Case Number:

ON/959/22

Jake Shorrocks #6, Newcastle

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Bradford Bulls v Newcastle Thunder

Match Date:

2022-05-21

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Other Striking Offences

Grade F

Fine:

£250

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 27 May 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) Other Striking Offences during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 00:35:12 SharePoint time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you became involved in an incident and struck an opponent from behind during the course of a match. You were dismissed following the incident. 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 in breach of Law 15.1(a) – Other Striking offences

The normal suspension range for such offence is 8+ matches or period of suspension.

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place at 35 12 of the footage time.
• Player is dismissed following incident.
• Mr Shorrocks is not involved in the initial melee
• Player runs towards opponent who has back to him and strikes with forearm to the head
• There is potential for such incidents to cause serious injuries to opponents.
• Opponent is vulnerable as not expecting strike to occur.

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

Player in attendance alongside Denis Betts (Director of Rugby). Player pleads guilty, but challenges the grading.

DB agreed it was a cowardly attack but was a reaction to seeing his best friend knocked out and JS panicked and was probably scared but hit with an open hand, did not cause any injury and backed away in fear.

JS added it was out of character for himself and he was sorry for the incident which was caused by a rush of blood and was a wrong decision and in seven years he had never been to an ORT.

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;
- Violent strike
- Intentional act
- Opponent vulnerable
- Potential for serious injury

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions.

The panel decided that the incident was not as severe as the TH case and agreed to reduce the Grade to E imposing a suspension of five matches and a £250 fine.

Suspension:

5 matches