Richard Silverwood reflects on awful treatment at his 400th game between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR

Friday night marked a massive landmark for one Super League veteran.

No this wasn’t a player but instead official Rob Hicks. As he ran the line during Wigan’s 60-0 win over Hull FC, Hicks was making his 300th appearance as an official in Super League.

Referees are often given stick by supporters, coaches and players largely due to how much this game means to people but yesterday people came together to thank this official for his role in Super League after all without referees we can’t have a game at all.

Both Wigan and Hull celebrated the occasion with Hicks with a special memento given to him presented by Wigan skipper Thomas Leuluai.

After the game Hicks took to Twitter to express his gratitude saying: “Well that’s #300 done and dusted. Would just like to thank both to Wigan Warriors and to Hull FC for the way they marked the milestone. I’m truly humbled. Thank you.”

Well that's #300 done and dusted. Would just like to thank both @WiganWarriorsRL and @hullfcofficial for the way they marked the milestone. I'm truly humbled. Thank you #respect #greatestgame pic.twitter.com/0J57E7qxNE

— Rob Hicks (@Rob_hicks81) July 15, 2022

However, one former official revealed that he didn’t have such a nice experience on a landmark appearance.

The official in question was Richard Silverwood who revealed he had a pint thrown at him at his 400th game between Leeds and Hull KR commenting on Hicks’ post on Twitter: “Nice touch. How times have changed. Think I got a pint thrown at me for my 400th game Leeds v Hull KR.”

Nice touch. How times have changed. Think I got a pint thrown at me for my 400th game Leeds v Hull KR

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) July 16, 2022

It’s a shame to hear that such a brilliant referee who officiated many high profile games like Grand Finals, Challenge Cup Finals and internationals had to experience that on a landmark day. Fortunately, as Silverwood himself said, times have changed.