Official West Hartlepool RFC

Reckon you are right about a "maul" as described must be "truck and trailer" however watched many games this season on the box where it seems this has been forgotten that it is illegal but nothing to be done now. Sounds a close contest as would be expected for two sides needing the points. Seems the guys put in a good effort although being pushed in the scrum and line out not working is a concern. I remember the Ilkley game where we had the superiority in the first half and then it completely changed in the second!!! Two big home games but we MUST sneak an away win too!! Bad luck WEST

Sounds like we put plenty of effort in without any reward. If we keep on doing that for 80 minutes every game we will get our rewards in the end

With regards the maul, many refs get this wrong, but at the same time it can be confusing for all to understand what the situation is.

If a maul exists and the attacking side break away with the ball, and no opponents attached, then it is obstruction (truck and trailer), and the defence cannot be penalised for maul offences.

If the defence intentionally break from the maul, the maul still exists and the defenders can be penalised for any maul offence.

Not being at the game on Saturday I cant comment on what the ref did. His decision can only be judged on whether or not he applied the 2 aspects above correctly.

Hope this helps.

Seems sensible enough rules to me. However don't believe any side would intentionally break away from the maul but it would be obvious if they did!!! Thanks for info!!

The general feeling of both Alnwick and ourselves was that you described exactly what we felt happened i.e

"If a maul exists and the attacking side break away with the ball, and no opponents attached, then it is obstruction (truck and trailer), and the defence cannot be penalised for maul offences. "

Stu and Ryan were in their proper half back positions and went to tackle the player in the breakaway trio who had the ball.

It has to be said that this is not meant as ref bashing as he had a good game and,in any case, was allowing play to go on after awarding Alnwick a penalty at the proper maul.