On Thursday, Sam had a try wiped out for offside. This was in the first half, when the score was 0-6.

The ball was kicked forward by one of our players, and Sam was clearly a yard or so in front of the kicker. However, the ball was played at by one of the Featherstone players.

Why did that not put Sam back onside. No-one on Premier Sports mentioned it (including the video ref), and I'm curious to what the ruling is? I'm maybe thinking it's because Sam was less than 10m from the Featherstone player (he was about 1m away!), but is it that, or am I missing something? The video ref was only interested in whether Sam was in front of the kicker, and nothing else?

Its cause Sam was within 10m from the fev player when they made contact with the ball. One of the only occasions when Smith hasn't fully explained his decision.

Thanks! I've been getting used to having very clear reasons being given when watching PS, even down to where he's having to give some benefit of the doubt.

I couldn't understand why that try from Ben Black's kick in the Blackpool final last year was disallowed. Anyone?

I think is was for the same reason.
The slight difference was that Ben did run on in front of the other Fax players which would have appeared to put them all onside.
The video ref ruled that allthough Blacky had run past his teammates one of them was encroaching the 10 meters and possibly contributed to the Leigh player dropping the ball before Blacky had run past.
When the ball came free this same player then became directly involved in play in the passing the ball movement leading up to the try and was ruled offside.

I hope the Eagles still have their highlights on the net, as I did think (without the benefit of a slow motion replay!) that Sheffield's first try tonight should have been chalked off for the very same reason. Anyone got any views on this?

So did I mate, was amazed when the try was given.

Was certain Menzie had scored later in the half though when he was called short, and speaking to the players they all though so too, so I suppose it's swings and roundabouts!

Highlights should be on some time next week.

Thanks, and was somewhat relieved/surprised around that call as well. We are all a fair way from the action at Don Valley though to be able to have a really valid opinion!

Didn't have time to eat before heading south for the game - we (my lad and I) had some food with us, but were too gutted with our display in the first half feel like food, and too much on the edge of our seats in the second! The decision to take the 2 points to level the score was (IMO) the decider in the end.

Yep wasn't sure about that call at the time but proved pivotal, as did our missed penalty goal earlier in the game.

Looked well offside at the kick and from Laughtons reaction he had a feeling it was as well but his touchies said not.

It did look offside from were I was sat but with the rest of you we were on the other side of the ground.
At the time the only way to have been sure would have been to have had a good old video ref.

This opens up a side point that is not new but again raises the question that the game is being officiated by 2 sets of rules.

I for televised games and 1 for those not on the box which is of course the use of the video ref.
I wonder how many games would have a competley differenent score line if he had or had not been there, quite a few I guess.

Anyway just a thought.