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Catalan bemoan ref’s decision
CATALAN coach Trent Robinson insisted his team had been denied a fair try in the closing stages as they suffered their first home Super League defeat of the season, going down 20-15 to St Helens.
The Dragons had three tries ruled out late on, the last of which from Damien Cardace came in the 78th minute.
The try was ruled out by the video referee who adjudged Tommy Makinson had been held back, but Robinson was left fuming.
“I think it is a two man contest,” he said. “If the RFL cleared up the rule, we haven’t had a rule change or interpretation changes come through when it comes through to contesting a high ball, but for me it is two men competing for the ball and in my opinion it was a try.”
But despite his disappointment, Robinson was able to find plenty of other positives in the game.
“Yes, we are disappointed to lose, and for the first time in the league here at Brutus,” he said. “I thought it was an awesome game, I hope everyone here and at home enjoyed the game. Disappointed to lose but we seem to be able to compete with the big sides.
“The two points were pretty valuable for us tonight, but we’re starting to compete, get into the arm wrestle and look to stay with the big sides. We need to keep playing like we have been over the last few weeks and the results will come. For me, this is the best that we are playing since I’ve been in charge.
“The Catalans have played in different styles over the years, hopefully we’re starting to play in a style that other fans will look at and say ‘I hope my team can play like that’.
“I’m proud of the boys that they have played two teams like St Helens and Warrington in ten days sandwiching Hull FC and performed at that intensity, it shows that we are getting as close as we have since I have been in charge of breaking into that top group of clubs.
St Helens interim coach Mike Rush was delighted to get the late stroke of luck in the disallowed try and come away with the win.
“I would have had complaints if the decision had gone against us, I’m not going to moan too much, because the decision has gone our way,” he said.
Cardace had crossed the line moments after the sending off of St Helens’ Tony Puletua, who was ruled to have attacked Gregory Mounis’ head in the tackle.
Catalan had enjoyed a last-gasp win over St Helens at Langtree Park on their last visit, but Rush insisted there was no thought of revenge in tonight’s win.
“It’s not revenge,” he said. “We have nothing against Catalan or any of their staff or players, it was nice for us to get a win after we threw away two points at home against Catalan. We might not have been in our best form but we’re picking up some points.”
When asked about both Leeds and St Helens starting to find form after early season blip’s and the prospect of playing Leeds in another grand final, Rush responded “We’re not bothered who we play in the Grand Final, obviously it will be nice for us to get there again, if it is Leeds, Wigan, Warrington or Catalans, so long as we get there it doesn’t bother me.”
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Weather for St Helens
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
