dont the rules say ..the referee is the sole timekeeper?..therefore the clock operators would in effect be over ruling him?

In case it stops working. Two recent games at the DW I've been doing radio commentary on, the clock hasn't been working full stop. The Bradford game being one of them. So they'd need to have some clue of the timing themselves.

For reference the Wigan coaching staff are generally stood on the tv gantry. The time keepers are generally on the back row of the press box, which is in front of the west stand directors box.

Which implies Childs was at fault if the time keepers were waiting for him to start the clock.

That might have been the case when they had club volunteers (one from each club wasn't it?) doing the timekeeping. But its a solo person doing it now appointed by the RFL. Gerry Kershaw was tonights time keeper at Wigan. Common sense should of prevailed IF Child hadn't restarted the clock surely?

Good question but one that leads to several others. What does common sense mean for a start! A full set of six on a stopped clock would imply a total lack if it.

The next question is, if the ref forgets to start the clock when should the timekeeper start it? It shouldnot be his responsibility IMO.

Why don't we have a 3rd ref in the stands in the on-field refs ear saying you forget to start the clock?

As an aside this is not the first non-sky match I have been to that the west stand clock has stopped working.

Overall it is just poor for the game. It's a shame that we're having to talk about it and not just focus on a very entertaining game from some talented youngsters. Incidentally, who put the huge bomb up that led to our try? It was an absolute corker! Up there with brough for that particular effort IMO. More of that please.

Of course there is human error, but I'd have thought the system should be almost fool proof (biting my tongue). Imagine if that was a semi-final. I know it'd be on the sky clock but surely the system is the same?

Pretty sure it was Hampshire. He kicked the 40/20 too.

Powell kicked the 40/20

For future reference, where is the clock? I could only see the one on the main scoreboard with the actual time on it

In a really stupid place but I am saying that from an away fans point of view as you have to run down to the front row of the stand to have any chance to see it.

It's slightly angled so the press box can see it so not sure it can be seen from the away end?