Judgement day approaching

EXPERIENCED local official Tony Martin is gearing up to officiate in the Rugby League World Cup.

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RUGBY:

OLDHAM officials Robert Hicks and Tony Martin have been selected to join the strong contingent of match officials from England in this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

Hicks goes straight into action for England’s eagerly-anticipated opening pool meeting against favourites Australia at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday.

He said: “It is the pinnacle of my career and I’m very excited, not only about the game but also the tournament, which is going to be terrific.

“The atmosphere will be great this weekend, but once that whistle goes I have to make sure that I overcome the occasion as I have a job to do.”

Hicks (32) has been a regular on the Super League circuit for several seasons and has officiated in matches involving Great Britain, New Zealand, England, France and Wales. He is also running the line for the games between New Zealand and France (November 1), New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (November 8) and France v Samoa (November 11).

Touch judge Martin begins his World Cup campaign on Monday at Spotland, where Ireland take on Fiji.

He then heads south to Bristol for the USA versus Cook Islands fixture on Wednesday, before travelling Workington for Scotland’s game against Samoa (November 3).

Before the international date, Martin has more grassroots matters to deal with: he’s the man in the middle for a Pennine League match on Saturday and an Oldham St Anne’s under-15s game on Sunday!

Martin, from Grasscroft, said: “I try to do as many as I can and I enjoy everything about them.

“As for the World Cup, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Martin (58) has worked at the highest level: in one period he ran the line at the Super League Grand Final and the World Cup final, both at Old Trafford, and the World Club Championship between St Helens and Brisbane Broncos at the Reebok Stadium.