Northumberland v Lancashire U16’s – 2^nd November at Burnley RFC This was a very keenly contested game. The Northumberland pack did very well in the first half, dominating the scrums, setting up a very good platform for the backs to work from. Northumberland took the lead with a well worked move with No 8 Hugh Dunn driving over in the corner. With several more chances of extending our lead , we played a lot of the first half inside Lanc’s half, unfortunately loosing the ball on the final pass. The half time score 5-0. Lanc’s scored a very good try through their winger, El-Mahdi early after the re-start. Lancs were then awarded a penalty for handling in the ruck, which No 8 Oliver Farley kicked. After some good attacking by Lancs and strong defending by Northumberland, No 8 Oliver Farley dived over from close range scoring a good try which was converted, bringing the score to 15-5. Northumberland were still playing very well and scored the best try of the game, when both backs and forwards interchanged with the ball, going through eight sets of hands before Centre Will Routledge scored in the corner. The last 10 minutes were very exciting with Northumberland applying great presser but Lancs defence holding up very well. The final score being 15 – 10, All of the Northumberland squad played very well and did themselves proud.
Northumberland Rugby Union Senior Cup and Plate Draws Senior Cup - to be played 17th January Alnwick v Percy Park Northern v Tynedale Gosforth v Wallsend Morpeth v Ashington Senior Plate - to be played 22nd November or ASAP Bye - Ponteland Blyth v Medicals Team Northumbria v Novos North Shields v Whitley Bay Rockcliff (the Semi Final draws for the Senior Plate will take place on the 24th November) The draws for Cups 2 to 5 can be found by going to the Cup Competitions page.
To: Society Secretaries Cc RFRU Ladies and Gentlemen, International Rugby Board (iRB) Directives 2008 You may be aware that the iRB have this summer issued a directive stating that “match officials at all levels of the Game must referee the Tackle (Law 15) and the Ruck (Law 16) in accordance with the written Laws”. The iRB correspondence further states that “it has become evident that players are going to ground over or on ball carriers which has become known as sealing off. On some occasions they remain in that position and fail to move away contravening Law. Furthermore players are going to ground or on top of players after a tackle thereby ensuring that the opposition cannot contest possession. Such actions are in breech of Laws 15.6 (g), 15.7 (c) and 15.7 (d). Referees are requested to be more vigilant in this area of the Game and to ensure that both teams are treated equally at the breakdown.” Referee Department Guidance 1. Please remember that the iRB are simply asking officials to referee the EXISTING Law. There have been no new Laws introduced in this area of the Game 2. The tackler MUST remain the referee’s first priority i.e. he/she must immediately release the tackled player and get up or move away from the tackled player 3. Referees must remain vigilant that both attacking and defending players remain on their feet after a tackle has occurred and do not VOLUNTARILY go to ground 4. If arriving players go to ground, due to their momentum, beyond the ball, and the ball is immediately available, then play should be allowed to continue 5. If arriving players go to ground due to their momentum but NOT beyond the ball, then they must be proactive in making the ball available 6. If a player “latches onto” the ball carrier and both players fall to ground, then they must be proactive in making the ball available Please note that an IRB DVD, which highlights the illegal actions of players in this area, will be sent to Society Secretaries from Twickenham in the next 24 hours. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Referee Development team