Comitè d’Àrbitres de Catalunya 2015 Exchange

The 12th November saw 4 referees arrive in the North East to participate in the 3rd exchange between the Comitè d’Àrbitres de Catalunya (Referees Committee of Catalonia) and Durham County Rugby Union Referees’ Society.  .

The referees, Joshua Bellido, José Luis Murillo, Susanna Farré flew into Leeds/Bradford airport where they were picked up by Malcolm Shorney   Thursday evening they were guests at the Society’s Annual Dinner, which was held at Barnard Castle RUFC this year.  Unfortunately due to work commitments Pau Trubat arrived into Newcastle later in the evening and missed the dinner.

Friday saw all the visitors go out of County with on a trip to the historic city of York  – covering all the normal tourist attractions, an interesting tour of York Minster and the undercroft, walking around the Walls and the Shambles, managing to avoid the rain.

In the evening the society arranged a meal at Seaton Carew Rugby Club where they were able to spend a pleasant relaxed social time with some society members and of course exchange gifts and meet some of the members of Seaton Carew RFC.

Saturday morning involved a tour of Durham Cathedral and City led, as usual by Dave Winthrop, before the real focus for the visit, as the four referees prepared for their allocated games.  Heavy rain for the previous few days and in the morning of the game together with some colder temperatures ensured the visitors from Catalan would not be in their comfort zone

 Joshua Bellido who has just became a National Panel ref in Spain was in charge at West Hartlepool RFC as the home side looked to consolidate their promotion challenge against Wheatley Hills RFC.  In a competitive game the hosts were always in control and ran out winners by 47-6 see match report

Pau Trubat took charge of the level 7 game between Horden and Consett.  As anyone in Durham could predict this would be a tough game.  Horden took the first half honours leading by 19-3 until the 38^th minute when they conceded an interception as a lock ran 70 metres to score.  However Consett certainly had the better of the 2nd half as they added 24 points without reply to finish as winners by 19-34.  Despite Pau having an awkward fall in the 48th minute he was, after treatment, able to finish the match.  No doubt that will ensure the game stays in the mind and will bring some comments from his fellow referees when they see the video.

José Luis Murillo refereed the game between level 8 club Houghton who faced North Shields.  With both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table this was always going to be a close well contested game.

Susanna Farré had a late change of game due to the inclement weather.  Derek English kindly stepped aside so Susanna could take charge of Washington against Hartlepool BBOB.  After a period of heavy rain the pitch was a mud-bath and it was clear that the side who managed the conditions would be most successful.  Not exactly the conditions Susanna is used to either but she managed well in a game where eventually only one point separated the sides.  Final score Washington 13 vs Hartlepool BBOB 14 – see match report courtesy of Hartlepool BBOB

Saturday evening, our visitors joined the crowds attending the Durham City Lumiere, despite the rain throughout the evening, enjoying their second walking tour of the City and Cathedral, but in a different light!

On Sunday Joshua took an under 17 game at Consett and Pau took charge of an under 17 game at Sunderland.  Unfortunately the heavy overnight rain made the pitches at Gateshead unplayable so Susanna was spared another mud-bath as Philip Walton took her and José on a visit to Newcastle and a relaxing lunch!

Despite the weather we hope our visitors enjoyed their trip and benefitted from the experience

On November 21st 4 Durham members travelled to Catalunya in the return exchange