13 replies to this topic

[Pugwash]

Gateshead 14 v 48 Hornets.

As expected Hornets had a comfortable win even though Thunder did provide some stern resistance at times.

The main talking point concerned referee Ronnie Laughton and I sincerely hope the board report the idiot for something that happened with 7 minutes left on the clock.
,
The result was not in question and there was no chance of a Bonus Point when Wayne English dived on a loose ball followed closely by a couple of Thunder players. As the ruck cleared Wayne was laid out and rather petulantly the ref indicated he should get up and play on. It became obvious that Wayne was hurt but rather than go and ascertain the seriousness of the injury the ref indicated that another player should get the ball off him and leave him to be sorted out as the game continued. When this didn't happen he actually went over to Wayne, took the ball from his arm and insisted that play continue.

He then called Paul Crook over as the player showed concern for his team-mate and he appearded to suggest that it was blatant time-wasting, he even appeared to suggest he was willing to use a card if the game was not immediately re-started.

Eventually as more medical staff arrived on the scene and it was decided that a stretcher was required and Ronnie Laughton stayed in his position in the Thunder defence showing not one jot of concern for the health of the player.

Everyone knows that rugby players don't go off on a stretcher unless they are injured badly and Ronnie Laughton should be carpeted for this.

Well done lads, bring on Oldham.

Pugwash.

[Anita Bath]

Transfer him to the round ball game where his sceptism might be more appropriate.


Has the RFL decided on the play off format yet or are they contemplating changing the points system to get the play off match ups thay want?

[Pedro]

Missed the game but a good win.

Nothing Ronnie Laughton does surprises me. For many years he has been below standard but the RFL don't seem concerned. If Wayne were a super league player then the RFL might take notice but they couldn't care less about the lower leagues. I remember Gary Hulse was knocked unconscious in a match against Batley but the ref insisted that play continued around him. I don't think anything happened to that ref. The welfare of players should be of paramount importance.

Edited by Pedro, 08 August 2011 - 09:01 AM.

[Pugwash]

Transfer him to the round ball game where his sceptism might be more appropriate.


Has the RFL decided on the play off format yet or are they contemplating changing the points system to get the play off match ups thay want?

Well Anita, if they have - they haven't told anybody! We are all still waiting for their latest off-the-cuff idea to be made public. However there was a mention that they may Fast-Track Mars into Super League - there should be more atmosphere there than at a Crusaders match anyway!?!?!?!?

Pugwash.

[BUZZYBEE]

Laughton was appalling he had no regard for the man down he snatched the ball out of the injured
mans hands gave to the Gateshead lad who looked at the lad on floor then the ref Laughton then turned on Paul Crook who protested
went to get a card out of his pocket for showing concern for his teammate !!!!!!!
Had to stop game only because physio ran on pitch
And please Don't just leave to the Board write your letters to R.L.F Red Hall(recorded delivery )
because if we the fans don't back the team, Coach and the Board
this idiot will be allowed to continue to ref games
he not only gives the game a bad name but makes good honest refs look a laughing stock
This man needs to be removed from the game asap
Lucky for him Wayne came to the colours in the dresing room
And he was BAD for both sides today inconsistent and very poor and most of all
Had no RESPECT for any one of them lads on the pitch
Go Laughton the game of Rugby don't need the likes of you

That ref Pedro was Leahy

Edited by BUZZYBEE, 07 August 2011 - 09:58 PM.

[Pugwash]

You might as well save your time Wendy, the RFL aren't interested in what you or I think or say, I've emailed before and not one answer have I had.

It's interesting to note though that in the 78th minute of the Castleford v Leeds semi-final Rangi Chase was injured in very similar circumstances to Wayne and Mr. Bentham immediately stopped the clock and alled on the help from the bench.

Either referee Bentham or referee Laughton is an idiot who deserves never to referee another game in his entire life, I know where my money is going!!!

Send the DVD to the RFL with the strongest possible complaint and insist on a hearing to see whether Laughton is guilty of poor officiating. A player would be taken to task, why not an official?

Pugwash.

[glemiln]

Contrast what happened at Gateshead and Twickers....

Stoddart injury (broken leg) cast a shadow over proceedings at Twickenham, where England won 23-19, but the Wales players were quick to pay tribute to Danny Care for immediately drawing referee Steve Walsh’s attention to the gravity of the situation and stopping play.

Jamie Roberts, Wales, also involved in the pile up of bodies after Delon Armitage had made the initial tackle on Stoddart, tweeted: “Great sportsmanship from Danny Care, great to see.”

Care himself played down his actions. “Anybody would have stopped the play. It’s such a sad way to get injured but that’s the sport we are in,” he said.


Surely, it is a dereliction of duty for a ref to disregard the possibility of serious injury...and not least basic common sense? Trust the player is ok for our run in and the playoffs.
The Oldham game should be a cracker....hope more of the town get through the turnstiles.

[Mad Mal the Mauler]

You might as well save your time Wendy, the RFL aren't interested in what you or I think or say, I've emailed before and not one answer have I had.

It's interesting to note though that in the 78th minute of the Castleford v Leeds semi-final Rangi Chase was injured in very similar circumstances to Wayne and Mr. Bentham immediately stopped the clock and alled on the help from the bench.

