Agree with most of what you say there, but there are plenty of excellent players throughout the league who don't/didn't attract the same reaction as Tomkins (Roby, Burgess, Buderus, Monaghan, Puletua, Dobson, Richards, Hoffman etc etc).

I'm sure a fair bit of it is jealousy, but a fair bit is also the way he plays the game at times. If you were completely honest you'd probably admit that - he can be pretty objectionable.

And they can go in to try and dislodge the ball with an open hand as well and if anything that is the better technique because if it doesn't come loose you can try and get your hand underneath the ball and prevent the player grounding it. A swinging arm with a clenched fist is bound to get the player accused of deliberate foul play and it's naive to think otherwise. I have no doubt the RFL will over analyse it and let him off.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

Im not the one who is resorting to childish name calling, I think you're the one who needs to grow up.

Everything in my post is true. Bradford are in real trouble at the moment, on an off the pitch. The attendance from Bradford fans highlighted that yesterday, i've never seen a Super League ground so empty in the home stands. Funny thing is, I actually felt sorry for Bradford before yesterday, and I posted on your board before the match that I was hoping for a close match with a spirited Bradford performance and I walked away from the ground happy with what I saw untill some of your so called fans started swearing abuse at a group of us including my five year old nephew.

Knowing the lad, I find the term 'objectionable' to be complete nonsense, and coming from someone who doesn't know him, little more than a childish attempt to justify your feelings.

I can accept that Sam tries to get away with what he can in terms of rule-bending - but that's not unusual for cheeky halfbacks, as they used to be called - and by no stretch of the imagination does it justify this wave of juvenile loathing.

It's pretty clear to me that 95% of the dislike owes to fear and jealousy, and maybe, from certain opposing playes, a bit of cowardice. Sam is only a slightly built chap. I'd like to see a cardboard tank like Raynor try to plant one on Hoffman, Burgess or Puletua. Or even, back in their day, Andy Gregory or Alex Murphy. That would have been a match-up worth watching. Not.

I have watched the game back and I'm a little confused by the comment from Nobby. Why did Tomkins being substituted after the incident not count against the interchanges? Or did he also have a brain fart moment?

You cannot be real.

We have had amongst the highest average crowds in SL this season. When you or Leeds are away, usually the highest in the weekly rounds. And we gave the champions a good run for their money yesterday. Only a fool would form a judgment by the disappointing-but-expected crowd at a challenge cup match on TV in an open stadium with bad weather and an underperforming team in a poor city. What were the crowds at the other CC matches involving SL teams this year? Or last year? Come on!

Your comments against Bradford were uncalled-for and unjustified. Your judge-and-jury statements about the incident appear very partisan. Only Raynor knew what he was doing - or trying to do. You cannot possibly know, and neither for that matter can I. We can only form a view based on the likely probabilities. Can you be sure "beyond reasonable doubt"? I suggest not. And you allow "some" of our local idiots (we all have them - even Wigan, historically amongst the best in fans' behaviour IMO) to determine your opinion of Bradford Bulls. In that case, I'm afraid I have no alternative but to stand by my "pillock" description. Shame, because I suspect you are normally quite a sensible poster who has become swept along a bit with the emotion of the incident and some of the dumbass postings about it?

For the record, I'm a Leeds supporter and, so far, I agree with AdeyBull and FearTheVee.

I'd say ...

Malicious? No.
Reckless? Probably.
Sending-off sufficient? Probably.
Targetting Tomkins? Give over, there were plenty of other opportunities for that.

I was watching on TV and my initial thought (jaundiced by having seen him cheat before) was that Tomkins was milking it.
But he wasn't and that became clear quite quickly.
Hope he's fine now.

I just started to write out a reply to this but I just cant be bothered. Have it your way mate, everything is fine at Bradford of course, your getting great attendances and im sure when you put the season ticket prices back up everyone will still be there. Raynor was of course trying to punch the ball out, he shouldnt have been given a red card he should have stayed on and would have probably scored loads of trys off the back of Bradfords fantastic attack to take them into the next round because they are a great team and their position in the league is a false one.

give over

I've underlined all the relevant bits. Nothing else needs to be said.

Well said.

Quote the time where he cheated by lying down, pretending that he had taken a hit. Was it against Ablett? I remember Sinfield staying down when young Farrell turned his back whilst charging a kick. As soon as the penalty was awarded, Sinfield sprang to his feet.

I'd love some examples...apart from trapping the arm which cannot be the reason for such hatred.

Don't make me laugh El Barbudo - You would agree with Adey Bull and Fear the Vee wouldn't you. You are from Leeds after all.

If Sam had done it to Shad Royston, Paul Welland or Brent Webb it would be a different story. You would all be saying it was intentionally malicious, he should be banned for life etc etc because you are jealous of his skill and hate him for it.

There is no way you would be saying it was unintentional, he was playing the ball and sending off sufficient like you are with Raynor.