Fair comments, there. What I can't put my finger on, is why all three of the brawls we have been involved with, have been when he's had the whistle. (accepting that he obviously didn't start, or participate directly, in said brawls!

)

In this instance the touch judge seemed unwilling to come on to the field despite the fact that he must have clearly seen what had happened. The Leigh players were looking at him waiting for him to do something. When he seemed not to be doing so they, understandably took matters into their own hands. Decisive action from the TJ would probably have prevented the brawl.



What puzzled me was that the ref gave the whole Halifax team the "circular arm" warning before that (first time I've seen it given for a while) but then failed to act upon it.

He told them it was a team warning

Brian, what makes you think that the touch judge must have "clearly seen what had happened"?



It happened right in front of me, I was virtually as near to the incident as he was and I did not see it, I was following the ball.

That's the point Pat, you along with most in the crowd and the ref were watching the ball; the TJ is paid not to watch the ball in that situation.

I have to say also that I didn't see the actual incident.

It's funny that when Sam Barlow punched Potts at the shay you all stuck up for Sam say he did nothing wrong but know he got owned by manning it's different. Manning was stupid to going running in again but nobody knows what got said.

Whilst not condoning any of Sam Barlow's alleged misdemeanours, I would suggest that 'owned' is not the correct verb to apply to the Manning incident. How about 'hospitalised'?

What a pathetic comment 'owned'.... I know which player I'd prefer to have in my side and we have.

Sam was sporting a massive shiner today

Hi Pat



You are right of course (and I didn't see it either: I just saw Haggerty waiting/pleading with him to do something) but surely that's what TJ's are there for. I should have thought that they and the refs work together (or are supposed to) so if the ref watches the ball the TJ's job is to watch something else.

Any coward can "own" someone with a cheap shot off the ball. Hell, I could own Mike Tyson if I was a pillock with a pick-axe handle. (and more importantly, he wasn't expecting it). I spoke to Sam today and he's fine ..................and happy to be playing in the better team. ;