NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Liam Hulse

40

LJM Fury

TGT

2

After an interception, the player delivered a blind-side block by launching upwards and forcibly into the head of a member of the passing team who was trailing the returner and did not see this block coming, nor was he in a position to protect himself.

11/12/16 v Warwick Wolves

Previous weeks – none

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Chichester Spitfires

Crew was greeted by game management who stated that the medical cover would only be available until 15:15. Game management then found a registered physio from the opponents who was prepared to take over responsibility once the medical cover left. Although this did happen at the 2 minute warning, the original medical cover was still at the venue when the game ended. Field was blue markings on a 90 yard field with 7 yard endzones. Chain crew were slow but were sorted by game management. Crew wishes to stated that game management dealt extremely well with lots of difficult situations and should be applauded. No team areas marked, no limit lines.

David Knight #135

29/01/17 v Southampton Stags

Coventry Uni Jets

No coaching boxes marked, used rugby lines instead. 80 yard field marked in red. Ball boy disappeared during the game and didn't return, chain crew covered in his place

Richard Whitby #136

11/12/16 v Lincoln Colonials

Leicester Longhorns

No team areas marked. Game suspended for 11\4 hours with 9 minutes left in 3^rd quarter due to serious neck injury sustained by a DMU player necessitating air ambulance. Game reduced to ten minute quarters.

Brian Yates #29

12/02/17 v Coventry Jets

NTU Renegades

During the run back at the start of the 2^nd half, Referee collided with a photographer in the restricted area. The photographer was not aligned to either team. Game Management removed the photographer from the restricted area.

Andrew Lovell #559

29/01/17 v Stirling Clansmen

QMUL Vipers

Well marked 90-yard field in blue with other sport markings in white. No limit lines or numbers but marks at 9-yard depth. No team areas, although another sport line approximated as a team area line. Goal at one end of the field was judged too close to a main road with inadequate fencing protection, so all offensive plays were played toward the opposite goal.

Tim Ockendon #481

19/02/17 v Essex Blades

Southampton Stags

No limit lines, the plane of the goal posts is beyond the end line. One ball person changed during the first half.

Peter Parsons #321

12/02/17 v Brunel Burners

Sheffield Sabres

80 yard field, no limit lines, no team areas. Kick off delayed for around 15 minutes as medical cover hadn't arrived. In the end we used a suitably qualified person that was there as a spectator (from Hallam University) until the medic that had been booked finally arrived (at the end of the first quarter). It transpires that no one had informed the medical cover that kick off had been moved from 13:00 to 12:00.

Daniel Holt #371

29/01/17 v UCL Rams

Brunel Burners

Home team game balls well below legal pressure so away team balls were used.

Pete Thom #200

11/12/16 v City Sentinels

Edge Hill Vikings

Field was well marked, although the hash marks were joined together either side by solid lines running the length of the field. No team or coach areas marked. Prior to the start of the game, the pylons were deemed unsafe as they were effectively a bit of foam attached to the end of a spike. The game was played without pylons.

John Roberts #145

04/12/16 v Keele Crusaders

Teeside Cougars

No Posts at either end and field markings were not straight.

David Parsons #425

29/01/1 v York Centurians

MMU Eagles

90 yard field marked in blue with rugby markings in white. Extra point marks at 9 yard line. No coach or team areas marked. Officials' changing room was barely big enough for 2, so pre-game was held in the bar.

Tony Newsham #302

29/01/17 v Leicester Longhorns

Hull Sharks

No limit lines, no pylons denoting hash marks, no 9 yard marks, irregular yard marks at the 5 yard to Goal Line at one end of the field.

Chris Jarvis #10

29/01/17 v Glasgow Tigers

Cardiff Cobras

Officials' changing room small. Bigger room was supposed to be available but overrunning soccer game meant it was not.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

05/02/17 v Exeter Demons

LJM Fury

Team areas were not marked. Three changing rooms were provided, however the visiting team required the use of two changing rooms as they had both male and female players. The officials therefore had to “time-share” one of the changing rooms with the visiting team . The changing rooms were not lockable.

Ben Griffiths #228

29/01/17 v Warwick Wolves

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Bath Spa Bulldogs

Field markings were not at their best. We had an 80 yard field but end zones between 10 and 15 yards deep with, at one end, goal posts a further three yards behind the end line. May other line markings were short and crooked, however there was nothing that needed to halt or cancel the game which was a fairly played and competitive contest.

