Case Number:

ON/791/22

Lucas Walshaw #12, Batley

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Widnes Vikings v Batley Bulldogs

Match Date:

2022-04-24

Incident:

Crusher Tackle

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 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:

£250

Sanctions:

2 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 28 April 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 at 00:44:01 SharePoint time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you applied pressure to the neck/head injury of your opponent. The Panel believed that your actions 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 – Behaves in any way contrary to the true spirit of the game (includes 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 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 1 to 2 matches.

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place at 44 01 of the footage time.
• The footage shows the opponent take a ball into contact and is contacted by Mr Walshaw
• The opponent spins himself and places himself back towards Mr Walshaw
• Mr Walshaw then takes a grip of the opponent under their left arm and holds the opponent tight to his body
• Another Batley player comes in to the back of Mr Walshaw at this stage
• Mr Walshaw can then be seen to go down with the player to the floor maintaining this grip
• The player applies pressure for a period of time before releasing the opponent to the side
• There is potential for such incidents to cause serious injuries to opponents.

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

Player in attendance alongside Craig Lingard (Head Coach) and Paul Harrison (CEO). Player pleads Guilty but challenges the grading.

CL talked the panel through the incident and explained that he felt a teammate contributed to the way the tackle was complete. He believes that the opponent also turns into position and that he gave his legs away in order to hit the ground. This action meant that LW followed down on top of him with additional pressure coming from the teammate.

The club believes LW can’t stay on his feet and that he loses his grip in the process of the tackle and he has no control over his teammate. The opponent is looking for a quick play the ball and there are no complaints from the opponent or opposition.

PH added he felt the opponent tries rolling to his right in order to get to ground.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Graded B due to;
- Vulnerability of the opponent.
- The highly dangerous action of the player
- Reckless, not careless. Player had other means in which to safely complete the tackle.
- 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 opponents.

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions.

This is a case of an unacceptable “crusher tackle” by a large forward on a winger who was pinned in a vulnerable position and which carried a very real risk of serious injury.

Lucas Walshaw (LW) tackled a Widnes winger and there was nothing wrong with that initial contact.

In making that initial tackle LW sought to hold the winger’s upper body as the winger spun himself and placed his back towards LW.

The winger then went to the floor whilst still being held by LW who maintained his hold of him.

LW went down on top of the winger and his full body weight bore down dangerously on him and on his head/neck in particular. LW maintained his hold of the winger in that process.

Another Batley player came in behind LW as the tackle was being made but he made little real contribution to the ‘crusher tackle’ that was being effected by LW.

Although it was suggested on behalf of LW that the winger was the author of his own misfortune by going to ground rather than being taken to the ground by LW, the Tribunal cannot accept that interpretation of what happened. The winger was much more taken to the ground by LW’s tackle than going there of his own volition.

In any event, however the winger went to the floor the maintenance of the hold by LW with his weight coming onto the buckled up winger was plainly wrong and could/should have been avoided.

In these circumstances the Tribunal has no hesitation in Grading this case as a Grade B offence. It cannot be seen, as argued for by Batley, as a lesser Grade A matter.

The range of penalty for a Grade B offence is 1-2 matches suspension.

Given LW’s disciplinary record it is inevitable that he should now be suspended for 2 matches, together with a £250 fine. The deposit of £250 will be forfeited.

Suspension:

2 matches