Rugby: Referee abuse drama as City score hat-trick win landing team top of the league

City’s rugby team faced drama on Wednesday after landing their third consecutive win of the season putting them top of the league.

Scoring a drop-goal and conversion in the final minute of the game came as a great triumph for The Reds as it propelled them to the top of the South Eastern 5B league, beating Greenwich University 14-12.

But in an act of rage at the end of the match, Greenwich walked off the pitch in anger.

The entire side, including the coach, started yelling and abusing the referee. This resulted in a red card for one of the Greenwich men – a rare sight in university level rugby.

Team captain Rory Barton said: “It was really stressful after the game, me and the opposition captain and the ref had a 10 minute chat and sorted everything out. Thankfully we shook hands and had a tunnel … once it had cooled down after. It was just a bit of hot headedness.”

After a decent start to the game, it took Greenwich scoring and gaining the lead for so-far unbeaten City to wake up. But when they did they brought the game home in style.

Barton said: “It was a good result in a tough game. But there was a lot of drama after which put a bit of a damper onto the game.”

With a last-minute penalty waiting, City had the chance to win the game. Five metres from the line, there was a massive ruck, within which all hopes of winning the game lay.

After almost losing the ball to the depths of the ruck, Gareth Anstee appeared but was then tackled, flinging the ball wide. Possession went from Anstee to Barton, then Barton to Naty. Greenwich saw this opportunity and seemed to choke Naty as he attempted to score.

The referee awarded a penalty try, as City would have scored if the foul hadn’t been committed by Greenwich. City scored the conversion, winning the game 14-12.