Cdr Paul Dorey RN (Retd), Northville Road, Kingsbridge, writes:

I do not think I have ever been called an 'idiotic imbecile' in your paper before because, as one of the two referees officiating at High House, Kingsbridge, on Sunday, November 13, it must surely be us your reader was referring to for getting the timing of the start of the matches wrong.

To reassure your readers, I can tell you that we marshalled all the players and the spectators facing the embankment and observed silence once we heard the maroon sound and two minutes later we started the game.

The boys traditionally make a lot of noise at this point, so this is what must of been heard and caused offence.

It would appear the distant maroon we heard was not related to the ceremony on Embankment Road.

The rugby club is stuffed with ex-servicemen and, as I stood there, at least two I know personally were standing to attention.

Having buried two of my sailors after a peacetime incident I am acutely aware of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and would never intentionally give offence.

That sacrifice, however, is so that we may get on with our lives and, having stood in respectful silence, any serviceman I have known would have wanted the boys to get on with their game.

I apologise for getting my timing wrong and I am sure next year the club and the officials will strain every sinew to make sure it doesn't happen again.