PREMIER DIVISION
by PHIL HODGSON
THE match in south Leeds between title rivals HUNSLET CLUB PARKSIDE and LOCK LANE was brought to a premature end when referee Mark Clayton abandoned play midway through the second half.
Clayton had halted proceedings, according to Parkside secretary Paul Thorpe, “as he felt threatened by the Lock Lane players.”
Lock Lane chairman Mick Wildey, however, took a slightly different view.
He told League Express: “The referee said he felt unsafe by both sets of players. This situation should never ever happen, the referee is appointed to be in charge of the game, not walk off after 55 minutes. This highlights the issues that’s wrong with the RFL/ NCL trying to fast track referees, which does not work. The referee was nowhere near up to officiating a local derby game, his attitude and demeanour was all wrong from minute one.