The referee in any sporting clash is the wielder of the game's rules and regulations, the voice of authority, the arbiter to which all must bow down.

Unless, of course, he gets himself too much in the thick of the action, in which case he can expect the kid gloves to be taken off.

That's what happened in this weekend rugby match between Keighley and Bank Top. The ref's done all he can in difficult circumstances - both teams are playing in dark colours, not helped by the mud. But he's got a pristine day-glo orange jersey.

Pristine, that is, until he gets crunched by a succession of three players, ending up in a heap under an impromptu scrum-down.

Get 'em on side, ref! Ref? Ref..?