Referee explains why Super League star wasn’t red carded

Leigh Leopards, Wigan Warriors and St Helens are all chasing Catalans Dragons in a fight for the League Leaders’ Shield and of course home semi-finals in the Betfred Super League play-offs with four forced to go into two.

This made the stakes massive as Leigh hosted Catalans a week after their Challenge Cup Final victory over Hull KR.

What didn’t help was the number of controversial moments with John Asiata three times taken late resulting in a yellow card for Mike McMeeken and Michael McIlorum.

Some might have wanted a red for McIlorum with the hooker catching Asiata around the head but Jack Smith explained: “The mitigating factor is he’s dipping. But it’s still late and it’s the third time so it’s a sin bin.”

It comes after we saw plenty of challenges like that last night but this one was a little worse.

As Wakefield trinity and Castleford Tigers clashed, Chris Kendall was also focused on clamping down on late hits on attacking players which saw him dress down Blake Austin in the first half.

He could be heard saying: “You’ve hit him late mate, it’s not needed. It’s the second one!” he shouted,” It’s a push in the back.

“You don’t need to make that kind of contact, wrap him and take him to ground.”

Later in the game he would speak to skipper Joe Westerman saying: “In isolation that’s just a penalty but it keeps happening. Sort it out or cards will be coming out.”

Then Wakefield gave one away and he shut down their complaints saying: “It is the same as what they’ve been penalised for.”

Making the moment from McMeeken worse, the Leopards nailed the two points from the penalty and whilst McMeeken was off the field an error from Sam Tomkins handed a massive opportunity and it was one that was taken by the Leopards.

As Michael McIlorum stormed out to Asiata, he turned the ball inside to Tom Amone.

The great prop then stormed through rounding the cover defence to score the game’s opening try.

Ben Reynolds again nailed the two points and Leigh stormed into an 8-0 lead.

A great start from the Leopards and a disappointing start for the league leaders as the two battle in a vital match when it comes to the very top of the Betfred Super League table.

The question remains, which side will go on to win.