LSRFUR was represented by Jack Pitt (N) and Tom Roberts (SE) on the ten-day away leg of the USA exchange. Hosted by the Southeast Rugby Referee Society, the itinerary promised a range of fixtures across Georgia and the Carolinas.
Tour opened under Friday night lights in North Carolina, with London providing two-thirds of the team of three as the University of Tennessee visited Queens University of Charlotte. In the kind of wet and cold conditions that might have been familiar back home, Jack took charge of a tightly fought 17-17 draw.
The first weekend brought the opportunity for the referees to immerse themselves in age-grade rugby at the Carolina Ruggerfest. 80 teams across 18 divisions showcased the junior game in fast-paced, 50-minute matches. Kept busy across the seven tournament fields and a packed schedule, the referees still had the chance to watch local colleagues and draw on the experience of observers.
A rapid-developing addiction to South Carolina BBQ saw heavier frames arrive in Georgia for the second of the two tournaments, but the schedule was just as hectic at the Savannah St Patrick’s Day Tournament. Club and College teams arrived from across the country to compete in divisions from Social to Premier. A stormy first day saw some games played in swamp-like conditions, but the Sunday finals were competitive, always physical, and some fine rugby was on show. Jack, to the fore again, took charge of the Men’s Premier Championship game as Detroit RFC were defeated by Life University, with Tom in the middle for the Collegiate Championship and the Club Championship, a ‘local’ derby between Savannah Shamrocks and Columbia Rhinos.
Beyond the rugby, the tour provided for many a chance to sample the history, food and drink of the Southeast, as well as more established local sports including baseball, basketball and even NASCAR. Huge thanks are owed to the SERRS and in particular to John Meyers; Southern hospitality maintains its fine reputation. LSRFUR was represented by Jack Pitt (N) and Tom Roberts (SE) on the ten-day away leg of the USA exchange. Hosted by the Southeast Rugby Referee Society, the itinerary promised a range of fixtures across Georgia and the Carolinas.
Tour opened under Friday night lights in North Carolina, with London providing two-thirds of the team of three as the University of Tennessee visited Queens University of Charlotte. In the kind of wet and cold conditions that might have been familiar back home, Jack took charge of a tightly fought 17-17 draw.
The first weekend brought the opportunity for the referees to immerse themselves in age-grade rugby at the Carolina Ruggerfest. 80 teams across 18 divisions showcased the junior game in fast-paced, 50-minute matches. Kept busy across the seven tournament fields and a packed schedule, the referees still had the chance to watch local colleagues and draw on the experience of observers.
A rapid-developing addiction to South Carolina BBQ saw heavier frames arrive in Georgia for the second of the two tournaments, but the schedule was just as hectic at the Savannah St Patrick’s Day Tournament. Club and College teams arrived from across the country to compete in divisions from Social to Premier. A stormy first day saw some games played in swamp-like conditions, but the Sunday finals were competitive, always physical, and some fine rugby was on show. Jack, to the fore again, took charge of the Men’s Premier Championship game as Detroit RFC were defeated by Life University, with Tom in the middle for the Collegiate Championship and the Club Championship, a ‘local’ derby between Savannah Shamrocks and Columbia Rhinos.
Beyond the rugby, the tour provided for many a chance to sample the history, food and drink of the Southeast, as well as more established local sports including baseball, basketball and even NASCAR. Huge thanks are owed to the SERRS and in particular to John Meyers; Southern hospitality maintains its fine reputation.