Obviosuly he knew he was shielding Atkins, but he didn't do anything illegal. He ran in a straight line at a constant pace. If folk are saying what he did was illegal than they're saying he should have stopped running as a support player and moved to allow a player to tackle Atkins.

It wasn't as obvious, but Jefferies did the same thing last week at Wakefield. Its just a bit of gamesmanship. No different to getting up off a player in a tackle as slowly as the ref will allow you.

That makes no sense at all

Just watched the SL round-up programme on Sky and noticed that Danny Orr did exactly the same type of run 'in support' of Griffin's break-away try for Cas on Friday night. It could even be argued that Orr did change direction to impede the defender, unlike Riley; there was however no penalty and no outcry.

Looks like the difference was the Bradford players decision to run into Riley to milk the penalty, rather than go after Atkins - he fooled the Sky pundits but thankfully, not the ref. I wonder if Eddie will be issuing an apology to Riley for stridently accusing him of playing outside 'the spirit of the game?'

I think Hemmings should apologise.

If a supporting player is behind the ball he surely has the right to run wherever he likes, at whatever speed he likes, even to stop dead if he wants too to get ready for the next play if there is one.

I don't think it is possible to obstruct a defender who is running back towards his own line AND behind the ball, except for pulling back.