Case Number:

ON/1043/22

Karl Dixon #6, Whitehaven

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Dewsbury Rams v Whitehaven RLFC

Match Date:

2022-06-05

Incident:

Trip

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Trips – Intentional Trip

Grade C

Sanctions:

2 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 9 June 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 00:19:02 SharePoint time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you intentionally tripped 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 C offence – Trips – Intentional

The normal suspension range for such offence is from 2 to 3 matches.

• MRP reviewed an incident which occurred in approx. 19 02
• Opponent is coming across the line throws a dummy pass and then steps.
• The player can see that the opponent has stepped.
• Mr Dixon can be seen to move his leg out fully towards the opponent
• This contact takes the opponent down to the ground.
• The leg is outstretched unnaturally the MRP submit
• Act is one of intentional nature as the player cannot affect an appropriate contact to stop opponent close to the try line.
• There is no attempt to tackle legitimately as the player is in the wrong position to affect such a tackle
• MRP submit this was intentional as Mr Ackers can clearly see the opponent and decides to act in this manner by lifting his leg to stop his opponent
• Duty of care owed to opponents as players do not expect to be tripped when playing the sport of Rugby League

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

Player in attendance alongside Jonty Gorley (Head Coach) and Ash Kilpatrick (Director). Player pleads guilty but challenges the grading.

JG argued that whilst the player had over chased the Dewsbury attacker the fact that he made simultaneous contact with his arm and leg shows there was an attempt to make a tackle. It was not an intentional trip and the offence was not worthy of being classed at Grade C.

The club then used a comparison clip (Michael McIlorum – Grade A).

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Grade C due to:
- Heavy contact takes player to ground
- Clear intentional act
- Leg fully stretched
- No attempt to tackle legitimately

Aggravating Factors:

29/09/21 – Strikes (Grade B, 1 match)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions.

It is of course accepted that this was a trip as Mr Dixon had been beaten on his inside and given that his arm is extended in the way that it is and the contact made with the arm is simultaneous The Tribunal are not comfortably satisfied that this was a deliberate trip.

However, we do consider that by extending his leg so far and at that height that this was reckless. Given the force at which the opponent hit Mr Dixon’s leg we are satisfied that this should have been graded at a Grade B.

The challenge is therefore successful, and the player will now be suspended for 1 match.

Suspension:

1 match