Either referee Bentham or referee Laughton is an idiot who deserves never to referee another game in his entire life, I know where my money is going!!!

Send the DVD to the RFL with the strongest possible complaint and insist on a hearing to see whether Laughton is guilty of poor officiating. A player would be taken to task, why not an official?

Pugwash.

Ian Smith reviews all C1 games, but it's like when there's an indiscretion with a police officer another force investigates, but it's still one of their own! Same with officials in the RFL as they are all in the same clique. In my view there should be a totally independant review board who have the power to suspend or even remove officials from the roster!
Then again isn't Mr Laughton a copper, perhaps the Police Complaints Commision could takea look at his performances?

Edited by Mad Mal the Mauler, 08 August 2011 - 11:16 AM.

[Bryce]

The RFL really do need to get rid of him, they must have had alot of official complaints from fans and players alike. I know alot of Swinton fans actually wrote to the RFL after each of the Donny games we had (that's nothing against Donny, it just happened that Laughton was in charge on both occasions). When you're receiveing complaints from the winning side, there is something definitely amiss and this looks like a similar scenario.

He's been reffing at this level for years and he must know who Wayne Enlgish is and exactly how he plays the game, he and probably all RL players in CC1 would not stay down, seemingly for a laugh or to gain an unfair advantage!!!

If he's putting players health at risk, he needs to have a serious chat with himself and hopefully decide to step down.

Everyone makes mistakes, we can handle that, but with this guy it's becoming every week, get rid NOW.

Wayne is a gent and an honourary Swintonion, we wish him all the best and hope he's okay for the run in and beyond.

[RunItOffAfi]

This just about sums up the RFL, because, unbelievably, Laughton is actually well rated by them as a referee! In my opinion, he's the worst referee in the game, by a mile, and has been for a long while. I suspect, but don't know for certain, that he's liked because he doesn't shirk the hard decisions and consults his touch judges. The first one may be correct, but the RFL obviously don't realise that he only consults his touch judges cos he hasn't a clue what's going on!

[ashbourneknight]

Gateshead 14 v 48 Hornets.

As expected Hornets had a comfortable win even though Thunder did provide some stern resistance at times.

The main talking point concerned referee Ronnie Laughton and I sincerely hope the board report the idiot for something that happened with 7 minutes left on the clock.
,
The result was not in question and there was no chance of a Bonus Point when Wayne English dived on a loose ball followed closely by a couple of Thunder players. As the ruck cleared Wayne was laid out and rather petulantly the ref indicated he should get up and play on. It became obvious that Wayne was hurt but rather than go and ascertain the seriousness of the injury the ref indicated that another player should get the ball off him and leave him to be sorted out as the game continued. When this didn't happen he actually went over to Wayne, took the ball from his arm and insisted that play continue.

He then called Paul Crook over as the player showed concern for his team-mate and he appearded to suggest that it was blatant time-wasting, he even appeared to suggest he was willing to use a card if the game was not immediately re-started.

Eventually as more medical staff arrived on the scene and it was decided that a stretcher was required and Ronnie Laughton stayed in his position in the Thunder defence showing not one jot of concern for the health of the player.

Everyone knows that rugby players don't go off on a stretcher unless they are injured badly and Ronnie Laughton should be carpeted for this.

Well done lads, bring on Oldham.

Pugwash.

Just looking at your thread on a certain R Laughton he is a law unto himself,York Knights 5games 5losses when he's been in middle,one time he blatantly missed a off the ball incident which resulted in a broken jaw, this ref needs to be removed once and forall.

[Anita Bath]

Ian Smith reviews all C1 games, but it's like when there's an indiscretion with a police officer another force investigates, but it's still one of their own! Same with officials in the RFL as they are all in the same clique. In my view there should be a totally independant review board who have the power to suspend or even remove officials from the roster!
Then again isn't Mr Laughton a copper, perhaps the Police Complaints Commision could takea look at his performances?

If he is a boy in blue no doubt he is busy taking moiney from Murdoch and his pals in his day job.

The only language the RFL know is the language of writs, they will not start to deal with this incompetence until a player/club decides to sue them. I was always led to believe that it was the referees's duty to look after the well being of all of the players on the field. The palyers are professional, this is their occupation, its an occupational health matter.

[Mad Mal the Mauler]

A referee's primary duty is the protection and welfare of the players under his/her control at all times. Failure in this role should result in that official being brought to book by the RFL.
I have advocated for a long while now that all officials should be critiqued on their performance in EVERY game and those results should be published in the RL press, possibly a 1 to 10 points system where consistantly low performances whould result in either suspension (as they do in the NRL) or in extreme circumstances sacking!
So many fans from so many different clubs cannot be wrong about Mr Laughton and Ian Smith and the RFL should take note before something tragic occurs!

[DiddyDave]

Well said Mal,unfortunately the RFL has something of a siege mentality and that`s why nothing is ever done about the officials who are constantly being pointed out as hopeless. That,and the fact that potential whistle blowers are probably as scarce as hens` teeth,they don`t want sackings or forced resignations. Refereeing is a lot more than knowing the law/rule book,a lot of common sense is required and quite a bit of psychology these days depending on what sport it is that you`re officiating. Somebody has to do it,but they have to be competent,or the whole thing turns into a farce. But as I`ve said before,maybe they just don`t care about anything other than Super League?