I prefer to go by my own opinion from watching him. Every time I've seen him on Sky refereeing the Championship, he's done a very good job.

I agree mate, he did have some good Championship games last season, the game between York and Oldham, the Doncaster v Halifax game, the Widnes v Whitehaven game etc to name a few.

But take away the sky cameras and he just doesn't seem as good, his father never Bradford Northern any favours either I may add.

Was it Hicks that refereed us at Castleford on Boxing Day? I think it was, and I was less than impressed there. I tend to try and discount games involving Bradford though, as there's a natural bias that can make you see things differently.

I'm not saying he is a top quality referee, you may be spot on with what you say about when the cameras haven't been there. But I prefer to go on what I have seen, and I've been impressed more often than not.

I did also forget to mention Jamie Leahy who I've seen have quite a few very very good games. He would have been above Child in my pecking order too.

Yes mate Robert Hicks did the Csatleford game which had a penalty count of 23 (we'll let him off that seeing as it's the pre-season).

I agree with you the pecking order bit, as for me there is Gareth Hewer & Jamie Leahy in front of Child by miles.

In saying that Steve Ganson started officiating at Child age of 26, and I'll never forget the first time we had Ganson, way back in 1997 for the Wednesday night Oldham game (we we're up 40-10 and Ganson then turned on us and eneded limping something like 42-28 at the hooter), so it could work out for Mr Child but I have serious reservations regarding his ability to cut at the top.

Time will tell I guess.

I was fairly sure that Laughton is armed response in the Police.

Yep, you're right. Just looked it up and he is a copper.

Which one was the teacher then? I know one of em was! (Leahy is a teacher, but I'm sure it isn't him I had in mind)

I think I'm gonna stop posting in this thread as that's the second time I've talked utter b0llocks

You thinking of Cummings?

I don't know anymore, I'm all confused. Must be getting old. I think I'm just gonna go and sit down.... Oh hang on, I'm already sitting. Make that lie down.

Mr Alibert today made some puzzling calls, including Leeds kicking the ball over the in goal and Alibert awarding a 20m restart ????

I must admit, that particular call had me completely confused. The Leeds player CLEARLY kicked the ball before it went over the line (not far from me at all) so I have no idea how he didn't give a drop out.

It happend to the left of us and like you say, the Leeds player clearly did force the drop out but Alibert said 20m tap.

Very puzzling

Yes, that was particularly baffling. It was right in front of me. It was clearly kicked over.

Alibert made up for that shocker by waving play on shortly after we knocked on and then re-collected from what appeared to be an offside position from a Leeds grubber.

All in, I think Alibert's performance was about what was expected. Both sides had to put up with him, although I do hope we don't get lumbered with him in some of the higher paced and more important games as the season progresses.

This is very true. When even the fans of the team the decision has gone FOR are puzzled by it, it's usually an indication that it wasn't quite right. In that case, nobody could get where he got "play on" from what seemed like a clear knock-on.

Anyway. I didn't think he was THAT bad, aside from the 2 slightly bizarre decisions, but they evened out.

Dewsbury Rams v Bradford Bulls

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)

Hull Kingston Rovers v Bradford Bulls

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield)