WOODTHORPE 'HONOURED' TO REACH PREMIERSHIP RUGBY MILESTONE

Anthony Woodthorpe said he was honoured to be part of a ‘special team’ after celebrating 100 appearances as an Assistant Referee in the Gallagher Premiership.
Woodthorpe - who assisted Matt Carley for his first game between Bristol Bears and Harlequins in February 2017 - celebrated the milestone in today’s top of the table encounter between Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears at Sandy Park.
Just two days after refereeing the league clash between Sale Sharks and Gloucester Rugby, Woodthorpe was again on duty, assisting Hamish Smales for the much anticipated West Country derby that concluded the action in Round Four.
Following Exeter’s 29-20 win, which lifted the Chiefs to the top of the Premiership table, Woodthorpe was presented with a bottle of champagne by Exeter Rugby Club Chief Executive, Tony Rowe OBE, and Nigel Melville, Chairman of the Premiership Rugby Investor Board.
“I’m honoured to be part of what is a very special team of officials,” said Woodthorpe. “Working alongside people who are at the very top of their game, several of whom have just come back from the Rugby World Cup, is a great privilege.
“I can still remember my first game running the line at Bristol [against Harlequins] and my first game as a ref, which was Wasps against Bath. I’ve had lots of memories over the years and, hopefully, I’ll have a lot more to come.”