Referee Appointments, Coventry Bears -v- ORL 23 july : Fri Jul 22, 2016 7:45 pm
Referee: Nick Bennett (Dewsbury and Batley)From the Dewsbury and Batley referees society but I believe is based in Sheffield. First refereeing appointment with Oxford but was touch judge at three of our games last season. Also last season was referee at the National Conference League Grand Final between Leigh Miners Rangers and Siddal at Widnes. In the last round of League 1 fixtures he refereed Hemel v Newcastle, but I don't think he has yet refereed many games at this level. Double duty this weekend as a touch judge at Leigh v Dewsbury on Sunday. This is probably him (or it might just be a generic referee photo used to illustrate an article about him...)
Touch Judge: Simon Ellis (Dewsbury and Batley)
No doubt travelling in the same car as the referee, which he probably also did at the end of last year because he was a touch judge at the aforementioned National Conference League Grand Final. First known Oxford game. Was Dewsbury and Batley Referee of The Year for 2015, and here's the proof,
Touch Judge: Joe Stearne (Castleford & Featherstone)
A regular visitor, last time being as a touch judge in the home game against Rochdale this year. Double duty this weekend as reserve referee at Wakefield v Castleford on Sunday.
Reserve Referee: George Barrass (Leeds)
Don't know a lot about him, but he is a Leeds Rhinos fan so probably not in a good mood just now. Double duty this weekend as a touch judge at Widnes v Castleford Under-19s on Sunday.
Match Commissioner: Darren Hayes (South West)
Third known Oxford game as match commissioner, the last one being our only 2016 meeting with London Skolars. Originally from Widnes, but lives in Royal Wootton Bassett. Is also a Conference League South referee. Double duty this weekend as match commissioner at Leigh v Dewsbury on Sunday so the RFL obviously think that he really needs to keep an eye on Nick Bennett.
COYB's