Rotherham Titans are pleased to have been informed that the result at full time in last week’s National 2 North game between Rotherham and Luctonians has been reinstated by the RFU.
The record will now show, as it was on the final whistle, Luctonians 10 – 12 Rotherham Titans.
There had been some confusion over whether the final kick of the game, a conversion by Titans Matt Minogue, had actually gone over the crossbar.
However, video footage clearly demonstrated the ball had indeed gone over.
The video clearly shows both assistant referees raise their flags in acknowledgment of a successful kick and also the referee blows his whistle to agree a successful conversion had taken place.
The referee then blew his whistle to indicate full time
Subsequently the Referee declared the conversion unsuccessful after consulting further with the Assistant Referees.
This crucial point that the game had ended before the kick was deemed unsuccessful was the reason Rotherham Titans launched their appeal.
During the course of a game Rotherham Titans agree wholeheartedly that the Referee is the sole arbiter of fact.
However we also believe that the result of a game cannot be amended after the final whistle.
The NLR referred the matter to the RFU Laws Sub Committee who agreed unanimously and have duly reinstated the original full time score.
Rotherham Titans would like to go on record to thank the NLR and RFU for the approach taken to this matter before arriving at their decision.
Rotherham Titans wish to confirm their full support to all match day officials, without whom there is no game.
The official’s dedication and integrity is very much appreciated as they do a sterling job, in what can be at times, difficult circumstances.
