Hull coach Peter Gentle criticised the decision to send off Sam Moa during his side's 22-14 victory against London Broncos.
'The decision was an over-reaction,' says Hull boss
Hull coach Peter Gentle believes his side paid the price for being the last game of the weekend after seeing his player Sam Moa sent off in their 22-14 victory against London Broncos.
The hosts were cruising to a first Stobart Super League win of the season before Moa's red card for his challenge on Broncos' hooker Julien Rinaldi opened the door for the visitors to score two late tries and stage a late fightback.
Hull held on to earn the praise of their coach, although Moa's exit - which stunned his team-mates and the home crowd - could have proved costly.
Gentle said: "I think the decision was an over-reaction because the games I have seen over the weekend there was plenty of opportunities for players to be sent off.
"That's the problem being the last game at the weekend, you bear the brunt of what has happened in previous games over the weekend.
"I don't think it was a sending off offence, but we'll let the judiciary panel decide whether he gets charged or not, but I think it was an over-reaction.
"The sending off gave them a lift, we came under pressure, so for us to be able to do what we did in the last 20 minutes after what had gone on and losing the players as we did, it was a tremendous effort and I can't speak highly enough of how proud of the players I am."
Stronger
London coach
Rob Powell was less committal when asked about the decision which almost turned the game in his side's favour.
Admitting he has seen worse, Powell was more concerned about why his side waited until having a man advantage before they found their feet in the game.
He explained: "The mood in the dressing room is 'why did we wait so long to get going?'
"Hull losing a player made it a bit easier, but it wasn't so much that it was the mentality of what we were doing which changed.
"We sped up our play, defended a lot stronger and had more purpose about what we were doing.
"It is just a shame it took something like a sending off to spark us into action because for the first 60 minutes we didn't do too much and didn't challenge Hull as much as we should have done.
"I'll need to see the sending off again, but I don't think there was an elbow there and it didn't seem a ridiculous challenge.
"He has caught Julien and he has left the field and not come back, but it is too hard for me to make a call without reviewing it. There has been much worse though."
