Rival fans are not happy with the decisions around Leeds Rhinos in their win over Catalans Dragons.
The game saw the Dragons pick up three yellow cards to one and many felt Leeds Rhinos star James Bentley should have received a yellow or even a red card after an incident with Tariq Sims.
This led to one fan saying: “Turned the game into a free for all by not stamping his authority in the first half.”
Quite rightly, another said: “Can’t have it both ways. Excellent decision from the official not to ruin the game early on.”
Many fans were dumbfounded by the fact Bentley avoided a card: “Both players should have seen yellow at least, especially the way things have been with cards.”
Another added: “How can you drop an elbow on someone’s head and not get a card?”
Others compared the Bentley incident to the moment Sims was sin binned for his efforts to try and stop Harry Newman from scoring: “Can’t believe he didn’t do anything here but sends off a player for trying to prevent a try.”
Other fans were disappointed to see the move to different rules benefit Leeds: “All the disciplinary from the first two rounds has suddenly disappeared. Retaliation and attacking the head is okay now.”
Leeds were even accused of milking: “Leeds milking masterclass” and another said, “He sent a man to the sin bin for nothing because the Leeds man milked a penalty.”
Leeds Rhinos claim impressive win
Leeds Rhinos got off to the worst possible start against the Catalans Dragons immediately inviting pressure on their own line from the 2023 Super League Grand Finalists when Lachie Miller knocked on at the kick-off.
However, Leeds would defend that set well and that would be the story of the first half an hour with Leeds frequently defending their line well with big hits from Cameron Smith and Brodie Croft the stand out defensive contributions.
There was one flash point when James Bentley was hit around the head when on the ground by Tariq Sims and caught Sims with an elbow but both men stayed on the field after some good officiatinh from Chris Kendall.
The Rhinos would absorb the pressure and strike at the other end with Brodie Croft kicking behind for Ash Handley to score yet again.
Leeds added to their lead when a break and quick hands saw Harry Newman burrow over. Tariq Sims was sin binned for a high shot within the try. Leeds led 10-0 but Catalans would nail a penalty before the break to make it 10-2.
In the second half, Chris Satae would fire Catalans back into the game barging over for a try and Justin Sangare was sin binned leading to a penalty which made it 10-all.
After this, Jordan Dezaria was sin binned leaving both sides down to 12 men and the game in the balance and it would tip in Leeds’ favour as Harry Newman and Leon Ruan would combined after a deflected kick to get Leeds down field. Cameron Smith then fed the ball wide to Ash Handley to score.
The game was won when Rhyse Martin nailed a penalty after Romain Navarrete became the third Catalans player sin binned. Leeds won 18-10.
