Standing square at the play of the ball, we were punished several times for that. They were not square regularly throughout the game. Not punished once.

Did they get involved? If they don't it's not a penalty. Did they effect play? If not then it's not a penalty! In the flow of the game would a penalty be beneficial to the ttacking team? If an attacking team has a roll on sometimes a penalty actually benefits the defending team it slows the play down and allows the defence to re set. Sometimes defending teams will try and give a penalty away for that purpose.
Sometimes allowing play on us more beneficial, pitch position, tackle count will all effect the decision on when to blow or let the momentum continue

The great thing about the good wins over Easter, regardless of reffing problems, is that all 4 of the academy boys picked have got on the scoresheet. That in itself is a major positive.

Excellent point- if we're going to rebuild and seriously challenge for promotion we're going to need a core of local lads making the grade.

Reffing aside - and trust me one day the blatant bias will bite us on the backside.

The major plus points from Batley:

One team ethos

Combinations of old on fire - the three quarters spot on in terms of understanding and attacking potency. Class of 2016 plus Pitts, Evans and Foster

Regardless of the reasons, for 15 mins in first half, Batley down the slope we defended our line - speaks for itself.

Half backs well suited and well matched, game management, kicking game, organisation first class.

Forwards with drive and purpose, win the collision - at times it was like men and boys.

Cunno was great, and Foster who Hendo says is with us for a good while, dynamic and complimentary.

Jarrod and Matty on the field pre game full on, not playing but I watched, focused, committed and involved.

Academy boys goes without saying.

We were winning easy but there was an ease and vibe about the players, smiles on faces.

Sounds good plummy, thing is if they are enjoying the game then things are clicking, good to hear, it's about time isn't it?

Good to see family & friends of the youngsters there to see their moments of personal glory.

Presumably we're also advantaged by the other team being able to set their defensive line closer to the play the ball than us

Andover boy, are you suggesting that the ref gave a shorter 10 mtrs to us than them? If so why? Both teams get the same 10 mtrs

Virtually every rugby league fan in the country is convinced the referees always let the opposition get away with off side and are always harsh on there own team.
Best ones are the fans behind the sticks, it would not be rugby league without the age old "gerrem onside ref"

Mick.... Are you a Ref or related to one in any way??

Jossy like every fan of any rugby club I have been refereeing games from the stands since I was 4 years old.
Don't get me wrong I am a committed London broncos fan and have been for ages so yes I watch games through the broncos sunglasses and everyone is against us especially when we lose, and I shout for off side just like everyone else, understanding the offside rule helps though!
But answering the question, yep I am a qualified and experienced community level ref, and an RFL refs tutor. I am lucky enough to get to interact at times with the Refs from elite level down.
Trust me they call what they see, they don't give preference to one team over another, they would prefer to never have to blow the whistle in a game apart from re starts and scoring.
Every game is reviewed, if they are penalising too much it's looked at to try and see why, is it just the teams or is it the ref not managing the game or being out of position? Positioning fitness communication even the tone of the whistle is reviewed.
If a ref is giving a short or long 10 one way it's highlighted. And they self review as well as independent.
So when they get it wrong, they know about it.

And we tell em of course. I just have to do it quieter than most

Fair play to you mate

The referee shouldn't have to coach the players into obeying the rules, but they do. The best ( or worst) example was during the last RU WC, when Japan were talked through the 80 minutes by the referee in an attempt to keep the penalty count down.

As for the crowd calling for offside when there are two white lines between opposing players

Ah but the question is red, if a defending player is stood 8mtrs and in an offside position, is it a penalty?
If he does not affect play or get involved in the play its play on. Players can actually stand where they want on the field as long as they are not affecting play.

Loved the hand off by Bienek, it is a lost art but he has it off to a tee. Great prospect

Just as a follow up point, I remember a few years ago the club got into a tizz with the RFL over the discrepancies in penalties given for and against us. Phil Clarke on Sky got involved, as it's the kind of data thing he likes, and he reckoned London and Catalans were consistently awarded less penalties than their opponents, week after week, season after season. I remember him saying the club had shown the RFL evidence to back up this claim, and they'd admitted it was factually correct, but couldn't explain why it was happening and weren't interested in investigating it.

Just wondering if you'd heard about it at the time, or had any gossip on it. Or even an opinion.

I do remember that discussion. I didn't hear anything at the time,

Phil Clarke only proved statistically, what we as fans already knew. Whats more it continues to this day.

Of course it does, Phil Clark showed we give away more penalties and are not sharp enough to earn the penalties for us

once a ref always a ref - and you say fans are biased against the ref.

i never said fans are biased against the refs, fact is though as a fan we and yes I include myself because I am a fan as well, but as a fan you will spot every infringement that the opposition make, but will constantly choose to ignore the infringements the team yr supporting make.
How often do you call yr own team offside? How often are yr own team not square?
Reality is refs have no interest in who wins, and all they try and do from community up to elite is be consistent, as a fan it's difficult to see that, watch a neutral game instead.
Offside not square are penalties you generally earn through dominating the ruck in attack, we have not been very good at that for several seasons hence very few penalties

From memory it wasn't that we (and Catalans) gave away more penalties than other teams, but rather were awarded less penalties. And it wasn't a one off, either.

So to earn the penalties you have to dominate the ruck going foreword, we never did, we hardly ever earned them.