Why no countdown clock...????

BenWL · Post by **BenWL** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:49 am

Can someone explain to me why we have the clock over the TV commentary box counting down some weeks but not others...?

Toulouse were starting to look dangerous in the last few minutes and it would have been easier on my nerves if I had known how long there was to go and I'm sure the players would also like to know.

Iain · Post by **Iain** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:19 am

It is supplied by Guinness, as such it is for Premiership matches only.

Sherpa2 · Post by **Sherpa2** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:29 am

Thanks for the explanation Iain, I was wondering about it as well but how daft is that!!

BenWL · Post by **BenWL** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:39 am

Thanks Iain.

Some great advertising there because I had no idea that Guinness were responsible...!

That said, if the clock has the ability to countdown why not use it. I don't imagine it is controlled from Dublin, it will be switched on by a Tigers employee.

If there are any Guinness markings on it then blank them out, it can't be any more ridiculous than covering up all the Everards signs around the ground.

Iain · Post by **Iain** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:46 am

My understanding is that competition rules also dictate. The clocks are supplied to all Premiership teams, not all Heineken Cup teams. As such, as not all clubs have them, no team can have an unfair advantage by being able to see a countdown clock.

I agree though, being able to see a countdown clock for ALL games would be useful.

Tigerbeat · Post by **Tigerbeat** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:27 pm

If you watch the Heineken Cup on Sky, the clock runs continuously and goes into extra time.

The clock is not stopped at every break in play, unlike the Guinness and EDF matches.

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:35 pm

The players did know how long was left (as did everyone with reflink) as the referee kept asking for constant timechecks from the timekeeperfor the last 10 minutes or so.

As the last scrum was set (for the first time) all players were told that there was 1 min & 10 seconds left to play.

BenWL · Post by **BenWL** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:48 pm

Tigerbeat wrote:If you watch the Heineken Cup on Sky, the clock runs continuously and goes into extra time.

The clock is not stopped at every break in play, unlike the Guinness and EDF matches.

Why...? Shouldn't it all be the same...?

masopa · Post by **masopa** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:48 pm

BenWL wrote:
Tigerbeat wrote:If you watch the Heineken Cup on Sky, the clock runs continuously and goes into extra time.

The clock is not stopped at every break in play, unlike the Guinness and EDF matches.

Why...? Shouldn't it all be the same...?

I must admit, I get a bit confused as to why it isn't. I mean I don't mind if across the board it's done the "old" way of running the clock constantly and playing injury time, but it does seem confusing as to why it's only certain matches which have privileged access to the timekeeper's clock.

Bizarre!

Tigerbeat · Post by **Tigerbeat** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:00 pm

The countdown clocks have been installed at the grounds for use in the Guiness and domestic cup competitions.

When the Heineken Cup is being played, the Guinness advertismnet boards are covered so as not to advertise.