Wingham Rugby League Club officials are considering writing to the referees association about the performance of referee Wayne Archer during the Tigers’ loss to Forster-Tuncurry in the Group Three first grade minor semi final.
Some Wingham players, officials and supporters were fuming after the game, believing the result was determined by the man with the whistle.
The controversial 38-28 loss means Wingham has now been eliminated from the first grade competition.
The Tigers went into the minor semi on Saturday afternoon as underdogs against the Hawks at Harry Elliot Oval at Tuncurry.
The Tigers were without Dave Corbet, who was unavailable through injury.
The Hawks scored first after a grubber kick into the in-goal area. After a quarter of an hour, the Tigers hit back with a try to Matt Halliday, also from a grubber kick. Luke Steel's conversion put Wingham ahead 6-4.
Ten minutes later, Forster-Tuncurry crossed again through another grubber to lead 10-6.
Ten minutes before the break, Robert Moimoi was put into a hole and dived over near the posts. As he was diving, he was hit in the head by a Hawks fullback and knocked unconscious.
The Tigers led by 12-10.
Right on half time an all-in brawl broke out for several minutes, at one stage threatening to spill into the crowd. When peace was restored, Archer gave Wingham’s Brenden Summer-field 10 minutes in the sin bin. No Hawks player was penalised.
Up to that time, the Tigers had played out of their skin, and deserved their lead at half time.
An early second half penalty put the Hawks on attack, and resulted in a try to the home team and a 16-12 lead.
The Hawks ran in 18 points in the opening nine minutes of the second half to open a 28-12 lead. They increased this to 34-12 before the Tigers staged a late comeback.
Andrew Gilbert scampered out of dummy half to score near the posts. With the conversion by Luke Steel, the Tigers trailed by 34-18.
With 10 minutes remaining, a chip and chase by the Hawks led to another try.
The Tigers never gave in. Two tries to Matt Halliday in the final five minutes made the final score 38-28.
There was plenty to like about Wingham’s effort. Captain-coach Nigel Latham explained that the players made a pact not to be humiliated like they were in last season’s final when the Hawks ran in a record 80-10 win. They were good to their word.
Forwards Joe Southwell, Andrew Gilbert, Brent Dawson and Robert Moimoi worked hard all game while Matt Halliday was safe at fullback.
Latham praised his players and the Hawks after a tough game.
“We gave it all and that’s all I can ask for,’’ he said.
“This is as close as we’ve got to Forster all year and we gave them a run for their money. To play in a match like this is a great experience for the young kids in the side.
“They got away from us a bit early in the second half, but we kept trying, I can’t ask for anything more than that.’’
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