Betts rues the conversion attempt that was waved away (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Betts rues the conversion attempt that was waved away

2:43pm Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Vikings news By Mike Critchley

CONTROVERSY reigned at Stobart Stadium on Sunday with one of Rhys Hanbury’s conversions being waved away by the touch judges despite the Widnes crowd and, according to Denis Betts, the referee believing the ball had gone over.

Goalkicking was the crucial difference with Hanbury missing three and Stefan Marsh one meaning Vikings lost by a point despite out-scoring the third placed Saints on the scoreboard.

But the crowd’s immediate reaction to Hanbury’s first miss, as he attempted to improve Chris Dean’s 52nd minute try, was to boo the decision.

In the post match conference Betts said: “At the moment, from our video angle, it looks like the ball went over. The referee said he thought it went over but because both touch judges kept their flags down he can’t over rule them.

“So who is at fault there? Is it that the bloke in charge has no support or is it that the bloke in control cannot actually control the game?”

Betts was not satisfied with other aspects of referee Robert Hick’s display and pointed out what he felt were a couple of harsh penalties.

“I thought the referee was inconsistent, he was very emotional and didn’t have control over things.”

It was not just Betts, Saints coach Mike Rush felt aggrieved that Lance Hohaia’s first half try was disallowed.