Just been watching the Catalan/Hudds game and Luke Robinson was harshly sent off for an off the ball tackle. Pryce took the line on and dummied to the player running off his shoulder. Robinson tackled this player hard (but if he had the ball it would have been a good hit) and Child went to his pocket and sent him off. This was after the crowd had chance to see 4 or 5 replays on the screen too. It was never a red, or a yellow for that matter, just a penalty IMO.

Funnily enough, Child said it was for a late tackle. How can it be a late tackle if the guy never had the ball?

Bloody French crowd... Bloody Child

Child seems to me to referee the Dragons at home on a fairly frequent basis although I don't have any accurate records to prove or disprove this.
I wonder if this plays any part in them getting the bulk of penalties awarded?

100% right.

Child is hopeless at the best of times. today he was a disgrace.

Mr Gausch's gimp could not deliver the French the game today despite his best efforts.

Seems like the key to beating Catalans on their ground is to have a man sent off.

Or just turn up and put in a decent performance.

Without Dureau they are a shockingly poor side comprised of mediocre local products and overseas players stealing a living. They add nothing to the competition other than a jolly awayday for fans.

James Child started getting SL games in March 2009.

Taking the 58 Les Catalans home Regular Round games + 4 Play-Off ties - season 2009 to date - the referee list for their home games looks like this:

12 - Ben Thaler
10 - James Child, Richard Silverwood
9 - Steve Ganson
7 - Thierry Alibert
5 - Ian Smith
4 - Phil Bentham
2 - Robert Hicks, Tim Roby
1 - Gareth Hewer

Within that overall timeframe Child's first game in Perpignan was during May 2010 which means he has controlled 10 of their most recent 42 home Regular Round and Play-Off fixtures - 24%

Paul Andersons comment on Saturdays game at Catalans. Anderson was tight-lipped over the sending-off of Robinson but admitted the incident re-energised his team.

"I am very angry but I like my money

I know Bentham has had some time out due to injury, but only four Catalan home games in that period? Seems an incredibly low number.

Whoa whoa whoa. They're a decent, competitive side that often make the playoffs and get very good home crowds. What do longtime stalwarts of English Rugby League Cas and Salford (who played out a game of touch and pass in front of two and a half thousand yesterday) bring to the competition, in comparison?