If anyone wanted to see the argument against home town official appointments they could do worse than watch Boots 'N All from last night.

It appeared from the Paul Cullen review that St Helens were in receipt of a Steve Ganson special at a critical part of the game with Harlequins four points behind, a decision that appeared to lead to Keiron Cunningham making the game safe.

Thank f[ioo[/ik that didn't happen at a live Sky game but well done to Cullen for highlighting it.

Mick Gledhill would be having kittens if he didn't have other things on his mind.

I was there and I did think it was abit harsh at the time. I'm sure there is no bias there, but you leave yourself open to claims, which you shouldn't have to.

I'm glad you were there to offer an opinion as obviously it's difficult to assess just from the TV when you are looking at the incident in isolation.

However, Harlequins were in possession and attacking around the St Helens twenty. The Quins ball carrier was slowed down in the tackle and Wilkin(?) interfered with the play the ball causing the Quins winger (O'Callaghan) to lose possession.

What followed was all too typical Steve Ganson, it's as if he's never played the game (I have no idea if he has or not) but he has no empathy with the players at times.

Instead of a penalty justly awarded to the Quins it goes to St Helens in a jaw dropping turnaround of the games fortunes at that point.

I know it's typical Ganson anyway but at St Helens it just looks wrong to me.

We had a shocker with Thaler against Wakey last year, he awarded a penalty try to obst when Usain Bolt wouldn't have got there, a lot of the fans had pictures of I'anson catching the ball as obst was pulled back, IMO should have been a yellow and a penalty, we lost by 4.

I remember that one well but it was worse than that you lost by two. I think it probably had a bearing on Morgan's outburst against the same official after KR's Huddersfield game this season.

That was the first time Thaler got to referee his hometown team (should have been his last) but in fairness to him he has since controlled another four Wakefield matches and they have lost the lot.

Either way I preferred it when it wasn't a point up for debate.

Well said. To me it shows we have a lack of good officials in the game, so Ganson has to ref saints games. It's unfair on Ganson and it's unfair on the teams.

Why does Ganson have to referee St Helens again?

He didn't have to before 2008 and I don't recall St Helens complaining about any games where a referee was not appointed.

I think the problem was when it came to finals, as Saints are in most of them these days and it stopped arguably the top ref in this country (which unfortunately he is) being able to control the top games

Ganson never has been and never will be the top official in the game but that unfortunately is only my opinion.

A good referee (never mind the best) would not end up being the centre of attention after a game in the way he regularly is.

100% Behind you on this tvoc.
Ganson loves the limelight and likes to be the panto villain!!

That said , I thought he had an excellent game when in charge for the Quins home game this season , although that wont suit some peoples opinion of him .

as someone who refs his home town teams on a regular basis i feel it should not happen. the pressure on you is far worse than in a game where you are a 'neutral'.

the reason ganson pushed for the change is he wanted to ref at wembley and saints are always there!
in no way do i think ganson,or any ref, is a cheat. but this leaves them wide open to accusations and it should be stopped now

I don't think he's really a cheat per say but very one-eyed where stains are concerned.
Add to the fact the c#*t thinks the game is all about him and his usual huge blunders and i think we should have someone controlling the refs who makes sure they are more accountable.
Cummings isn't fit for purpose imo.

no,cummings is useless. i have come across big ego's before, try running the line for jeff winter or david ellery,ellery is a real big time charlie trust me.however ganson is usually pretty good, esp in the big games when all eyes are on him. FWIW i thought terry halibut was excellant the other night

Better than wanting to be the end of a cow, panto dame or even buttons

I have to say G imo he USED to be!!
Maybe i'm being over critical mate but i just think he makes too many howlers that lead to scores or a momentum shift within a match.
I do think "uncle alibert" is improving i just wish they all would!

Like someone above said it's jsut as bad for the official as he knows he will be in the a bais bashing by the fans if he gives anything towards his hometown. Perhaps as someone said about Russell Smith on other thread we will begin to see more levelling up in penalty counts in games involving refs from their respective towns/cities. Any idea tvoc?

I think it's a case of him being the least worst

Winter and Ellery, did you keep losing bets or something?

You ever lined for Dermot whatisname? He seems quite a nice guy when he's on TV etc.

Russell just used to reserve HIS favours for the general direction of his ex-employers ....

Is it any coincidence that might be one of the reasons they're heading down the pan these days ?