Francis Bevan #474

29/01/17 v Plymouth Blitz

Liverpool Raptors

With Liverpool leading 27-0 at the end of the first half, the away head coach informed the crew that they would not be willing to play the second half. The reasons given were that they had a a depleted squad which had been further exacerbated by injuries from the first half, meaning it would be unsafe to continue. Game was abandoned at this point. Hash Marks too wide, PAT line on the 2 instead of the 3-yard line. no team areas marked.

Stuart Young #33

04/12/16 v Chester Legion

Huddersfield Hawks

Field was only 85 yards with 7 yard endzones. No limit lines, 9 yard marks or coaching/players boxes. The lines were in red and very faint in places but this didn't cause too many problems. The game balls provided were all very under-inflated and had to be pumped up. There were no posts so the game was played as a no post game, although Leicester wish it made clear that they were playing under protest as the kicking game was an important part of their gameplan.

David Hewitt #607

04/12/16 v DMU Falcons

UWS Pyros

Although an ambulance was booked it did not arrive on time, and a replacement had to be organised. Although this was expected to delay the game for 1 hour both coaches agreed to go ahead with the game. Unfortunately a few minutes before the ambulance was due to arrive a car crash occurred on the main road outside the venue, which closed the road to all incoming traffic. The game was, therefore, abandoned.

Ian Sneddon #427

05/02/17 v Heriot-Watt

City Sentinels

The game was played in the East London Rugby Club and there were multiple problems. 1^st the changing room is very small, suitable for at most 3 officials. 2^nd the chain set was not good, as one of the chain ends was just 1 metre tall. 3^rd was with the field, it was full of leaves and the field markings were dark blue, which were not really visible. Apart from these we had a nice muddy football match.

Viktor Janvari #63

05/02/17 v UCL Emperors

Leeds Carnegie

This is a 80yd field where the yard lines are 12" short of the side line. There are no team or coaches areas marked, these were marked out with low safety cones prior to KO.

Chris Jarvis #10

11/12/16 v Manchester Tyrants

Bangor Muddogs

Upon arrival it was found that an area of the field from the 10 yard line to the goalline in one corner was extremely waterlogged. Despite the efforts of the groundstaff and buckets of sand this area was declared unsafe. To allow the game to proceed, after consulting both coaches, the game was played as a 1 post game with the offences driving away from the area. The rest of the field, although squidgy in places, remained playable for the duration of the game.

John Roberts #145

05/02/17 v Liverpool Raptors

Bradford Bears

Kick off was delayed for 25 mins due to 11 Bradford players not appearing on the BUCS webpage of registered players. This meant players had to verify their registration with the Keele coaching staff by showing email confirmations on their mobile phones. No limit lines,9 yard marks or 3 yard marks. The in field hash marks were marked with blue aerosol and had pretty much disappeared by halftime. The game balls supplied by the home team were of poor quality and soft so keele kindly let us use 3 of their game balls.

David Hewitt #607

11/12/16 v Chester Legion

Durham Saints

On arrival, field was marked as 100 yards but with posts roughly 3 yards inside endzones. Agreed with both coaches to shorten the field to 90 yards and use 5-yard lines as the goal lines and roughly 8-yard endzones. Durham expect this to be rectified "at some point". Balls presented to officials about 10 minutes prior to kick off and were significantly under legal pressure. Line judge had pump and gauge but due to distance to changing rooms this adjustment led to a 10 minute delay in kick off. Second half delayed by 5 minutes due to medical cover leaving the playing area during half-time and being slow to return. No team/coach areas marked.

Stuart Young #33

11/12/16 v Derby Braves

Greenwich Mariners

Played at Orpington RFC. 90-yard field with 9-yard end zones and main lines every 10 yards. No coaching lines, limit lines, numbers or 9-yard marks. inbounds lines only marked on a quarter of the pitch and at incorrect depth so were ignored. KO delayed by 15 minutes due to problems sourcing officials assistants, clearing field of dog excrement and attempts to source an alternative home kit that clashed less with the opponents' kit.

