One for the ref as Francis acclaimed

Bob Francis' refereeing exploits will be celebrated by the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union on Saturday.

Francis will be guest of honour at the after-match ceremonies being held at Memorial Park on a day in which all five premier division club games will be played there.

The former Masterton mayor pulled the plug on a 50-year stint with rugby refereeing, actively and as an administrator, after being part of the IRB panel responsible for selecting referees at last year's Rugby World Cup.

It was in 1961 Francis first took up the whistle in Wairarapa club rugby and he did not take long to scale the heights, controlling his first provincial game just four years later.

All told, he officiated in just under 100 first-class matches, with his 12 Ranfurly Shield games including the memorable encounter in 1985 when Auckland tipped over holders Canterbury at Lancaster Park.

Francis refereed 10 internationals in either the United Kingdom and Argentina and considers one of his most notable appointments to be that in 1986 when he controlled the Rest of the World v Lions fixture at Cardiff Arms Park.

On retiring from the active whistling ranks, he turned his attention to administration and for 14 years was on the panel which selected referees for provincial games in this country, including a period as chairman.

And he was on the IRB referees' selection panel for six years, taking in the World Cups in France in 2007 and that in New Zealand last year.

Meanwhile, the highlight of premier division play on Saturday will undoubtedly be the clash between Pioneer and Bush Sports, the only two teams still in contention for the Kapene Cup. The trophy goes to the leading side at the end of one full round of matches.

Pioneer have the inside running with a draw being good enough to ensure them of the cup.

Other matches will see Carterton up against Marist, Eketahuna taking on East Coast, Greytown meeting Gladstone and Rams doing battle with Martinborough.