Statement by CEO Andy Moulsdale following the Hunslet game

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STATEMENT: North Wales Crusders CEO Andy Moulsdale has called on the Rugby Football League to review the decision of the last minute drop-goal awarded to Hunslet during Sunday’s match which had clearly fallen 3-4 feet beneath the bar.

The drop-goal meant that Hunslet came away with a 19-18 victory from the Queensway Stadium.

Moulsdale said: “We feel as a club that we owe it to the game as a whole, our fans and especially our players to call on the RFL to review the incident.

“The result has not only had an effect on ourselves but also on the race for the play-off places.

“I've been involved with rugby league a long time and I understand that referees have a very difficult job, certain decisions are open to interpretation and opinions and are they are never going to get everything right.

“However, what was witnessed on Sunday is not open to interpretation. People will argue that games are won on lost on calls every week which they are and always will be. But the magnitude of this incident is completely different in my opinion.

“This is in no way anything against Hunslet and their fans who where as bemused as us about the situation, but we have to protect our club and the game.”

[Just Browny]

Tough one. Just seen the video and it was an utterly appalling decision to give a drop goal. Still, not sure they can randomly overturn one decision.

The ref and his touchjudges should be invited to spend a few weeks away from the game, possibly visiting an optician, however.

[clwydianrange]

I was at the game and can see exactly where Andy Moulsdale is coming from, it was a diabolical decision. However nothing will come of this or we’d have a similar outcry after most games. Unfortunately we’ve just got to live with it as wrong as it was.

[David Shepherd]

Lot's of sympathy for NWC here, but you can't just go over turning results because of a refereeing error.

The history of the sport would need re-writing.  However, if the RFL do overturn the result, happy days.  Featherstone will have an extremely strong case for getting 20 years Super League money and replacing Wakefield, who got there because of an error in the 1998 play off.

See why it can't be done?

[Oliver Clothesoff]

Embarrassing. 

People want more respect in the game and you get club chairmen doing this. 

[Spidey]

In what minute of the game was the drop goal? I could only imagine the RFL overturning it if it was literally the last play of the game. If not it would open a big can of worms for incidents in other games

[Spidey]

1 minute ago, Oliver Clothesoff said:

Embarrassing. 

People want more respect in the game and you get club chairmen doing this. 

Huh? He’s not been disrespectful at all. Plus he’s a CEO. 

If the RFL refuse and he accepts it. No harm done really?

[clwydianrange]

6 minutes ago, Johnoco said:

I heard the Hunslet coach on Radio Leeds saying it definitely went over.

Results can be voided if it turns out there was 14 players on the pitch or unregistered players or something, so why not in this case? (Assuming it was a last second game winner)

There’s a video posted on here that shows the ball at least two feet below the crossbar

[DavidM]

I think he’s got a point and at least a right to have a go as it was so bad obvious and pivotal 

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[gogledd]

Why are North Wales making such a fuss you may ask?

Proposals for next years funding from the RFL can  be effected by the position the club finishes in. 

[Wellsy4HullFC]

That's horrendous. No excuses for that one.

[gogledd]

19 minutes ago, Johnoco said:

I heard the Hunslet coach on Radio Leeds saying it definitely went over.

Results can be voided if it turns out there was 14 players on the pitch or unregistered players or something, so why not in this case? (Assuming it was a last second game winner)

I wouldn't expect him to say anything else - his job is to get 2 points for a win. In fairness to the Hunslet players and supporters - all were as bemused as the Crusaders fans, players and staff at the decision.

[Oliver Clothesoff]

32 minutes ago, Spidey said:

Huh? He’s not been disrespectful at all. Plus he’s a CEO. 

If the RFL refuse and he accepts it. No harm done really?

He’s not being disrespectful by not accepting the referee’s decision as final? 

[Spidey]

Just now, Oliver Clothesoff said:

He’s not being disrespectful by not accepting the referee’s decision as final? 

He’s highlighted a blatant mistake that isn’t open to any interpretation like some of RL’s laws. 

If it was the last play of the game I’d be in favour of overturning it, although I suspect it isn’t 

Its quite a unique circumstance and warrants at least a discussion between NWC & The RFL

Respect needs to go both ways. I’d expect at least an acknowledgement from The RFL & The Referee himself he made a mistake 

[JohnM]

44 minutes ago, Spidey said:

In what minute of the game was the drop goal? I could only imagine the RFL overturning it if it was literally the last play of the game. If not it would open a big can of worms for incidents in other games

Last minute, it seems from the statement.

[gogledd]

3 minutes ago, Spidey said:

He’s highlighted a blatant mistake that isn’t open to any interpretation like some of RL’s laws. 

If it was the last play of the game I’d be in favour of overturning it, although I suspect it isn’t 

Its quite a unique circumstance and warrants at least a discussion between NWC & The RFL

Respect needs to go both ways. I’d expect at least an acknowledgement from The RFL & The Referee himself he made a mistake 

The referee had a chance to change his decision at the game. His touch judge told him it wasnt over...hell, even the kicker from Hunslet told him it wasnt over - yet he still awarded the point.

 

[dkw]

I don't blame him one bit, referees make mistakes, as do players but When's it's one so incredibly inept as this it needs highlighting. 

[Bob8]

1 hour ago, Johnoco said:

I heard the Hunslet coach on Radio Leeds saying it definitely went over.

Results can be voided if it turns out there was 14 players on the pitch or unregistered players or something, so why not in this case? (Assuming it was a last second game winner)

If he did, then either he has not seen the video or he is flat out lying.

Ref's and players make mistakes.  It is part of the game.

[Anonymouse]

where will it end if you over rule a ref days later ? how many knock ons are missed and the game is won on the following play etc ? 

investigate and reprimand the ref and maybe some retraining and a compulsory eye test .

[Dave T]

Bad decision, but thats all it is. The repercussions now are for the ref team to be dropped etc. We dont overturn results because a ref makes a rugby decision mistake.

[Oliver Clothesoff]

2 hours ago, Spidey said:

He’s highlighted a blatant mistake that isn’t open to any interpretation like some of RL’s laws. 

If it was the last play of the game I’d be in favour of overturning it, although I suspect it isn’t 

Its quite a unique circumstance and warrants at least a discussion between NWC & The RFL

Respect needs to go both ways. I’d expect at least an acknowledgement from The RFL & The Referee himself he made a mistake 

There’s plenty of “blatant mistakes” in every Rugby League game, every single week. Do we now have to get statements after every game because a human has made, exactly that, a human error?

 

[FearNothing]

I posted this yesterday on the L1 Match Thread yesterday:- 

I know the result can't/won't be overturned, but the RFL need to take a close look at this and have a "chat" with the officials involved...especially if the touchie told the ref it was no good and he ignored it.  

 

I think Andy's well within his rights to ask the RFL to review this, just to get the officials some more training....

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

Wrong decision by the ref, but I'm certain made in good faith on what he (thought he) saw. The ref did not have the benefit of that side on view and, looking at that video, had the sun in his eyes which wouldn't have helped.

[Rioman]

4 hours ago, David Shepherd said:

Lot's of sympathy for NWC here, but you can't just go over turning results because of a refereeing error.

The history of the sport would need re-writing.  However, if the RFL do overturn the result, happy days.  Featherstone will have an extremely strong case for getting 20 years Super League money and replacing Wakefield, who got there because of an error in the 1998 play off.

See why it can't be done?

No error. Asa Amone knocked on.