Paul Rowley says crucial decision was “wrong”

We had a brilliant weekend of Super League action as Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR met in a golden point thriller, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves collided in a real battle and St Helens and Catalans Dragons met in a classic top of the table clash.

There were two big games in the fight for survival as Wakefield Trinity’s run of form ended away at Huddersfield Giants giving a big chance to Castleford Tigers to open up a four point lead on Wakefield at the foot of the table but they lost at Hull FC.

Then on Sunday the action concluded with a brilliant game between Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards.

The Leopards were looking to cement second spot without Edwin Ipape whilst Salford were hoping to reclaim a two point lead on Hull KR.

The Red Devils came up short in a 24-22 classic.

Paul Rowley spoke on the defeat after the game highlighting his side’s ill-discipline:

“We’ve played Leigh three times now, and each one has been a really close encounter, so I guess it’s a good spectacle in that respect.

“This time we’ve come unstuck. My thoughts are that our discipline let us down, and some decision-making at key moments.

“It’s a game played by honest people, and ultimately, if you take a little shortcut, the ball will find you or it finds you. I thought we clocked off at some moments today, and it found us.

“Ultimately, discipline was the thing that not only gave them the two points to get them in front, but it really gives you field position. You can see they’re quite manageable in their own half, and they come alive when they get in the opposition half through Asiata and Lam, in particular. So yeah, I did feel it was a game that we lost.”

The Red Devils did again have some big calls go against them however including a disallowed try for Joe Burgess.

Rowley said on BBC Radio Manchester he felt the decision was wrong: “We don’t think he got it right; it was a touch judge’s call, but we would never go down that route. We had enough in us to get the job done regardless of whether the calls were right, wrong, or indifferent.

“Usually, you find that you get some that go your way as well, which no doubt there would be. So, I would never go down that route.

“You’re free to talk about guys that were or weren’t for you guys, but for me, it’s not a healthy route to take when you’re trying to, like I said before, be the master of your own destiny and to do that, you need to work hard.”