-SIDE

The Arroyo Grande Sevens were held on August 29th at the admirable Talley Farms pitches.

Only the second of the full-size fields was needed for this five-team event. AG, SLO, Baracus, Kern County and Fresno met in this north-south crossover tournament.

It was one hundred degrees on the nose when the Pelicanmobile arrived in a cloud of dust precisely at ten AM. That was the cool part of the day: it hit 113° in the afternoon by the in-dash thermometer. The only shade was under the posts. And with no wind to dissipate perspiration, running felt cooler than non-running.

Of course, two of the five teams wore black jerseys.

The referee corps comprised Paul Phillips and Paul Cappellano from the local area, along with Pelicus Scriptoris, alternating games with binge-drinking of bottled water. When you drink three pints an hour for most of the day without nature once calling… well, then you should have been drinking four pints.

The teams were keen, perhaps warming up for the Tri-Tip Sevens in two weeks. The tri-tip was also warming up, slow-cooking, offering aromatic enticements, just behind the concessions tent.

The local teams had the better of play on the day, but your scribe had to leave just before the final in order to keep a date with Penelope Pelicus to see the Pretenders at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

LEVEL 2 REFEREEING COURSES THIS YEAR

The Level 2 referee course is needed in order to be promoted from C1 to B3. The course is generally only given once or twice a year within easy migration range.

This year’s Pacific coast entries will be held in Vancouver, Wash. (near Portland), 19-20 September, run by Jim Kautz and another at Cal State, Long Beach 26-27 Sept, run by Mark Aitkenhead, with Dixon assisting.

You may register for these on the USA Rugby website. Plan ahead – if you’ve got the B Panel in your sights, why wait?

NATION’S BEST REFEREE SOCIETY HAS TEN MEMBERS

Our membership for 2010 has grown from five to ten in the past two weeks. You need to renew your relationship with USA Rugby – 2009 memberships expired August 31.

Go to www.USARugby.org
Click on Registration ’09-’10 just below Welcome in the column on the left.

Take the first option: Create/Renew Individual Membership. Go from there.

REMEMBER to print out the liability waiver. This needs to be signed and submitted in hard copy to our treasurer, Jim Crenshaw, with your $10 annual NCRRS dues.

SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE SPEAKER BANQUET

The San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club presents: The Grand Rugby Banquet
Featuring Guest Speaker: Wallaby Legend John Eales

Eales played lock for Queensland Reds and Australia
55-cap reign as captain of the Wallabies
Won the Rugby World Cup twice in his illustrious career, first in 1991, and later skippering his country to victory in 1999

St Gabriel’s School
2550 41st avenue
Saturday October 17
6:30 PM
Proceeds to benefit Bay Area Youth Rugby

Tickets include three course dinner, wine and entertainment
To Purchase a seat or table
Tickets: Individual $125 or Table of Ten $1200
Contact: Paul Keeler (415) 362 1010
sfggcoach@gmail.com

This will be in the evening after our AGM. If you’d like to attend and sit at a ‘referee table’, let us know and whether you’ll have a guest. It’s for a good cause!

GOT A MINUTE? UP YOUR GAME

Thank you to REO David Williamson for cluing us in:
http://www.irblaws.com/EN/guidelines

2009 IRB LAW RULINGS SUMMARY
August 27, 2009
By Peter Watson

There have been seven Rulings so far this year. There was also a decision made regarding the Experimental Law Variations that went into effect on August 1, 2008. All were accepted as full Law, with the exceptions of:
• Entering mauls with head/shoulders below hips (no longer allowed = FK)
• Pulling down mauls (no longer allowed = PK)
• Numbers in lineouts (team throwing in sets the maximum and opponents must have the same number or fewer in the lineout = FK)
The Rulings issued last year regarding when a maul ends (General Ruling # 4 and ELV Rulings # 1 and # 5) remain valid.
• If opposing players leave a maul voluntarily the maul continues to exist and may be driven forward without sanction for obstruction.
• If opposing players leave a maul involuntarily the maul has ended. The referee should communicate this and the team in possession is liable to sanction for obstruction if they continue to move forward (PK).

Ruling 1 – Knocked into touch
The question asked was about playing advantage from a knock-on that subsequently went into touch with the throw belonging to the team that did not knock-on. Can advantage continue so the non-offending team can take a quick throw-in if they so choose?
The Ruling is that once the ball has gone into touch, it has become dead. If advantage had not yet been gained, then the scrum should be awarded.

Ruling 2 – Grounding in In-Goal simultaneous with touching the Dead Ball Line
The scenario posed was one where a player touched the ball down in In-Goal and at the exact same time stepped onto or over the Dead Ball Line.
The Ruling was that the game was stopped with no evidence to award either a try or a 22 drop out. Therefore Law 20.1 (c) says there should be a five-meter scrum and 20.4 (d) awards the scrum to the attacking team. This is very similar to a “held up in In-Goal” situation.

