Leeds Rhinos reduced to 12 against Salford but should it have been a penalty try?

Leeds Rhinos were reduced to 12 men as they battle Salford Red Devils tonight with Blake Austin shown a yellow card in the first half.

It came from a delightful kick from Marc Sneyd as he stabbed the ball through following a probing run with former Leeds hero Kallum Watkins chasing the ball.

Alert to the danger, it seemed Austin pulled back Watkins and was subsequently sent to the sin bin.

It begs the question, with Richie Myler coming around but second favourite for the ball, should it have been a penalty try?

Salford have been burnt before by a similar decision in last year’s semi-final against St Helens when Tommy Makinson was sin binned for a similar offence on Tim Lafai but no penalty try was awarded at a crucial interval in the game.

It comes after some suggested Jake Trueman’s yellow card perhaps should be punished by a penalty try given Wigan Warriors would have likely scored without the Hull FC’s debutant’s actions.

However, it is always a case that the official, in this case Jack Smith, has to be certain that a try would have been scored without the foul play.

In the end Austin’s sacrifice was in vein as Salford scored from the penalty through Rhys Williams as they exploited the numbers.

It was another slow start and was made worse by a Sam Stone try.

Fortunately for Leeds they crossed just before halftime through Richie Myler: 12-6.