Watched this several times frame by frame. It's Liam Kay who runs in, Manning throws the first punch. Haggerty was appealing to touch judge. Second time Manning runs in it's to have a go at Kay again. Haggerty should get off no case to answer. Mistaken identity. Acton on the touchline is desperate to get stuck in. Fortunately saw sense and kept control. Manning shouldn't play again this season.

But would they be any wiser ?

Yes, if they sorted out the informative crap from the insulting crap.

I've now watched this a number of times too. Guess everyone will have a slightly different view - perhaps including the Disciplinary Panel.

My take is that Manning assaults Sam by running in, certainly with one and possibly both forearms raised. He has no intention of making a legal tackle and is so late that I imagine most of us couldn't be sure what actually happened when watching the game live. At the point impact, both his feet are appear to be off the ground.

Manning then starts a fight with Liam who was in there as a peacemaker. As if he needs to do any more to secure his long rest from the game he then starts it all again by running at Liam like a windmill in a gale after both teams had separated.

Much as we would like to see Kurt get off - he throws too many, running in twice to protect his team mates.

Overall this was another superhuman performance from our boys - Manning gave the Leigh lads (and I guess us fans also) the extra adrenalin rush we all needed to get us through.

We all hope Sam is feeling much better by now. His MOM performance was very special and each of his sublime trademark offloads were worth the admission money on there own.

What a fantastic season we are having - let's aim to raise the attendance level (and the roof) yet again against Barrow tomorrow - this one is for Sam Barlow.

Let's also trust that Bobby Goulding will be a lot smarter than some of the other coaches who seem to believe that by roughing things up they will have a better chance of staying in the game. We have proved time and again this season that this tactic won't work against our master tactician and the ultimate pro (Paul Rowley) and his totally focussed charges.

Great first post and welcome to the message board.

I have also looked at this a number of time and i think you are correct with both elbows raised which seems to go into the throat of Barlow followed by the head which makes contact with Barlows face. Scrappy game but as you say we got the win.

That is exactly the way I saw it and if you can slow it down you will see that Liam Kay is looking away from Manning with his arm out to separate the lads and the coward Manning clumps him one.

Worth remembering that the tackle before the ref put them all on a team warning then Manning goes in with an attack like that, both arms up and jumping off the ground to take Sam's head. Also to walk round and restart another fight is just stupid, hope he gets the longest ban possible, he deserves it. Watching it back it looks to me Hagerty saw the attack on Sam and appeals to the touch judge, who does nothing, Kay then runs in to challenge Manning who starts punching which descends the whole thing into a mass brawl. Don't know how the ref singled out Hagerty yes he threw some punches but so did a lot of players and he didn't run in as much as some others. Just goes to show how clueless and cowardly the ref was, something like that happens and all he can do is send one off from each side, shouldn't ref a Championship game again.

He's not fit to referee, Leigh East under 7's

Leatherbarrow should be stood down from reffing tomorrow. He's got NW Crusaders v Whitehaven, a must-win game for both teams. Can see some more fireworks there, he and his touch judges have got to get a grip from the start.

If he had been a coward he wouldn't have been on the pitch. Are you going to have a go?

He's not a coward no

He got no help from the ypung lad on the side where it all kicks off

He didn't stop it when field house did Riddy which was when he lost control if he had given him ten mins with a warnig of the next one will be red, I don't this have happened

There are various comments about , 'watched it again', 'had another look', 'watched it a few times', etc. The ref can't do any of those!! When someone is hit late on most occasions the referee won't see it. That is where his minders come into it, watching his back; the ref will be watching the ball not where it has been but where it is, he can assume something has happened when the crowd shouts but he can't act on it. His TJs, who are supposed to be looking where the ball has been, should see things like the late hit on Barlow because that is what they are there for (watching the ref's back), if they see it and don't report it they should be taken off the list. Leatherbarrow had a poor game but was left totally isolated by his TJs who should be ashamed of their performances.



None of the above happens in most amateur games the ref is on his own and expects to be shot at.