Referee errors cost Wanderers
Published 28 Nov 2011 10:00
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The major talking point in the Dumfries clubhouse on Saturday afternoon was the performance of referee Tom McNicol, whose three glaring errors unquestionably cost Greenock Wanderers at least a share of the spoils in an enthralling battle against Dumfries Saints at Park Farm.
The Irvine-based whistler first sent off Wanderers' star centre Brendan McGroarty for a perfectly legitimate tackle, then moments later missed a blatant knock-on which led to the hosts only try of the match. McNicol completed his trilogy of errors in the last minute when he once more penalised captain Matt Gray for what appeared to be another fair tackle, resulting in Dumfries kicking the winning penalty.
For Wanderers', this was arguably their finest performance of the season. Travelling to the home of the second top side in the league with eight first team regulars absent, not many in the division gave them much of a chance. What transpired was an excellent performance.
Up front, Dave Paton, Yan Young and Martin Lavelle were combative in the scrummage, while Matt Gray and Murray MacDonald put in another hard shift in the boiler house. Graham Mooney, Calum Robb and John Stewart battled bravely in Wanderers' cause all afternoon.
The back line was rock solid in defence and half backs Andy McDougall and Kenny Diffenthal used their experience and the weather conditions wisely.
A howling gale and driving rain swept the length of the field throughout the 80 minutes.
Skipper Matt Gray won the toss and elected to play into the elements in the first half. An epic battle ensued with Wanderers fighting a spirited rearguard action against wave after wave of Dumfries attack. With half-time approaching and the Wanderers looking to have made it to the break on level terms, Dumfries centre Michael Yates entered the line at pace only to be smashed back in the tackle by McGroarty. Referee McNicol stopped play and called the Wanderers youngster and captain Gray aside, then to the amazement of all produced a red card which even had the home support bemused.
Before the locals could regroup, Dumfries launched an attack down the right flank. Mr McNicol missed what appeared to a be a clear knock-on and wing forward Finlay Miller took advantage to flop on the ball as it squirmed into the in-goal area, for the first try of the match.
Five points adrift and reduced to 14 men, Wanderers had a mountain to climb in the second half. Diffenthal used the wind to his advantage and it was the locals who held the initiative.
On 57 minutes, Diffenthal reduced the deficit to 5-3 with a wind-assisted penalty and the Greenock side grew in confidence. Ten minutes later, Wanderers forced a series of scrums close to the Dumfries line. Robb had a tilt at the host's defence but when tackled, quick ball was released to winger Alan Knox who sped in at the corner to claim the lead 8-5.
Dumfries responded quickly, and on 71 minutes earned a penalty when Wanderers infringed at the ruck. Stand-off Graham Gemmell levelled the scores with a fine strike into the wind to set up a frantic final few minutes.
With the game entering injury time the hosts made it to the Wanderers 22-metre line. Second row Alistair Mather breenged forward again from the base of a ruck and was tackled by Matt Gray who drove him back over the gain line. Referee McNicol, incredibly, once more stopped play and awarded Dumfries a penalty for dangerous play. No card was produced on this occasion and Gemmell knocked over the winning kick.
Wanderers scrambled desperately in the last few seconds but could not get back on terms.
President Graeme Alexander said: "I was really proud of the boys today. I felt we deserved more from the game but when decisions go against you it's hard to produce a winning performance. All credit to Dumfries, they had to cope with the same conditions as us and did well."
Wanderers are at home next weekend when they host Dundee side Morgan Academy FP at Fort Matilda, with a 2pm kick-off.
Wanderers: L Tyley, S Connolly, B McGroarty, K Smith, A Knox, K Diffenthal, A McDougall, M Lavelle, Y Young, D Paton, M Gray {C}, M MacDonald, J Stewart, G Mooney, C Robb. Replacements: S Alexander, S Black, N Wright, J Appleton.
l Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 28 Nov 11
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