Rugby: Bay refs boss steps down

STILL ACTIVE: Bruce Dockary will continue to referee despite stepping down from the role of Hawke's Bay Rugby Referees Association chairman. PHOTO/FILE

Hawke's Bay Rugby Referees Association chairman Bruce Dockary has stood down after 15 years at the helm.

But the province's most experienced premier ref, who was replaced by Brent Malone at the association's annual meeting last night, will continue to blow the whistle.

"I will still be active and I will continue to coach referees. I won't be doing any more premier games unless they are desperate," Dockary, 56, said yesterday.

Although former Clive first five-eighth Dockary controlled 154 premier games between 2001 and last year Dockary will always be remembered for that 2009 call he made as an assistant referee in 2009. A split decision without the assistance of a televised match official saw Dockary incorrectly rule Magpies prop Sona Taumalolo had been forced into touch before scoring a try which would have secured a draw had it been converted in a 27-20 loss to Canterbury at Napier's McLean Park.

During the week after the match Dockary's house was bombarded with eggs and family members verbally abused. The deck of his Havelock North home had to be re-stained and the garage door repainted after the egg attack.

Dockary spent three months re-evaluating his future as a referee before deciding to continue.

"I still get some shit about that call. Fortunately it's on good fun terms," Dockary recalled before his 150th premier game in 2014.

As association chairman he regularly called for sideline abuse to be kicked into touch and last year he said it was the worst it had been in the Bay for a while. But it wasn't the abuse which prompted him to step down as chairman.

"It's time for a change and Brent will add a lot of value to the role. He is a sharp businessman and has been on the association's executive committee for a long time," he said.

Dockary anticipated there would be 65 active referees, the same number as last year, this season.

"We can get by with that number but as usual we will always welcome more recruits. You get a couple of injuries and referees wanting to have a weekend off and then it's tough to get all games covered."

Two of last season's premier refs won't be in action this year. Matt Smith has retired and Charlie Simons has returned to Australia.

"This will provide an opportunity for a couple in the next level down to step up," Dockary said.

A group procurement and logistics manager with Unison Networks Limited, Dockary, is looking forward to controlling 1st XV games and other lower grade encounters. Malone, a funeral director with Beth Shan Funeral Directors, still referees up to development grade level.

"There have been a lot more highs than lows during my time as chairman. I've enjoyed every moment. It is a great association with a good bunch of guys which I am sure will continue to grow. I must thank the clubs for their support over the many years too," Dockary said.

He was thrilled to celebrate his 150th premier game with a match between his former Clive club and Tamatea at Farndon Park. The 2009 Maddison Trophy final between Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports and Taradale which Taradale won 18-10 features among Dockary's list of highlights.

Others include the 2008 regional final in Tonga, a 2006 Maddison Trophy semifinal between Havelock North and Napier Old Boys Marist which the villagers won 24-15 in extra time and a match between the Hawke's Bay under-20s and a Canadian Invitation side.