Oberon and Orange CYMS contested the Group 10 grand final on Sunday. CYMS won 23-22, but the match wasn’t completed.

I was very interested in Michael Sullivan claiming that his actions – running back to his try line – was because it was a “competitive sport” and he wanted to “guarantee victory”.

Followers of rugby league have seen many matches turn around in the final few seconds. Sullivan denied Oberon the opportunity to compete in the final part of the match.

He took the competition or contest out of the game when he retreated in the 79th minute.

Rugby league is one of the toughest sports and wimps shouldn’t take part. If an opponent retreats wouldn’t that signal that he didn’t want to compete?

HAVE YOUR SAY ...

Oberon supporters watched in amazement, and I’m sure expected the referee to inflict a penalty as they should also do for voluntary tackles (just ask Phil Gould).

Instead, he blew his whistle at the 80th minute.

There we have his fait accompli – something irreversible without going through standard procedure, making opposition or argument useless.

I would like to congratulate Luke Branighan on not only getting Oberon to the grand final, but also on his mature and dignified response to the loss.

It was a great match but Sullivan’s actions made it a sad, sad day for fairness and sportsmanship.