Coventry Bears v Oxford RLFC
Referee: Michael Mannifield (Dewsbury and Batley)
This is the first time he has refereed Oxford, but we have seen him before as a touch judge. He did the 2015 Iffley Road victory over Gloucestershire All Golds, and since then has clearly got a promotion. Was a referee on the BARLA U23 Tour of Jamaica in both 2014 and 2016, and I suspect he had to fight off some pretty stiff competition to get those trips. But in this photo it’s raining, so it could well be in Cumbria:
Touch Judge: Arron Gill (Huddersfield)
Second Oxford game. The first was the League 1 Cup victory over Coventry earlier this season. Was a touch judge in last year’s BARLA cup final. Is also reserve referee for Leeds v Widnes on Easter Monday.
Touch Judge: Liam Rush (Dewsbury and Batley)
Second Oxford game, the first being as reserve referee for the last ever Iffley Road game, against South Wales in March 2016.
Played junior rugby league for Shaw Cross and Batley Boys before switching to refereeing in 2012. In 2014 was both the joint Yorkshire Junior Referee of the Year and is the Junior Referee of the Year in the Dewsbury and Batley society. Has officiated at the schools final at Wembley at least twice.
Reserve Referee: Alex Cameron (Bradford)
First Oxford game. Refereed at the Yorkshire Schools Finals one year ago. There is an edited version of this photograph around, but I thought you would appreciate the full one:
Match Commissioner: Keith Leyland (Wigan)
Holds the distinction (shortly to be lost, probably) of being the only match commissioner for an overseas Oxford game - the last time he had this role for Oxford was for the trip to Toulouse last season. And he obviously kept the passport because his next job after Coventry will be for the Catalans v Salford game in Perpignan on Monday. Was also match commissioner at the 2013 Challenge Cup final and during the 2013 World Cup. Won the 2015 Chairman's Award for the Wigan Referees' Society. As you can see, they don't go for small trophies in Wigan. The guy in the background must have talked out of turn at some point...
