Ian Watson left disappointed and frustrated with referee decisions in Salford’s loss at Widnes

Salford coach Ian Watson was ‘disappointed and frustrated’ with refereeing decisions following his sides defeat at Widnes.

The Red Devils were 10-6 to the good at the break and could have been further ahead had Derrell Olpherts’ effort been given by the video referee.

But they were dealt a blow in the second half. Lama Tasi was sent to the sin bin and the Vikings went on to win the game 24-16 at the Halton Stadium.

And Watson disagreed with some of referee Ben Thaler’s decisions in the televised clash.

He said: “I was disappointed, especially after how we were in the first 65 minutes.

“I felt like we were in control of the game and were winning the game and obviously the sin-bin didn’t help us at that point.

“It’s disappointing and frustrating. We felt like we had the game when we took the two points from in front of the posts and we felt pretty in control at that point. The knock-on effect happened, our energy from defending with 12 men decreased and we gave penalties away on the back of that.

“They got Lama again when he came back on for a high tackle. I think in any other game, Thaler would have played on. It seems like if anybody stays down now in a Sky game, they always go back (for a penalty). I feel a bit hard done to on that situation.”

Thaler awarded Olpherts’ effort as a try on-field but it went upstairs and after a couple of minutes viewing, it was chalked off by video referee Phil Bentham.

And Watson thinks decisions need to be made a little bit clear when it comes to video referees in general.

He added: “Derrell is adamant that he was set in the field of play, but the screen camera shows that his foot is near the touchline.

“The referee has given a try on-field and then the video referee looks at it about 10-15 times. I think if you need to look at it 10 times then you go with the referee’s decision.

“We scored a couple of tries at Salford last year on Sky and they looked at it like 15 times. Some games, they look at it twice and then give the try because it is with benefit of doubt with the referee. They like to look at it 15 times first and then go against the referee.

“If he has given a try and had to look at it 10 times, he has got doubt, so go with what the referee has given. It’s frustrating and disappointing.”