Ex-Super League referee questions ‘madness’ in Hull FC v Leigh Leopards clash

Super League dished up a Thursday night thriller as Hull FC and Leigh Leopards drew 22-22 but some of the refereeing decisions have been questioned, including by a former Super League official.

Hull FC showed plenty of grit in the draw against Leigh, who missed out on a perfect four from four record, with the Black and Whites proving that they’re a completely different team from 2024.

John Cartwright’s team came from behind on multiple occasions and scored in the dying seconds to take the game to golden point, where yet more refereeing decisions caused drama.

Throughout the 80 minutes Hull FC saw two players sin binned as well with NRL recruits Jordan Rapana and Aidan Sezer both heading off for ten minutes, leaving FC down to 11 at one point.

The lack of consistency in the officiating of the match has now been questioned by former Super League referee Richard Silverwood.

The game also saw Hull FC head coach John Cartwright seeking ‘clarification’ regarding some of the official’s decisions.

Ex-Super League referee questions ‘madness’ in Hull FC v Leigh Leopards clash

Silverwood took to social media midway through the game to question why no Leigh players had been sent for ten minutes given the decisions that led both Rapana and Sezer to be sin binned.

Posting on X, he said: “Just when I thought we were officiating sensibly… madness resumes. If Hull are sin bins then Leigh should have at least one in the bin.”

Silverwood, who officiated over 400 Super League games including three Grand Finals, didn’t reference which Leigh players should have been sin binned but the Aidan Sezer sin bin was generally viewed by fans as quite soft.

Just when I thought we were officiating sensibly 😩 madness resumes. If Hulls are sin bins then Leigh should have at least one in the bin.

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) March 6, 2025

Sezer was marched for ten just after the 20-minute mark following a high tackle with his left arm coming over the top as he tackled David Armstrong.

There was more controversy in golden point as Tom Briscoe looked to have caught Lachlan Lam’s kick-off out on the full by stretching his right foot back towards the touchline.

The touch judge disagreed and ruled that Briscoe caught the ball in play before moving his foot into touch, thus granting Leigh the ball, something that FC used a captain’s challenge on.

That verdict was inconclusive meaning Leigh were given the ball in great territory for a drop goal, which they subsequently missed, but Silverwood took to social media to question that decision as well.

He posted: “Wow, his foot never goes further back so if touch judge deems it on the line then it must be caught on the full?”

Had that verdict been ruled then Hull FC would have retained the ball and been able to head down field, potentially earning themselves a drop goal attempt.

Wow, his foot never goes further back so if touch judge deems it on the line then it must be caught on the full?

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) March 6, 2025