I've now watched this a number of times too. Guess everyone will have a slightly different view - perhaps including the Disciplinary Panel.
My take is that Manning assaults Sam by running in, certainly with one and possibly both forearms raised. He has no intention of making a legal tackle and is so late that I imagine most of us couldn't be sure what actually happened when watching the game live. At the point impact, both his feet are appear to be off the ground.
Manning then starts a fight with Liam who was in there as a peacemaker. As if he needs to do any more to secure his long rest from the game he then starts it all again by running at Liam like a windmill in a gale after both teams had separated.
Much as we would like to see Kurt get off - he throws too many, running in twice to protect his team mates.
Overall this was another superhuman performance from our boys - Manning gave the Leigh lads (and I guess us fans also) the extra adrenalin rush we all needed to get us through.
We all hope Sam is feeling much better by now. His MOM performance was very special and each of his sublime trademark offloads were worth the admission money on there own.
What a fantastic season we are having - let's aim to raise the attendance level (and the roof) yet again against Barrow tomorrow - this one is for Sam Barlow.
Let's also trust that Bobby Goulding will be a lot smarter than some of the other coaches who seem to believe that by roughing things up they will have a better chance of staying in the game. We have proved time and again this season that this tactic won't work against our master tactician and the ultimate pro (Paul Rowley) and his totally focussed charges.