RFL certainly looking to cut down on travel expenses this week....
Referee: John McMullen (Wigan)
Has been a touch judge for Oxford games on many occasions, most recently the home game against Newcastle this season. But this is the first of our games he has refereed. Last week he refereed Coventry v Newcastle, but is clearly another of those being brought through now that we are towards the end of the season. Is also reserve touch judge for Salford v Castleford on Friday. Played for Wigan St Judes at stand-off and captained BARLA Great Britain Lions. Here he is practicising to be his own touch judges:
Touch Judge: Curtly Etchells (Barrow)
Last season when we played Barrow at Cheltenham I pointed out that it included a very rare occurrence at an Oxford game of two Cumbrian officials. Well, the RFL obviously thought that worked because this time they've gone for three Cumbrian officials. Touch judge Curtly Etchells is from Barrow. His only previous Oxford game was as touch judge for the Lock Lane Challenge Cup tie this season. He has a law degree, but it's only second class and not from Oxford so I don't have to worry about what I write.
Touch Judge: Bryan Scott (Workington, Cumbria)
Was one of the officials at last year's game, although he was reserve referee on that occasion (and was touch judge for the All Golds-Skolars game that took place just before). Was also touch judge for the League 1 Cup victory over Hemel and the league match at Keighley this season. Last week was touch judge at Coventry v Newcastle, so will know how the referee operates. He is one of these two:
Reserve Referee: Terry Bewley (Barrow)
If I have this right he's about three times the age of some of our other reserve referees. Normally a referee in the Cumbrian amateur scene.
Match Commissioner: Bob Connolly (Wigan)
To all intents and purposes is spending this weekend with John McMullen, as he is also match commissioner for Salford v Castleford on Friday.
