No Whistle, No Excuses: LooseHeadz RFC 34-34 MAD Refs at Lymm RFC

On 28th December, festive rugby delivered absolute gold as LooseHeadz RFC faced off against the MAD Refs of the Manchester & District Referees Society at the home of Lymm RFC- and in the most fitting result imaginable, it all finished 34-34.

A draw.
Perfectly balanced.
Law 6 satisfied.

Referees vs the Players They Referee Every Weekend

This charity clash flipped the rugby world on its head. The referees who normally control breakdowns, scrums, and sideline discipline suddenly found themselves being tackled by the very players they caution every weekend.

For the players, it was a rare chance to legally run at the ref.
For the refs, it was a sharp reminder that shouting “roll away” is considerably easier than actually rolling away.

LooseHeadz RFC brought high energy, strong carries, and trademark camaraderie. The MAD Refs countered with surprising skill, excellent law knowledge (obviously), and repeated claims of “that’s fine, play on” while flat on their backs.

A Game Managed… Properly

Keeping order amid this glorious chaos was Rosie Procter, who took charge of the match with calm authority and a clear understanding that this fixture needed both law application and humour management.

Refereeing referees is no small task- but Rosie handled it superbly and with a huge smile, ensuring the game flowed, the banter stayed friendly, and that not every marginal call turned into a law seminar.

End-to-End, Even-Stevens

Despite the laughs, this was no exhibition jog. Tries flew in from both sides, legs tired quickly (especially among those who haven’t played in years), and the scoreboard kept ticking. When full time arrived with the scores locked at 34-34, it felt exactly right-neither side willing to give an inch, just like every weekend league match… only louder.

The Masterminds Behind the Madness

Huge credit goes to the organisers who brought the idea to life:

• Jonny Cartwright – aka @thebaldref, proving that organisation, enthusiasm, and a shiny head can carry an event

• Henry Pearson – PWR referee and assistant referee for the upcoming U20s Six Nations, seamlessly blending elite officiating credentials with grassroots rugby spirit

Together, they delivered a fixture that was competitive, inclusive, and exactly what charity rugby should be.

Photographers deserve credit too- sat around the pitch- cold, in the wind & rain, capturing the incredible atmosphere on and off the pitch. Thank you to Mick & Justine from Point & Press Photography, and to Paul from PAC Photography for the images.

Rugby Done Right

Lymm RFC were outstanding hosts, with a buzzing clubhouse, welcoming volunteers, and a proper community feel throughout the day. Fundraising efforts off the pitch matched the commitment on it, underlining rugby’s ability to make a difference beyond the final score.

£2,000 Raised- Rugby Making a Difference

Most importantly, the day was a huge success off the pitch too. Thanks to donations, fundraising, and the incredible support from players, officials, and supporters, the match raised over £2,000 for LooseHeadz- a fantastic achievement and a powerful reminder of rugby’s ability to create real impact beyond the try line.

Want to Get Involved?

If this sounds like something your rugby club would love to host, we’d love to hear from you. These events thrive on community spirit- and we’re also on the hunt for volunteers who can help support and run future matches.

As players and referees shared post-match drinks- now all on the same side of the whistle- one thing was clear:

Rugby wins.
Charity wins.
And sometimes… the best way to respect the referee is to tackle them first.

Same again next year? 🏉