Phil Bentham


Phil Bentham is an ex English professional rugby league Referee, & video referee. He was one of the Rugby Football League's full-time match officials since its inception in 2007. He now coaches Super League officials. Referee in 7 major finals and Video Referee in 9 major finals.

Background

Bentham was born in Leigh, Lancashire, England.

First games

Bentham's first pro game was Sheffield Eagles V London Skolars on 22 February 2004. His first Super League game was Wakefield Trinity V Hull F.C. on 11 September 2005.

Major Finals

He was referee in the 2011 and 2014 Old Trafford Super League Grand Finals and Video Referee in 2009, 2012, 2015 & 2017 finals.
He was the referee in the 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017 Wembley Challenge Cup Finals and touch judge in 2005 Challenge Cup Final.
He was the video referee in the Challenge Cup Final in 2007, 2009, and 2012. Referee in the 2014 Four Nations Final in Wellington

International

On 4 May 2012, Bentham was refereeing the Super League clash between Wigan and Hull Kingston Rovers at the DW Stadium live on Sky Sports, when he collided during an off-the-ball incident with Rovers' Shannon McDonnell after 17 minutes, and suffered a fractured tibia. He was given oxygen while being carried off on a stretcher whilst being applauded from the crowds and was taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan; touch judge Robert Hicks took over as referee, and Andrew Smith the reserve official took Hicks' place on the line. Wigan went on to win 36–22. Bentham returned to full on-field duties at the start of 2013 Super League Season.
On 16 May 2015, Bentham was refereeing Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants at Headingley Carnegie Stadium live on BBC when he did not return after the half time interval due to a hamstring injury. Touch Judge Jonathan Roberts replaced Bentham in the middle as he was the most senior referee having experience in the Championship & League 1 competitions. Reserve Official Phil Graham took Roberts' place on the line. Leeds went on to win 48–16.
On 16 February 2018, Bentham was refereeing Widnes Vikings v Warrington Wolves at the Halton Stadium live on Sky Sports when Chris Houston collided with him causing him to hit the ground heavily, landing on his back and the 'ref cam' equipment. Bentham had to leave the field due to his injuries. Touch judge Scott Mikalauskas took over as referee and Marcus Griffiths the Reserve Official took Mikalauskas' place on the line. Mikalauskas placed the collision between Bentham and Houston on report and Houston was subsequently banned for 2 matches. In the same fixture in 2017, also televised on Sky Sports, Bentham was the referee and Houston knocked him over in that fixture but was found not guilty by an Independent Rules Tribunal. Bentham has not refereed since this incident and it is doubtful he will return to the field due to slipping a disc in his neck.