Whitehaven v Oxford

It's the second attempt to play this Challlenge Cup tie, although last week's postponement did get us into the round 5 hat for the first time. The referee and match commissioner are the same as they would have been last week, but the other officials have changed. The new touch judge pairing is the same as for the victory over South Wales in round 3. No Olympic gold medallists in this week's pictures (or at least, not as far as I know).

On standby: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)
Refereed Oxford's first game last season, as well as the Challenge Cup final. Last Saturday lunchtime he was on hand to inspect the pitch at the Recreation Ground in Whitehaven (it's known as The Rec by locals and The Wreck by Workington fans). Later in the day he refereed Barrow's win over Keighley. His game this weekend is at Odsal on the Sunday. So before getting the 20 extra layers of clothing needed for that trip he might be able to pop down and look at the state of the bog, I mean pitch.

Referee: Tom Crashley (Wakefield)
Previous Oxford games:
02/06/2013 - Oxford 27 Gateshead 22 (penalties 10-4 against)
09/06/2013 - Oxford 28 Rochdale 42 (penalties 9-7 against)
07/07/2013 - Oxford 4 Oldham 22 (penalties 13-8 against, also sinbinned Andrew Bentley after a team warning)
08/05/2016 - North Wales 40 Oxford 18 (penalties 19-14 in favour)
So he refereed Oxford for 3 games out of 5 in 2013 at Iffley Road, and then after a 3 year gap appeared last season for the North Wales away game. The only photo I can find of him has an advert across the middle. So I didn't use it last week and later regretted it. Glad to get a second chance - this is from the Gloucestershire v Hunslet match a few weeks ago. Wonder what Hunslet are doing this weekend.


Touch Judge: David Butler
Has been touch judge for several Oxford games, the last being the South Wales game last month. Was one of the first group of match officials appointed by the RLEF, and got to referee Serbia v Italy in Belgrade. I think he’s on the right in the front row:


Touch Judge: Brad Darlison (Castleford and Featherstone)
The RFL spell his surname Darlinson, but I’ve gone with what his social media accounts say. Second Oxford game after the South Wales game last month. Played for the all-conquering Castleford Academy schools teams.

Reserve referee: Brad Milligan (Cumbria)
First known Oxford game. Former amateur player turned official. This is him with the ball for Distington.


Peter Gilmour (West Cumbria)
Former referee and based in Workington.