Lightning Challenge: Reason why clash was called off early
The reason behind the early ending to Saturday’s Lightning Challenge clash between the Northern Pride Giants and Cairns Brothers can be revealed.
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The reason behind the early ending to Saturday’s Lightning Challenge clash between the Northern Pride Giants and Cairns Brothers can be revealed.
The match had a bit of fire in it. The Pride’s Bernard Lewis was sin-binned after a minor scuffle in the 21st minute, while Brothers’ Dennis Dau was sent off for throwing a punch after a fairly innocuous lifting tackle in the 66th minute.
A melee broke out and lasted for all of 20 seconds after players from both sides rushed in.
After the penalty went the Pride’s way, Brothers players and on-field trainers took exception to the call and didn’t hold back in voicing their displeasure.
A decision was made by the match official to call the game off with 13 minutes remaining.
“I’m not playing on with the abuse from Brothers,” he could be heard saying on the ref mic.
At the time, the Northern Pride Giants were leading 28-0.
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“What happened at the end was out of our hands,” Pride coach Ty Williams said.
“We gotta remember our officials do a great job as well and if it’s a duty of care, obviously they felt that the game needed to be called off.”
Originally published as Lightning Challenge: Reason why clash was called off early