My view as a Cas fan is he was inept. His pedantic yet inconsistent application of the rules was ridiculous and was the main contributory factor to 2 teams becoming very frustrated.
The writing was on the wall after 10 minutes. He had sin binned someone, according to new rules, for a tackle that would normally just warrant a penalty. He penalised you guys for blocking on a kick return. This happens in every game of rugby league and goes unpunished. There was another incident if I was a Hull fan I would have been furious about I can't remember but it was again an inconsistent application of a rule very other referee ignores. We went 6-0 up then you controlled the game for 20 minutes. He levelled the penalty count on our line and warned Orr. You scored luckily or we would have definitely been down to 12. I would have been happy at 6-4 after how dominant you were in the first half and knowing child wasn't going to have to level the penalty count in the second half. We got some pressure and we were all happy to go in ahead still with 13 men.
The second half started badly as you got on top again and went ahead. We controlled the game from then on and did get penalties and at 20-12 with 20 to go you guys had to start chasing the game. We kept you in your end and defended well. You got back into it with a soft try and probably should have scored again in the 3 sets on our line before long walked. After that we just scrambled and were grateful to hold on.
As well as the first 10 minutes and the blatant levelling of the penalty count there were 4 other key incidents from what I saw.
1. In the first half Brett Ferres was warned after a head shot then the very next tackle he was bounced off the tackle and went swinging from behind the ball carrier. Only the fact the referee saw Isa as the culprit and warned him too kept Ferres on the field in my opinion. I was sure he was going to walk and I'm sure he will be in front of the disciplinary.
2. The fight in the second half in back play. This was dealt with by way of 2 yellows and a penalty to FC. I didn't see how it started as I was watching the play but did see it end. I'm pretty sure none of the officials or your fans did too as Long would have seen red. It was 3 on 1 and Aspinwall was helpless. I'm sure he will be banned for this too if they have the footage of it.
3. The long supposed head shot. I didn't see it but I think normally players reactions tell the story. From the reaction I guess Long was on the end of a bad one but it has to be remembered he was ducking ready to dive for the line. I'm guessing this should of been a penalty but it is never any more than that because Long was ducking. As I say I just saw him flattened and was happy tbh. He shouldn't have been on the pitch.
4. The red card. Correct decision - He will get a hefty ban as the punishment on the night was insignificant with 4 minutes to go. With the other incident I can't see him being available for a while.
I would expect Long to be the only man to receive a ban although Ferres' stupidity could have cost us the game. He needs a lesson so I wouldn't mind him missing a match
I think everyone agrees the guy worthy of the biggest suspension is James Child
Saturday 16th April
Salford City Reds v Bradford Bulls 4.45pm (SKY)
Ref J Child TJ R Cowling TJ T Martin RR D Sharpe VR T Alibert TK I Ollerton MC G Kershaw
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