Day the crowd turned out to CHEER the ref

Acclaim: Domercq

GEORGES Domercq, who died this week aged 89, must be one of the few referees to be mobbed by supporters when arriving back home from officiating at a major match overseas.

That’s what happened on the evening of Sunday January 28, 1973 when a weary Domercq climbed off his connecting flight from Paris to Biarritz with the sole intention of heading for the small town of Bellocq, where he was the mayor, and a well-deserved meal awaited.

Instead he was greeted by up to 100 rugby fans, many of them from his hometown, who were anxious to congratulate him for his officiating of the Barbarians outstanding 23-11 victory over New Zealand in Cardiff the previous day.

Back in the early 70s Domercq, who took up reffing after retiring as a player in 1958, was known as the referee above all others who would bring the advantage rule into play so was a natural choice for the Barbarians game especially as he had created a good impression on the Kiwis the previous month when he took charge of their 14-9 win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

He was also incredibly fit by refereeing standards of the day – which was another big plus on a frantic day of high speed action in Cardiff which included THAT Gareth Edwards try.