Tim Ockendon #481

11/12/16 v UEL Titans

Royal Holloway Bears

The lines were painted yellow and were very indistinct. When looking towards the end the sun was shining from it was almost impossible to see the lines

Keith Wickham #423

11/12/16 v Kent Falcons

UWE Bullets

Team areas marked between the 35 yard lines with a coaching line but no players' box line. The UWE students union advised that kickoff was scheduled for 1200, but both teams were under the impression that kickoff was at 1300, and arrived on that basis. At about 1250 the crew was advised that the medical cover booked to attend was stuck in traffic related to a Remembrance day event, it's expected ETA was 1400 and the home team were attempting to source medical cover from other sources. At 1330 the crew were advised that the originally scheduled medical cover would not be attending as they had returned to their base and attempts to source alternative cover were not successful, at which point the game was abandoned.

Peter Parsons #321

11/12/16 v Exeter Demons

Birmingham Lions

No coaching box line marked. No limit lines. Team areas marked to beyond the 25 yard lines.

Peter Parsons #321

03/12/16 v Hertfordshire Hurricanes

Newcastle Raiders

90 yard field, no limit lines, one of the stakes was missing the top section.

Daniel Holt #371

11/12/16 v Sunderland Spartans

Chester Legion

There were no changing rooms (nor toilet facilities) of any description available at the game site. Apparently the University had made a changing room available, but this was a 20 minute drive away. The visiting team had therefore dressed prior to travel. A Sunday league soccer match was taking place near-by and the home team for this match allowed us to briefly use their hut so that the officials could dress, but this was locked as soon as we had dressed and no further access was possible. A note to future crews; I’d advise travelling to the game site already dressed. No 9 nine yard marks or numbers, but there were Rugby Union markings in blue at approximately the correct position. The team areas were marked but the coaching line was at approximately 10 feet with the second line at approximately 20 feet. The home team stated that they would initially be able to provide only one ball-person, however when they were reminded they two were required a second was eventually provided 10 minutes prior to kick-off.

Ben Griffiths #228

29/01/17 v Bangor Muddogs

UCL Emporers

Excellent facility but as it is Watford FC training facility you cannot gain access to changing room until 1pm. Game kicked off at 1:40 so, as per rule, ran 10 minute quarters.

Brian Yates #29

11/12/16 v Chichester Spitfires

Derby Braves

Field Markings were blue on a green surface. Team Areas marked with temporary barriers and cones. Only one goal post so game played "one-way", Stirling's jersey numbers did not contrast with the background colour however they changed to an alternate jersey to comply.

Richard Whitby #136

04/12/16 v Loughborough

Bath Killer Bees

The field is generally very well marked out (albeit in blue). However, the endlines (which are the rugby goal lines) had not been re-marked and were a rather faint white - this didn't present a problem on the day but may do in the future. The team areas were marked out much too far from the sidelines, so new team areas were marked out in cones. Plaudits must go to the two teams, who played a well-contested good-natured game with no major penalties. The official's assistants were also very good.

Amir Brooks #593

05/02/17 v Swansea Titans

Sunderland Spartans

Kick off delayed by 35 minutes whilst awaiting for medical requirements to be met, apparently Sunderland only asked for first aiders. Home team could only provide 2 footballs, so we asked Glasgow if they had any, which they provided. Padding had to be added to a wall, which is within a couple of yards at one end of the pitch, soccer goal posts had to be moved out of the way and one set of football posts had to be rotated as they were at a 45 degree angle to the sideline. Game suspended early in the 3^rd quarter due to an injury to a Sunderland player, then again later in 3^rd to deal with a disqualified player.

04/12/16 v Northumbria Mustangs

Leeds Celtics

Game abandoned at end of 3^rd Quarter due to injuries with Leeds Celtics Linemen.

Daniel Johnston #347

04/12/16 v Bangor Mudogs

Lincoln Colonials

Goals were soccer goals with extended uprights. Field markings faint. No team areas marked. Changing room was cramped, dirty and full of old lost property

Brian Yates #29

05/02/17 v DMU Falcons

Heriot-Watt

No team box or coaching boxes marked. No limit line.

Henry Richardson #25

11/12/16 v Teesside Cougars

Kent Falcons

90-yard field marked in red with other sport markings in white, yellow and blue. No limit lines, numbers or 9-yard marks. Team areas marked with cones. Inbounds lines at incorrect depth.

