Video referee awards controversial try to Catalans against Leeds Rhinos

Catalans Dragons have taken a 16-8 lead at Headingley following a hugely controversial try.

After a superb offload in the middle of the field, the always dangerous Mitchell Pearce got the ball and dummied. He looked to squirm over the line but Leeds cover came across and hit the halfback as he went for the line with the halfback headed for the post pad.

Pearce looked short but got up and celebrated the try thus Liam Moore sent the decision up to the video referee having seen the ball touch the white of the try line.

Video referee Marcus Griffiths took his time to watch the try where to the fans at Headingley it seemed that Pearce had been stopped short.

However, Griffiths ruled that Pearce’s momentum had not stopped and that the ball had then got to the line with the try awarded.

Leeds fans weren’t happy but the Rhinos had earlier wasted some big opportunities.

First Nene MacDonald simply ran out of room when he looked to squeeze the ball down in the corner.

Then Harry Newman was unable to pick the ball up from his feet after an Aidan Sezer grubber kick had laid a try on a plate.

The Rhinos then had a try disallowed straight after for a forward pass as Zane Tetevano barged over Pearce to score.