Case Number:

ON/057/22

Jake Wilson #10, Thornhill

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Doncaster v Thornhill

Match Date:

2022-01-30

Incident:

Dangerous Contact at 35 00

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)

Other Contrary Behaviour

Grade F

Sanctions:

8+

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 3rd February 2022, 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 35th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you lunged at your opponent with your legs after he had broken through the line. The Panel believe that your actions were unnecessary, against the spirit of the game and had the potential to injure your opponent.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence (Other Contrary Behaviour). The normal suspension range for such offence is 8 matches plus.

• Incident occurs in approximately the 35th minute
• Opponent has made a break down field
• Player is chasing back towards the opponent
• The player lunges forward towards the opponent with his legs
• Contact is made with the opponents legs
• No attempt to moderate and use an acceptable tackle technique. Player has intentionally used his own legs to bring the opponent to the ground
• Action is very forceful. Opponent enters at speed and makes contact with opponent who is also travelling at speed
• The nature of the contact is unnecessary and avoidable
• Grade F due to:
- Intentional act
- Acts such as these have no place on a Rugby League pitch
- Brings the game into disrepute
- Potential for serious injury
- No duty of care for opponent

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

JW in attendance alongside Andy Kelly. Player pleads guilty to the charge but challenges the grading.

AK informed the panel that the player felt his was making a legitimate attempt to tackle a player with both of them travelling at a high pace. They feel that the players arms engage with his opponent whilst making the tackle.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have listened to the submissions from both sides and watched footage of the incident.

They have come to agreement that the grading in this instance is indeed correct at Grade F. They feel that the player has intentionally used his legs to affect the tackle on his opponent.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal note for this charge that the player accepts his guilt but challenges the grading.

Having found that the grading is correct the Tribunal agree that there is no place for this kind of action on the pitch.

They therefore feel that the player should be suspended for 12 months.

Suspension:

12 months (totality with x2 other charges)