Bondi Cannon

just wanted to say this is always my favourite thread on here, I really enjoy the descriptions of various amateur grounds and new clubs... please keep it going

had this many years ago refereeing a game in Otara in Auckland. Some idiot was running up down the sideline threatening the touch judge. I went and sat down at halfway and said I wasn't restarting the game until he went. Two very large Samoan guys walked over, picked the guy up by an arm each and disappeared into the distance.

sadly Cas Vegas passed away a few years ago, he was a great bloke

Regular lurker than poster but.. refereed over 20 years... got to grade 2 in the UK, then emigrated to NZ. had to basically start at the bottom again but got up to refereeing Auckland premier, then in the national provincial comp, then doing NSW Cup and Holden Cup lines then a couple of NSW Cup middles.. reserve TJ for one test match, did one NRL pre-season line, but that was where I peaked and I quit in my late 30s due to kids etc and went to play over-35s football with my mates instead. The time commitment was one factor towards the end, always being the bridesmaid and never the bride another, and ultimately i got sick of the from the crowds and the coaches - the players were all fine, I got on really well with most of them.

Is it true you let Lee Oudenryn win your sprint race in 1992 because some of your teammates had punted on him winning?

I'm sure he could be persuaded to make it bigger. Also that 22k figure was bolstered by a lot of $5 and $10 ticket offers. Probably more value in being the hot ticket in town and selling out at $40 a ticket every week.

there is a possible upside in all this for league.. the billionaire behind it is promising to build a city centre waterfront stadium, which a lot of people here want. If its an 18-20k capacity ground he'll need a second sport there... the Warriors would be ideal. Mt Smart is pretty rundown and out in an industrial suburb - no bars or restaurants nearby.

Martin Dean, I think if it is the same guy, refereed for some years in the London Society, now the Southern Referees Society. You could contact Alan Smith or Allan Steven down there and I reckon they could find him for you. Or try an old Barla handbook ie about 8-10 yrs ago which listed referees contact details.