Drama at death as Barbarians edge Tonga in cruel conditions

Tonga rugby players must be ardently hoping that they never again encounter the conditions prevailing at Thomond Park last night.

Not alone did the rain pour down and the wind swirl viciously for the entire 80 minutes of their first ever game against the Barbarians but the South Sea islanders also went down a little unluckily by 27-24.

While there were many outstanding individual contributions to the evening’s entertainment, the gold medal for courage and staying power had to go to Frank Murphy who, believe it or not, made light of the dreadful conditions to referee both the women’s and men’s matches with his customary efficiency and without any visible sign of discomfort!