Leigh coach queries whether controversial refereeing call was ‘legal’ in Leeds win

Leigh Leopards coach Adrian Lam admitted he wasn’t sure whether Chris Kendall’s decision to award Leeds a 40-20 with seconds to go in their dramatic win over the Rhinos on Thursday was ‘legal’.

Jake Connor looked as though he had given Leeds one last chance to salvage the points at AMT Headingley, after kicking a magnificent 40-20 despite David Armstrong doing all he could to stop it from going out.

The play initially rolled on live before on-field official Kendall stopped the game to check for the validity of the 40-20. Replays showed Armstrong stood on the touchline before ultimately patting the ball back into play.

It mattered little in the end as Leigh survived for a crucial two points – but Lam was left bemused post-match.

“I don’t know if that’s legal”

Speaking in depth about the incident after the game, Lam said he would seek further clarity on whether the match officials were allowed to stop the game to make such a check.

He said: “I was really frustrated at the decision because I don’t know if that’s legal. I don’t know yet whether he was allowed to go up and check that. Can anyone clarify that here? If the referee is allowed to do that?

“I don’t want that to be the talking point of the game, but there were several six agains that went against us, and we didn’t get one penalty, we didn’t get one six again the whole second half.

“I think it was like 15. If you add up the pressure releases against us, it was about 15 penalties and six agains, and then that call came, I was brewing up because I just felt that we didn’t get a single call.

“There was a lot of moments where it could have been a little bit more consistent with getting a six again and it wasn’t given. And that’s the way that he refereed the night. There was nothing given the whole time.”

Lam would then question the decision again, saying: “Is he allowed to do that? Is he allowed to go up and check that? I don’t think he is unless it’s a captain’s challenge, which it’s not a stopping point to challenge that, because the touch judge’s flag didn’t go up. I’ll get clarity on that but come on. We’ll see how that unfolds on Monday.”

Lam queries Andy Badrock sin-bin

Lam also admitted he ‘understood’ why centre Andy Badrock was sin-binned for a hip drop on Harry Newman in the second half, but said he hoped no further punishment would be given to Badrock.

He said: “Newman breaks the tackle and you’ve got to do your best to stop the tackle.

“I understand it but I hope that’s all we get from it. It’s part of the game in my opinion. Everything that was going on, and then down to 12 men.. I just felt that everything was against us.”

The win nudges Leigh closer to confirming their spot in the play-offs long before the end of the regular season, with Bradford Bulls their next opponents.