Weaver slams poor quality of refereeing (From Free Press Series)

Weaver slams poor quality of refereeing

PONTYPOOL defence coach Kevin Weaver has slammed the standard of refereeing in the Welsh Premiership saying it's making matches a farce. His comments come after Saturday's controversial game at the Gnoll where Neath beat Pontypool 41-11.

Pooler had four players sin binned by referee Lynn Davies including captain Cae Trayhern who was shown the yellow card after questioning one of the official's decisions.

Despite the early sin binnings of lock Darrell Cox and prop Neil Giles Pontypool deservedly clawed their way back into the game to trail unbeaten Neath by just 17-11 thanks to a Shabaj Ali try.

But with Trayhern's harsh sin binning the flood gates opened and it was clear there would be no repeat of Pooler's gallant 25-24 victory at Park last season against the Welsh All Blacks.

Despite not being at the game Weaver was furious with Lynn Davies' performance slamming the referee's decision as unacceptable.

"The standard of refereeing is not up to scratch. It's disgusting. It's totally unacceptable and making games a farce.

"Every week we are being challenged by different interpretations of the rules by referees. We are trying to install a game plan for games, but how can we achieve that when we don't know what rules we are meant to play by each week.

"We have been harmed irreversibly by referee's decisions in our last few games. It's just totally out of order and unacceptable. It can turn a player two ways: either they come out stronger and more determined or let their heads drop and think of packing it in. That's the situation we are being forced into by poor refereeing," said Weaver.

Pontypool now languish fourth off the bottom in the Premiership table with only two wins and a draw to show from their opening ten games. At the same stage last season they had won six and lost just four.

There are some signs of hope though that Pontypool can make a push back into the safety zone.

At last Pontypool seem to have found a strong enough replacement to Byron Hayward at fly-half. Sam Mills has been consistent with the boot this season and is just two points shy of scoring a century of points for the club this term.

Pontypool also have a less stressful run of games ahead with trips to Cardiff and Llandovery and a home game against Caerphillly.

Speaking on this Saturday's match at the Arms Park against Cardiff, Weaver said a lot would depend on how many players from the Blues are drafted into the city side's starting line-up, adding: "We have to treat this game as must win. They have had a tough season too so we can compete."

The match kicks off at 2.30pm.

l Tickets are now on sale at the club for Wales' November internationals against South Africa and New Zealand. Contact Colin Tuckwell on 01495 755553 for more information.