Barrie McDermott “mystified” by season defining decision

Leigh Leopards suffered defeat to Wigan Warriors on Friday night and with it they lost fourth spot and their home play off game to Hull KR meaning they will have to go away to Craven Park on Friday night.

It was a controversial game however with Oliver Gildart having a crucial second half try disallowed for obstruction.

This was a decision that was widely criticised especially by the Sky Sports pundits.

Barrie McDermott even said he was “mystified” by the decision with it being a “dead set try” in his opinion.

Phil Clarke meanwhile questioned the use of video referees whilst Brian Carney suggested that the current video referee system has made officials “weaker.”

Leigh were under the pump in the opening quarter except for an early chance when they came up short with Ben Reynolds who was on the inside ball but couldn’t squeeze through.

There was a suspicion of a high tackle and that could have led to the first try had it been given.

Adrian Lam was clearly not happy about this spotted on Sky gesturing for the high tackle.

Shortly after that, Jai Field jinked and weaved his way through the Leigh defence wrong footing a number of Leigh fringe defenders to score the opener.

Down the left against a right edge without Zak Hardaker, Wigan were having plenty of joy and Jake Wardle came up only just short.

Leigh did roll down field for a chance of their own but Oliver Gildart was denied before a stray pass gave Wigan the ball and then a lovely set move saw Jai Field feed Wardle through a gap to score.

Leigh did have another chance but Josh Charnley was bundled into touch by Abbas Miski.

They did eventually get themselves a try after a lovely break down the left with Lachlan Lam finishing off under the stick with Ben Reynolds converting.

The second half depicted two top teams going blow for blow.

Wigan thought they had found a way through the Leopards defence when Jai Field ducked and darted through the defence but he was brought back for obstruction.

Then at the other end of the field straight after this Leigh thought they had scored with a lovely set play but a very slight obstruction was noticed by Liam Moore and insufficient evidence when the video referee looked back meant the try was denied.