Steve Clark 'not at fault' Print E-mail
Written by Daniel   
Saturday, 08 January 2005 10:00

By Stuart Honeysett and Margie McDonald
August 2, 2005

THE NRL has backed referee Steve Clark over his handling of Sunday's controversial finish to the match between Manly and North Queensland at Brookvale Oval.

Referees' boss Robert Finch reviewed footage yesterday of the finish, in which Clark restarted play even though Manly goalkicker Chris Hicks was not in position. He was jogging back after landing a conversion to put his team in front.

The Cowboys capitalised on him being out of position with a shallow kickoff to his side of the field and regained possession before snatching a 26-24 win when winger Ty Williams scored in the corner.

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler is scheduled to talk to Finch today about the matter but he is unlikely to convince him that Clark had erred.
Footage shows that Hicks took the kick from 10 metres out and virtually right in front and was beaten back to the halfway line by the eager Cowboys who had been behind the goal-line when the conversion was attempted.

"We've had a process in place for three years that we restart play ... when the officials are ready and that's what he did," Finch said.

"If you look on eagle cam it took him (Hicks) 13 seconds to come from the kick to halfway."

www.foxsports.com.au




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