11 May 2009

Video refs under-fire as Manly get season back on tracK

7:33 am on 11 May 2009

Video referees have come under heavy fire from players and coaches after controversial National Rugby League wins for Manly and Newcastle.

Manly took a small step towards getting their premiership defence back on track with a 22-20 upset over Brisbane while Newcastle beat Gold Coast 23-18.

But the wins were controversial with the Gold Coast coach John Cartwright fuming after a controversial no-try ruling helped Newcastle hang on for their fifth victory in six games.

And in Brisbane the Broncos coach Ivan Henjak was also in a bad mood after the Manly centre Jamie Lyon received two try-scoring decisions in his favour after appeariing to deliberatel;y knock the ball forward before scoring one.

The Dragons and the Broncos losses saw them miss the chance to leapfrog the Bulldogs, who had the bye, and go to the top of the ladder.

The round will be completed tonight when Sydney Roosters take on Melbourne in Gosford.