The RFL match officials claimed touch rugby bragging rights after defeating the Chairman’s Select XIII 24-18 on Tuesday night.
Over £500 was raised for the RFL Benevolent Fund.
Jamie Bloem starred for the officials with a try and four goals on a night when more than £500 was raised for the RFL Benevolent Fund thanks to the participants and the crowd in attendance at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.
The match officials squad included Super League referee’s Richard Silverwood, Ben Thaler, Tim Roby, Robert Hicks and Phil Bentham, and they raced into an 18-0 lead.
Trinity head coach James Webster laid on the second of back-to-back scores after carving through the defensive line to bring the scores to 18-12 before Ryan Hudson created the third try after darting out from dummy half and with all three tries converted by Francis Maloney, it set up a tense final quarter with the scores locked at 18-18.
It was the match officials superior fitness that saw them home, claiming the decisive score five minutes from time to seal a 24-18 success.
Wakefield Trust community officer, James Stephenson, organised the night and commented: “It was a fun night and we raised a good amount of money for the RFL Benevolent Fund which is fantastic.
“If we’d have had a video referee then the last try may very well have been disallowed for obstruction but it wasn’t to be and credit to the match officials, they were great sports despite being on the end of a few late hits and hopefully we can turn this into an annual event.”
Keep an eye out on Super League TV for more on the touch rugby challenge later this week.
Squads
Chairman’s Select XIII: Ross Hayden, Nigel Waite, James Stephenson, Michael Carter, Steve Crawshaw, Francis Maloney, James Webster, Kelvin Fletcher, Ryan Hudson, Leigh Riddell, Mick Amos, Matt Richards, Davide Longo, Mark Webster, Ian Jowitt, James Wilson, Martin Crowther, Lee Whittaker, Andrew Turton, Juz Fisher.
RFL Referee’s: Sam Ansell, Robert Hicks, Ian Smith, Phil Bentham, Ben Thaler, Richard Silverwood, Chris Kendall, Matt Thomason, Tim Roby, Chris Leatherbarrow, Warren Turley, Dave Merrick, Jamie Bloem, Adam Gill, John McMullen, Chris Campbell, Scott Mikalauskas.
Referee: Tony Martin.
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