Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew has demanded neutral referees be used in the Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup. Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse gave the Scarlets a late penalty which Gareth Bowen scored to give his side a 22-20 win, and Andrew was not impressed.
"We didn't think it was a penalty. Llanelli Scarlets were lying over the ball all game," complained Andrew.
"Let's have referees who aren't pushed into very difficult positions. It's not fair on referees in Wales or England."
Andrew, who conceded that Whitehouse was "a very good referee", said he wanted Scottish, Irish or French referees to be brought in to officiate in the tournament.
"There are a lot of decisions that have to be made in tough circumstances, and I don't think we got much of the rub of the green," he added.
On a brighter note for Newcastle, substitute Jonny Wilkinson showed some encouraging form after coming off the bench on 18 minutes.
Wilkinson is on the road to recovery after a recent appendix operation, but helped create both Newcastle tries and kicked two conversions and a penalty.
"I only wanted Jonny on for 40 minutes, but we were forced down that road after Toby Flood injured his ankle in the first minute," said Andrew.
"Jonny went fine - everyone knows that he needs to play rugby."
Llanelli Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins also praised Wilkinson's contribution, and that of his match-winner Bowen.
"Jonny influenced the game when he went on. He's a fantastic player, and I was impressed with him," said Jenkins.
"There was a lot of pressure on Gareth with that penalty, but kicking has always been one of his big strengths. He was the right man at the right time."
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Gareth Bowen was the right man at the right time
