Case Number:

ON/499/22

Will Pryce #1, Huddersfield

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Hull FC v Huddersfield

Match Date:

2022-03-20

Incident:

Dangerous Throw

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (d)

Dangerous Throw - Driving Player into ground on head or neck

Grade F

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

8+

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 21 March 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 1 21 40 Opta time of the above match after which you were sent off for following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you lifted and drove your opponent into the ground and the opponent landed on the head/neck area. 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 (Dangerous Throw – Driving player into the ground on head or neck). The normal suspension range for such offence is an 8+ Match Suspension.

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in approx. 65th minute.
• Mr Pryce was dismissed following the incident.
• The footage shows the opponent Mr Wynne take a loose offload and be contacted by Mr Pryce.
• Mr Pryce can be seen to take a grip with his right arm around the opponents waist and left arm over the opponents shoulder.
• Mr Pryce is then spun around by the momentum of the tackle and lands on his feet.
• Mr Pryce then lifts his opponent taking his opponents feet off the ground.
• Mr Pryce at the highest point of the lift then turns his opponent.
• Mr Pryce then drives his opponent down maintaining the grip around the waist all the way to the ground.
• Mr Wynne lands on his head and neck first upon contacting the ground.
• Mr Wynne is completely vulnerable due to the grip applied by Mr Pryce.
• Potential for serious injury.

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

Player in attendance alongside Ian Watson (Head Coach) and Andy Kelly (Rugby Manager). Player pleads guilty.

AK explained that they did not contest the charge or the grading of the offence. They are aware of the seriousness of the incident.

They felt that in the process of making the tackle WP got into a position he could not then get out of. In mitigation they feel that he immediately recognised the severity of the situation. He checked on his opponent and shook hands as he left the field, whilst he had also been in contact with him since the incident. WP understands what the outcome could have been but there was no intention to cause harm.

The club submit the suggested 12 match suspension would be too much and that the lower end of the grading would be more appropriate. WP has dwelt on his actions and would learn from the experience as he is a young player making his way in the game.

WP addressed the panel and explained his remorse. He explained he didn’t realise how far he had tipped his opponent and said he regretted how things had turned out. He knew the opponent from outside the game and had contacted him afterwards to apologise. This was not intentional, and he would learn from it going forward. He was sorry for his actions and luckily no injury was caused.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Graded F due to;
- Vulnerability of the opponent.
- The highly dangerous action of the player. This is not a recognised tackle technique.
- The potentially serious implications that a tackle of this nature may have. No mitigation that the opponent did not sustain an injury.
- Players have a duty of care to their opponent.

Aggravating Factors:

03/06/21 – Dangerous Throw (Grade A) – 0 matches

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions. They had watched the footage and also read the Referee Dismissal Report. The report does not refer to any injuries sustained as a result of misconduct, however, the potential for injury is plain for all to see. On any view this was a dangerous tackle. This is not a recognised tackle technique and players have a duty of care to their opponents.

This was a horrendous tackle. It was a Dangerous Throw with potentially life-changing consequences for the opponent.

We take into account the fact that you pleaded guilty, your remorse and your relative youth, plus the fact both sides maintain that this was not an intentional act to injure your opposing player.

The Tribunal therefore feel the sanction should be a 10-match suspension. The player will also be fined £500.

Suspension:

10 matches