Holiday fixtures a thing of the past - another ‘progressive’ change

David Matthews laments the loss of a great tradition

In the bleak mid-winter…….”, it certainly was “long, long ago”, I travelled to Cornwall to referee Camborne v Redruth on the morning of Boxing Day, came back the next day and the following day went to Moseley to take charge of their game against Llanelli. I loved it. The year was 1991 and of the numerous changes in the game since then, the absence of fixtures over the holiday period is one of the most disappointing. Sad, because any sporting event, regardless of the level, that takes place at this time of year, attracts a bumper crowd. You could go on all day about the advent of professionalism, change in social habits, need for a break but, simply, no-one could care less about playing in ‘unsocial hours’ these days. Except those who are paid a fortune for it.

The background to my early morning, epic trip to Camborne was interesting. I had been invited, way back in September, by top international referee Laurie Prideaux, a club official, to do the game, although he failed to add that nobody down there would do it (a bit like another famous Boxing Day clash, Gloucester v Lydney, which I twice had the dubious pleasure of sorting out). It was a case of ‘seemed like a good idea at the time’. So, I agreed to put my head in the noose, saying I would travel on the morning of the game - try that in 2018. The very fact that I had managed to in around five hours, never mind referee as well, caused a bit of a stir down in Cornwall twenty six years ago.

There was always an extra edge to the Boxing Day clashes (as the Gloucester captain was quick to remind me in one of those aforementioned contests following a full scale bust up) and a discernible festive spirit in the crowd which enhanced the occasion, so it was guaranteed to offer a different type of challenge for the referee. Nor were there any leagues, though none of the players could have given any more effort if there had been points at stake.

To take you up to New Year there was a whole series of popular County Schools fixtures in the North but, though remaining in the calendar, they have disappeared from the holiday list. Then, maybe surprisingly, the same Christmas feeling re-emerged on this first day of a New Year which made you wonder where on earth the description ‘friendlies’ came from. Once more, another familiar destination for me seemed to be Gloucester, with London Scottish, then a major force, the visitors.

Whenever rugby people reminisce, it is normally because the event(s) being described gave so much pleasure; it must drive young people mad, though any attempt to compare the two games, now and then, is futile. But no-one could argue one thing, that there was a lot more rugby being played, even in Cornwall.

DWM 13/12/2017 (8)