It's Tuesday, there's a match at the weekend, so that means the return of refwatch.
Now as far as I can see Oxford RL haven't mentioned this game at all, so I wonder if it is more of a training run than a warm-up match. The 11.30 kick-off unfortunately means there is no chance of me reporting back in person. However, the RFL have the game on their website and have appointed officials, so someone is definitely taking it seriously.
Referee: Cameron Worsley (Castleford & Featherstone)
First known Oxford game (certainly first as referee). He won the RFL's Young Match Official of the Year last season - when the award was presented in October he was still only 17. He has officiated regularly in the National Conference League and at the last two Champion Schools tournaments. Here he gets his award from someone who always respects officials:
And this is him with a few friends when he was even younger:
I've found a photo with Greg Inglis to use the next time he gets an Oxford appointment... Also, he's reffing the London Broncos v Yowies game next week.
Touch Judge: Shane Daniel (York and Selby)
First known Oxford game. Was runner-up as RFL teacher of the year in 2015 but he did take the Yorkshire award. This might or might not be him on the left:
Touch Judge: Gareth Evans (York and Selby)
Now the other person in the photo above is Gareth's father, York rugby league stalwart Stuart Evans, who sadly died a couple of months ago. Gareth has been touch judge at a number of Oxford games, but the last one was in 2015. Plays on the wing in the Yorkshire Mens' League for York Locomotive, where he uses the name Gaz:
The RFL have also announced the referees for the game against London Broncos academy on 21 January. Proper refwatch next week but here's the provisional line-up:
Referee: Matt Rossleigh (Southern)
Touch Judges: Tom Mather (Southern), Nathan Walker (Dewsbury and Batley)