Tim Ockendon #481

12/02/17 v Royal Holloway Bears

Manchester Tyrants

Start of game delayed by slightly over 60 minutes as medical crew forgot the game was on despite being contacted on Friday by the home team. They did arrive approximately 1 hour after the scheduled kickoff time and were briefed. The field is a 90 yard AstroTurf pitch which is reasonably well marked in blue, there are some rugby marks on the field in white but they do not distract from the football markings. There are no coaches or team areas marked

04/12/16 v Sheffield Hallam Warriors

Gloucester Gladiators

Kickoff was delayed by 15 minutes due to late arrival of away team. The field is 80 yards long and generally well marked out, but the inbounds hash marks were approximately 18 yards from the sidelines (2 yards closer than they should be), and the team areas were set back too far from the sidelines. The chain set is poor condition; one of the stakes was found to be broken and required an emergency repair before kickoff. The officials' changing room was spacious, but dirty and cold (the heater was broken!).

Amir Brooks #593

04/12/16 v Bath Spa Bulldogs

Northumbria Mustangs

No team box marked , no numbers, no limit line.

Henry Richardson #25

05/02/17 v Hull Sharks

Sussex Saxons

Game started 40 minutes late whilst we awaited the arrival of the medical cover. As this was the first game in a doubleheader, which already had a tight timeline, it was agreed to shorten all quarters to 10minutes.

David Knight #135

04/12/16 v Portsmouth Destroyers

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: 3rd and 10 at the Team A 40 yard line. Left guard A77 pulls off the line after the snap and turns 90 degrees to his right to face the sideline opposite him. He runs towards the sideline and the quarterback hands the ball forwards to him one yard behind the line of scrimmage. He turns upfield and runs to the Team A 48 yard line. Ruling?
Ruling?

Last week

Play: Time is running out towards the end of the 4th quarter. Team A are losing by 1 points and have 3rd and 15 on the Team B 20 yard line, Team A decide to go for a field goal. The kick is blocked by B90 behind the line of scrimmage. The ball bounces backwards and rolls out of bounds on the team B 25 yard line. The ball never crossed the line of scrimmage. There are 3 seconds left on the clock when the ball goes out of bounds. Ruling? Next play? Clock?

Ruling: When a scrimmage kick goes out of bounds or comes to rest between the goal lines, the ball belongs to the receiving team at that spot (6-3-7). When a field goal does not touch cross the neutral zone or is touched by team B beyond the neutral zone, it is treated in exactly the same way as a normal scrimmage kick (8-4-2-b-2). Therefore team B get the ball at their own 25 yard line. The clock will start on the snap. Team B will take a knee to win the game.

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: 1st and 10, the ball is at the team A's 30 yard line. Quarterback A4 drops back into the pocket to look for an open receiver. He is pursued by Defensive End B90 and is about to throw a legal forward pass as B90 makes legal contact with him. During B90's subsequent tackle of A4, the ball comes out of the Quarterback's grasp. The Referee is well-positioned to see the action, but is not completely sure if A4 began to throw the pass as the ball came out. The ball lands behind A4 and a defender falls on it. No other official has a view on the action. Ruling?
Answer next issue...

Last week

Play: What is the “Silent Wind” and when should a Referee be using it?
Answer: The “Silent Wind” should be used by the Referee when the game clock has stopped between plays and should run when the ball is ready for play (3-3-2-e). The referee should indicate to the timekeeper that the clock should run by using signal S2, there is no need to blow a whistle unless there is a need to attract the attention of the clock operator (MM 9-9-c-13-b).

Date

Event

Contact for details

2017

February 18^th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

April 1^st & 2^nd (Sat / Sun)

BAFRA Convention Weekend

April 1^st (Sat)

BAFRA Limited AGM

May 6^th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

July 22^nd (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

November 18^th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

BAFRA Directors

President

David Parsons

president@bafra.info

General Secretary

Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.info

Finance

Charlie Dean Young

finance@bafra.info

Operations

Richard Vernon

operations@bafra.info

Recruitment

James Meredith

recruitment@bafra.info

Training

Pete Thom

training@bafra.info

Director without Portfolio #1

Peter Parsons

dwp1@bafra.info

Director without Portfolio #2

Steve Tonkinson

dwp2@bafra.info

The opinions expressed in this Newsflash are those of the contributors, and not necessarily of BAFRA or its Directors.

All Incident Reports to be submitted via www.bafra.info.

Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.info) is midnight Tuesday.