Antony and Roger set off

As part of the Auckland Rugby Referees Association’s commitment to developing quality referees, Roger Drew and Antony Petrie recently set off on an un-paid ‘working’ holiday that will take them into the heart of English Rugby and onward to the Dubai Sevens.

After 31 hours travelling time, members Roger (Referee Coach) and Antony (Referee) finally arrived in the UK for Part 1 of their trip to Dubai via Bristol then London.

Upon arrival at London’s busiest airport, the boys immediately headed west to Bristol by train and were met by Geoff Warren, a member of the Bristol Referees Society and current TMO in the European Championship.

The first night consisted of much needed sleep and catching up with Roger’s good mate, Andy Miller, former chairman of the Bristol Referees Society, who he knows through the Dubai tournament.

Friday consisted of tourist activities by being taken round Bristol by Geoff and Andy. First stop was at a local coffee shop where they met former test and Rugby World Cup Final referee Ed Morrison.

From there they were taken to Brunel’s SS Great Britain – the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic, before a drive through the city lead to the Avon Gorge Suspension Bridge which is a major Bristol landmark, another triumph of engineering by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Roger and Antony at the Clifton Suspension Bridge

The day concluded with a trip to a local Jazz Bar that night for a bit of Jazz music with Andy and his wife Barbara.

Saturday consisted of game day for Antony and Referee Assessment for Rog. Antony’s game was a Level 6 local derby between Clevedon and Avonmouth which proved to be quite a tight, tough and physical encounter. Both teams sat mid table but it was home side Clevedon that came out with the victory winning 16-10. Meanwhile, Roger assessed a local up and coming referee in a Level 7 game between Gordino and Whitehall.

Antony Petrie refereeing in Bristol

That night both lads were taken out and enjoyed the local food and bars with the local referees. The last day in Bristol saw both guys refereeing junior games. Antony had a Colts fixture between St Brendan’s and Gordino which Gordino won 27-15. Roger came out of retirement and refereed the 2nd half of an u16 game between Clifton and St Brendan’s that St Brendan’s won 39-19.

The boys have thoroughly enjoyed their time in Bristol and would like to thank Andy Miller, Geoff Warren and the other Bristol referees who have either shown them around the region, driven them to their games or spent time away from rugby with the boys.

From here both Roger and Antony will head to London for a week before going to Dubai for the Invitational 7s tournament.

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