Case Number:

ON/960/22

Thomas Holroyd #34, Bradford

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Bradford Bulls v Newcastle Thunder

Match Date:

2022-05-21

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Running In and Punching – Makes contact to the Head of the opponent

Grade F

Fine:

£250

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 27 May 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) 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 punched numerous opponents in the head 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) – Punching – Sustained, and Repeated or Violent.

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

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

Player in attendance alongside Rohan Smith (Head Coach). Player pleads guilty.

TH read out a prepared statement apologising and showing regret his actions which were out of character. He had recently returned from a pre-season injury and was on loan at Bradford to get some game time. His Club were making a psychologist available to him whilst he would not be playing due to the inevitable suspension.

In mitigation TH claim to have been grabbed “in the privates”, which he admitted the footage didn’t show, has his head pushed down and told to “get up you xxxx”. When the fighting started he did try to back away but with players running at him he was trying to defend himself.

RS added that there were rules about running in and the number of people running in escalated the situation and TH was looking to withdraw after the first punch but felt he had to defend himself.

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place at 35 12 of the footage time.
• Player is dismissed following incident.
• Mr Holroyd reacts to push at the ruck with two violent punches to the head of the opponent who is not focused on the player.
• Player then leaves that melee and is approached by another opponent.
• Mr Holroyd pushes opponent in face with left hand before punching with right hand to the head of the opponent.
• Opponent falls to the floor due to the punch.
• Player then is confronted outside the melee by another opponent and punches the opponent in the head with another punch.
• Player then throws another punch to the head of the same opponent.
• 5 violent punches thrown in total which connect with the head of the opponent.
• One punch causes opponent to fall to the floor.
• There is potential for such incidents to cause serious injuries to opponents.
• 2 of opponents vulnerable as not expecting punching to occur.

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 and sustained/repeated punching
- Intentional act
- Opponents vulnerable
- Potential for serious injury

Aggravating Factors:

26/10/20 – Dangerous Contact (Grade A – 0 matches)
12/10/20 – Dangerous Contact (Caution)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions.

In making their decision the panel felt that the opposition players were not vulnerable and that given his age, previous record and the fact that he was returning from injury a suspension of 10 matches plus a £250 fine was appropriate.

Suspension:

10 matches