Fans split on crucial moment in St Helens v Salford game

St Helens edged Salford Red Devils out in golden point last night as they won 17-16 to leapfrog Paul Rowley’s side on the Super League ladder, but the result could have been incredibly different due to one decision.

The two sides couldn’t be split in the first 40 minutes, heading into the halftime break at 4-4 and they were once again tied on the hour mark at 10-10 before St Helens crept in front through a Joe Batchelor try.

It was the 69th minute when the contentious events began with Saints forward Morgan Knowles sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Joe Mellor. Just ten in-game seconds later and both try-scorer Batchelor and Ollie Partington were also sent to the bin, making it 11 versus 12.

The decision for Knowles to leave the field was widely accepted, although some have questioned if it should have been red instead of yellow.

Questions over St Helens sin bin

Referee Chris Kendall explained to Morgan Knowles that his shot on Mellor was “high force” but there was ‘mitigation’ due to the sudden drop in height but some fans have questioned that.

Footage of the incident was quickly shared online with fans from all clubs offering their opinions on the tackle.

As is the case with rugby league fans, team bias comes into question with one fan claiming: “Any team in the league apart from Saints and this is a straight red.”

Should have been a red going off this year’s decisions.

— Tommy Pierce (@TommyWAFC) August 8, 2024

Others compared it to previous red cards, namely James Harrison’s against St Helens and Adam Keighran’s against Warrington Wolves.

“Very lucky, especially considering the force applied and the fact Harrison a few weeks ago was a red,” one argued.

Another noted: “Adam Keighran was banned for less. He’s looking at a three-game ban there surely.”

Mitigation was the key word in Chris Kendall’s decision and that was referenced by another who explained that Joe Mellor was falling but argued Knowles’ disciplinary record meant he might still be banned.

He falls just before impact, so there is mitigation

He will get a ban though, especially with his previous form

— Liam (@liam_hefc) August 8, 2024

Salford fans could feel aggrieved with the decision given that Knowles could return to the field and St Helens were therefore at full strength for the five minutes of golden point.

Knowles will no doubt await Monday’s Match Review Panel anxiously.