Case Number:

ON/281/21

Liam Watts #8, Castleford

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Castleford v Salford

Match Date:

2021-05-08

Incident:

Late hit on the passer in the 74th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)
Dangerous Contact - A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes excessive flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.
Grade B

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

1 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenge the grading

Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 10th May 2021, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 74th minute of the above Match. You were temporarily dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion in making a tackle you struck your opponent after they had released the ball and caused excessive flexion of the neck/spinal column. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary and had the potential to cause your opponent injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence (Dangerous Contact - A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes excessive flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 to 2 Match Suspension.

In response to the comparison clip (Lannon – Salford v Hull FC) the CM agreed that is was late, however it differed due to the minimum force used, the limited flexation caused to the opponent.

The CM introduced a comparison clip (Sene-Lefao – Castleford v Leigh) which was Graded at Grade B.

Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Player in attendance alongside Jon Wells (Director of Rugby).

JW informed the tribunal that they were pleading guilty to the offence but challenging the grading.

They explained the player had 0.2 seconds to react after the ball was passed by the opponent before impact occurred and that the incident was not malicious. The club are not disputing that it was a late hit, however, they were talking about the level of force that was used. It is very difficult for players to make split second decisions and the club do not believe that the player is a malicious person.

LW then talked the panel through the incident. He explained that it was a big game and it was his man that he was about to come into contact with. There was no intent to hurt his opponent and he had just 0.2 seconds to adjust and that he couldn’t stop or pull out in that time. He was aware that there had been a lot like this and he understood why they were trying to remove them form the game. At the speed he was going it was hard to pull out and he felt he just tried to nudge the opponent.

The club used a comparison clip (Lannon – Salford v Hul FC) in which the player received a Caution for the incident. The felt that this charge was very similar and thought the charge been challenged should be down graded as such. this they felt would provide consistency.

In response to the comparison clip (Sene-Lefao – Castleford v Leigh) JW told the panel he agreed with the grading at Grade B, hence why the club accepted the penalty notice that was imposed at the time.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Reasons for Decision:

It is accepted that this was a late hit and as such the challenge to this penalty notice is the grading at Grade B.

Mr Watts accepts that he got it wrong and would accept a lesser grade, however, it is submitted that Grade B is too high. The reasons given being that contact was unavoidable given the length of time that he had to react; the degree of force of the impact was not significant, the amount of flexion of Mr Taylors body was also not that significant.

A comparable clip has been submitted which it is submitted is very similar to this offence where the MRP deemed that it was a caution.

We do not accept these submissions.

It is clear to us that he can see the situation unfolding before him – he can see that the ball has gone – we accept that whilst there is not a significant period of time to adjust no attempt is in fact made to adjust his position. He does not make any attempt to wrap his arms which would have lessened the propulsion of Taylor forwards thereby reducing the degree of flexion of the head or neck of Mr Taylor.

There is no attempt to alter his run. But more than that we take the view that in fact there was a turning of the shoulder into Mr Taylor’s back which if anything increased the degree of force with which he made contact. There was significant flexion and the player was temporarily injured. Accordingly we are of the view that the grading at Grade B is correct.

In respect of the comparison clip (Lannon – Salford v Hull FC) we agree with the MRP assessment that this was a caution. It was more a bump or nudge to the opposing player with much less force and flexion. In relation to the other comparison clip (Sene-Lefao – Castleford v Leigh) we take the view he was perhaps fortunate to be graded at Grade B.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in approx. 74th minute
• Player was temporarily dismissed following the incident
• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Watts makes contact with his opponent.
• Opponent Mr Taylor takes ball forward then moves laterally before releasing the ball
• Mr Watts can clearly see opponent has released the ball however carries on into contact
• Player makes no attempt to wrap the ball. There is no attempt to make a tackle
• The contact is forceful. Significant flexion of the head/neck area
• An injury has occurred to the opponent
• This contact was reckless and dangerous.
• Graded B due to;
- Late contact
- No attempt to tackle
- Significant force

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The club felt that their challenge was not frivolous. They had used a comparison clip that was available to them and felt it was objective to argue the degree of force used in the incident.

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal feel that it was not reasonable to argue against this being a Grade B offence due to the reasons listed earlier. The Tribunal are comfortably satisfied that is was appropriately charged and accordingly think that it was unreasonable to challenge the penalty notice.

They therefore will, in accordance with the rule, as we are obliged to do, impose an additional match penalty to that contained within the original penalty notice. This means Mr Watts will be suspended for two matches and will be fined £500.

The club will also lose the £500 bond that was submitted to bring the challenge.

Suspension:

2 matches