I'm Sorry But You're Ruining Our Game

Chris Ashton, a very talented winger with the happy knack of scoring lots of tries, returned from an unjustly long ban last night and promptly scored two tries. Well done lad. But not so good was his part in getting Bath's Anthony Watson sent off. Here is the relevant action:

If you don't think that Ashton is running a clever line to block Watson challenging for the ball then you've never played the game. It is Ashton's line that sends Watson careening under the leaping Goode. No cheating Ashton, no foul in all probability because Watson gets to make the jump he wanted ie for the ball. Instead of which we get a red card for a player who has chased the ball with the object of regaining possession and, at the very worst, been guilty of clumsiness. Defuse the situation with a yellow card by all means but the red disfigures the match. The guidance given to referees on these matters is guff which allows unempathetic officials to betray the spirit of the game. It's a dangerous game lads and officiating it is not a science but an art. Discretion is required. I'm all for efforts to promote player safety but not at any cost. Shit happens.

As well, watch Ashton's reaction when Goode goes down. His first thought is to throw his arms in the air and appeal for Watson's dismissal. Like I say, talented player but he too often acts like a gobshite.