Disagreement in the commentary box over controversial moment in Leeds win

Catalans Dragons yesterday took an 16-8 lead at Headingley following a hugely controversial try.

After a superb offload in the middle of the field, the always dangerous Mitchell Pearce got the ball and dummied. He looked to squirm over the line but Leeds cover came across and hit the halfback as he went for the line with the halfback headed for the post pad.

Pearce looked short but got up and celebrated the try thus Liam Moore sent the decision up to the video referee having seen the ball touch the white of the try line.

Video referee Marcus Griffiths took his time to watch the try where to the fans at Headingley it seemed that Pearce had been stopped short.

However, Griffiths ruled that Pearce’s momentum had not stopped and that the ball had then got to the line with the try awarded.

Leeds fans weren’t happy.

It also caused a disagreement in the commentary box as Mark Wilson believed it was a try because the Leeds defence had pulled Pearce over the line:

“I didn’t think the tackle was completed, I thought he was still going and pulled over the line so I thought it was a try.”

However, former St Helens star Kyle Amor disagreed:

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think that was a try. I thought it was a double movement.

“I thought the tackle was complete but the video ref must think there’s momentum or that the tackle is incomplete.

“For me, I’m sorry Mark I don’t agree with you, I think he has got that one wrong.

“It matters not now, we can get on with the rest of the game but that arm is down and then pops back up and promotes the ball.

“For me that is not a try, certainly not but the scoreboard will say it is.”

Wilson then asked the question:

“It’s an interesting one, I think if he rolls over and grounds the ball then I think that’s fine but you’re saying his momentum had stopped and he kept going?”

And Amor stuck to his gones:

“His right arm hits the floor and Sam Lisone is round his legs so he is tackled there and then he promotes it.”

But so did Wilson who reiterated that he felt Lisone had pulled Pearce over the line for the try:

“Does Lisone not pull him over the line?”

But Amor would go on to point out that the burden of proof lay with awarding the try rather than not because it was sent up as a no try making him further question the decision:

“For me, especially with Liam Moore sending it up as a no try, I don’t see how that is given.”

In the end it would only help galvanise the Rhinos as they won 32-22.