Weymouth rugby referee, aged 72, steps in to ensure derby game went ahead
Ken Pipe had just 15 minutes notice to officiate the match
A 72 year old rugby referee, who's been retired from playing for 30 years, has made sure the 'scrum must go on' in Weymouth.
Ken Pipe had gone to watch Weymouth & Portland take on Bridport last Saturday (30th March), when the scheduled ref withdrew because they had Covid.
Club Chair Fiona Goldsmith asked Ken, who still officiates school matches, if he'd help out.
That left him with 15 minutes to go home, change into his kit and get back to referee the game.
The Seahorses ran out 33-18 winners against their local rivals.
There were extra celebrations too, as Weymouth prop Tim 'Yogi' Comben was making his 300th appearance, marking the occasion with a try to boot!
Ken told England Rugby that he was glad to help out:
“The family know I’m barmy so they weren’t surprised. It was a Derby game, Yogi’s 300th appearance, and Bridport were on a good run. It would have been a real shame not to have the match played because they had no official.
“I was looking at my watch as players asked how long to go and the time seemed to go slower and slower.
“At 72 I was quite glad to last the whole 80 minutes, but I imagine this will be the culmination of my senior team refereeing.
“All the players got a good game and I enjoyed playing until I was about 40 so it’s good to put something back, although I don’t think I’ll be doing that level again.”