WAS it me – or was this another match ruined by an official?

In a stop-stop derby between Hornets and Oldham Roughyeds at Boundary Park on Sunday, Dewsbury official James Child awarded 30 penalties – 15 to each team – and what is usually a high-tempo, exciting encounter was at best a scrappy affair.

It used to be said that when policemen started to look young, you were getting old. This now seems to be the case with rugby league officials. Some of them appear to be just out of short trousers and lack the experience to take charge of such important games. They may know the letter of the law but have little feel for the game’s physical nature and the need for continuity.

Fans want fast, flowing football. They do not want to listen to a ‘whistling concerto’ which is sadly out of tune with what the coaches, players and spectators desire.

It isn’t entirely their fault. The Rugby League must take some of the blame for tampering with the rules. Referees are also under pressure from the watching eye of the match commissioner, and referees’ supremo Stuart Cummings, restricting their ability to use common sense. What purpose these ‘overseers’ serve is anybody’s guess. In my conversations with coaches, the feedback they give after matches has little or no effect, so what’s the point?

That said, Hornets had only themselves to blame for this defeat. Bobbie Goulding’s men were badly out of sorts and their inability to complete their sets proved their downfall.

But, despite gifting Oldham possession and territorial advantage they showed great character on defence and restricted the home team to three tries.

Had Mr Child allowed Dave Newton’s try when he crashed over close to the posts the result might have been different. Both Goulding, who was sitting behind the sticks, and Newton were adamant the ball had been correctly grounded. Mr Child thought otherwise.

To rub salt into the visitors’ wounds he then yellow carded Newton for reacting to Paul O’Connor’s challenge as he crossed the line. Oldham went straight upfield and took advantage of the extra man, Rob Roberts crossing for a converted try. Hornets, who should and could have trailed by only two points, were now 18-4 behind. It was, without doubt, a crucial decision.

Hornets might have guessed it wasn’t going to be their day when, in the second minute, Chris Campbell homed in on Martin Ainscough’s astute kick for the corner. The ball, though, took a wicked bounce and the chance was lost.

With 10 minutes gone, from the fifth penalty of the game, Carl Sneyd gave the visitors a two-point lead. It was no surprise when, two minutes later, Mick Nanyn returned the compliment to level the scores. The pair again exchanged penalty kicks to make it 4-4.

Hornets then contrived to coninually lose the ball early in the tackle count and Oldham camped in the visitors’ half.But a combination of tremendous tackling and Oldham’s inability to spin the ball wide created a stalemate.

Three minutes before the break it looked like the first half might end that way, but Mark Brocklehurst chose to hack at a loose ball when it seemed simpler to drop on it and gave Oldham possession.

A half break by Roberts and a quick pass saw Said Tamghart send Tommy Goulden in for the opening try.

Nanyn converted for a 12-4 interval lead. Hornets looked to have picked up the pace in the second half, but when Newton’s try was disallowed Roberts strode through some inept tackling to score. Nanyn tagged on the two.

Oldham continued to press and it needed a try-saving tackle from Eric Andrews, following a break by Phil Joseph, to stop them adding to their tally. The referee spotted a penalty and Nanyn obliged with two more points.

With 15 minutes to go the home team kept the ball alive well and Danny Helliwell touched down out wide.

The game was over for Hornets, but with a bonus point on offer they roused themselves to score two tries. In the 69th minute, Ainscough and Brocklehurst combined for Alex Brown to power in out wide.

And with two minutes to go Campbell collected a wayward kick from Joseph and outstripped the Oldham cover, racing 70 metres to score. Sneyd added the extras.

There was a cry from the crowd of ‘Play some champagne rugby Oldham’ during the match. but all that was on offer was flat, watered down mild, which was bitterly disappointing.

Hornets: Andrews, Brown, Brocklehurst, Sneyd, Campbell, Ainscough, Forster, Hill, Elston, Robinson, Alcock, Sinfield, Hughes Subs (all used): Sam Butterworth, Mike Callan, Dave Cunliffe, David Newton. Tries: Brown (69), Campbell (78). Goals: Sneyd 1, Penalties: Sneyd 2.

Oldham: O’Connor, Langley, Helliwell, Nanyn, Onyango, Roden, Coyle, Boults, Joseph, Mervill, Goulden, Robinson, Roberts Subs (all used): St Hilaire, Tamghart, Hoyle, Menzies. Tries: Goulden (37), Roberts (46), Halliwell (65) Goals: Nanyn 2 Penalties: Nanyn 4

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury)
Attendance: 1,107
Penalties: 15-15
Half-time: 12-4

Click on the audio links to hear post-match reaction from coaches Bobbie Goulding and Steve Deakin