Whingers

Both teams were a charming bunch of lads before and after the match.
But for 90 minutes they nagged and went on like a bunch of cackling hens, never enough to get themselves booked, but just enough to test my patience.
It was almost like a practiced routine. "That was a bad one ref", "You know you got that one wrong", "when are you going to give us a decision then?". In isolation they all sound like remarks that a ref can and does ignore on a regular basis.
But on Saturday it was constant, from about the 20th minute. I was able, most of the time, to vary between a cheerful exchange of banter and ignoring them completely, but I was puzzled by the arbitrary nature of the complaining. Even the most obvious of fouls or misdemeanours would be met with a couple of whinges.
One thing I think I'm going to change. I've got into the habit, in the brief pre-match chat I have with players, of trying to encourage them to focus on their own discipline and not to lose their concentration if they feel a decision goes against them. I usually tell the players that there's bound to be a mistake or two from me during the match as I'm only human -- and only Grade 6.
But after Saturday I think I'll drop that comment. I've got a feeling the players may have taken advantage of my good nature.