Nature Intervenes

Last night a rugby match was stopped due to lightning after 64 minutes and the result stood even though there were 16 minutes still remaining in the game. The match was between the Blue Bulls and the Stormers with the Bulls leading by 35-6 when the match was abandoned.

I think the right call was made as playing the game the following day just wouldn't work. The seasons are already being condensed due to late starts and rescheduling later on at another date may not even happen. The chances of a team scoring 29 points in 16 minutes is highly unlikely, but then again nothing is impossible as I have seen some crazy shit happen. According to SA Rugby one half is enough to call a game and I didn't know that. I have never heard of that rule before and will be looking that one up personally.

The protocol explains the time between flash and clap: "When the lightning strike is within six miles of the venue, it is recommended that players are removed from the pitch. The speed of sound through air is approximately 0.2 miles per second, so for every 5 seconds of time between the lightning flash and the associated thunder clap, the strike is one mile away
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We count the time between the flash of lightning and the thunder as it is fairly accurate and not an old wives tale.

What would have happened though if the scores were closer? Maybe the answer would be to call it a draw or wait for the lightning to move on. I have seen games stopped by hail and lightning before but they have all resumed after a short while. I think this game was so one sided everyone though what is the point.

Electrical storms on the highveld are common this time of the year and something I look forward to. Hot days followed by cooling thunder showers in the evenings is something we can expect nearly every other day now.

Things changed for sport world wide when a foot ball match was being televised when players suddenly dropped to the ground. It was actually quite funny to watch, but I am sure it must have been painful if you were on the pitch.

South Africa last year had 28 deaths due to lightning strikes and people do pay attention taking it more seriously nowadays. We know when there is lightning about as the local golf course has what I would describe an air raid type siren that warns everyone of the incoming storm.

In the army our main tent pole was struck whilst we were lying in our beds which was an eye opener. The green flame went down the pole and back up and the 6 of us all saw it as inside it was like daylight even though it was pitch dark at the time. Fun times you might say but I have plenty of respect for mother nature. You just have to drive through some areas to see how many dead trees there are and most of them are from lightning strikes.