Ruling 3 – End of Time at scrum or lineout
If a scrum or lineout has been awarded and then time expires, the referee must allow play to continue until the scrum or lineout has been completed and ball next becomes dead. The question asked concerned a scrum that collapsed or was lifted without penalty. Should this scrum be reset or should the half be ended?
The Ruling was that since the scrum was stopped for safety reasons without reaching a successful conclusion, the scrum had not been completed and must be reset.

There was a similar question regarding a lineout that is awarded and then time expires. If the ball is thrown unfairly (e.g. not straight), the referee should end the half. The original lineout has been completed and there has been an infringement that made the ball dead.

[Note that if there were a penalty or free kick offense committed during the lineout, the kick should be awarded and play allowed to continue until it next becomes dead.]

Ruling 4 – Formation of Ruck
This Ruling addresses the dividing line between a tackle and the formation of a ruck. At a tackle players who have complied with Tackle Law (on their feet, correct zone entry) may attempt to gain possession of the ball with hands. At a ruck players must not play the ball with their hands.

Since the definition of a ruck carries the direct implication that no player has possession when a ruck forms, if a player has possession of the ball prior to contact with an opponent (which would otherwise form the ruck) then that player may continue to play the ball.

This Ruling was accompanied by a video illustrating acceptable examples of players gaining possession and continuing to play the ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbNg9kkDjmo

Note that in all examples shown the outcome is immediate production of the ball. If the actions of the first arriving player do not result in the ball becoming immediately available, then those actions should be viewed critically. “Protective” is not the same as “productive”.

Ruling 5 – Front Row Replacement
In the situation presented, a team started the match with the required number of front row replacements. The team had used its entire list of nominated replacements and due to injuries was no longer able to scrummage safely, resulting in uncontested scrums. The question asked was could the team bring in one of their other players who had been substituted to replace the front row player whose injury necessitated uncontested scrums (per Law 3.12)?

The Ruling was that the purpose of 3.12 is to allow contested scrums to continue. If there were no available front row players AND all other reserves have been used, then the team is not allowed to bring in some other player for the purpose of keeping fifteen on the field.

Note that the question asked and the answer given were quite narrow. Do not read more into this than there actually is, and don’t try to extrapolate.

[Editor’s Note: If a team has used up all of its replacements when another player gets injured and has to leave the pitch, they have to play short whatever the position of the last-injured player.]

Ruling 6 – U19 Reduced Numbers in Scrums
This Ruling clarified that under U19 Variations, Law 20.1 (f), which requires matching numbers and formations in scrums, only requires reduced numbers in scrums if either team is short a forward.

• If either team loses a back (for any reason – injury, send-off, etc.) then scrums can continue with eight players.
• If either team loses a forward, then scrums must be reduced to seven for both teams.

Ruling 7 – Joining a Ruck
This question addressed the manner in which players may join rucks. Law 16.2 (b) requires that a player join by binding onto a teammate. The Ruling stated that players joining a ruck must bind before or simultaneously with contact by any other part of the joining player’s body, including the shoulder. This is a safety issue. Players cannot come in like a missile and then bind as an afterthought. The Ruling also recognized that in some cases a ruck turns such that a player coming from an on-side position to join as required by 16.5 (c) will bind onto an opponent. That is acceptable, keeping in mind Law 10.4 (j) [no dangerous charging].

Directives
In addition to the Rulings, the IRB also issued two directives requesting increased attention to two areas.

Dangerous Tackling
The IRB reiterated a 2007 Ruling regarding tackles in which the ball carrier is lifted and tipped horizontally and then dropped or forced to the ground. The sanction for this should start at Red Card and work backwards only if there are extraordinary extenuating circumstances.

This was accompanied by a video example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Dso8Gc0gc

Maul Obstruction
The IRB issued instructions for increased referee vigilance regarding obstruction at mauls. The three specific areas addressed are:
• Formation at a lineout, particularly by supporters of the jumper.
• Formation in open play, primarily from kicks.
• Ball carrier detaching at the back and continuing to move forward.

There is a video containing examples.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vVswqjHhqI&feature=related

Please contact me with any questions.
Peter Watson
Chair, USA Rugby Laws Committee

TIME ON TOM’S HANDS
Tom Zanarini forwards this:

Just doing a little browsing and came across this fitness test for collegiate soccer referees, thought it was interesting...
http://www.nisoa.com/index_files/Page859.htm

The most interesting thing is conclusion 5, which hasn’t always seemed to be a consideration in fitness testing for rugby referee officials.

THIS WEEK’S PHOTO
Pelican of the Year Award
Mike King accepts the award as the Society’s top bird from Pete Smith at the men’s national Sevens championships.

HAIL, PELICUS!

For the Senate
Pelicus Scriptoris