Case Number:

ON/1053/22

Rhiannon Marshall #27, York

Competition:

Womens Super League

Match:

York City Knights v Leeds Rhinos

Match Date:

2022-06-05

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Strikes – Punching - Reaction to opponent – lashing out -– makes contact with Head of opponent

Grade D

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Not Guilty

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) Other Striking Offences during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 00:43:02 SharePoint time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you became involved in an incident and punched an opponent during the course of a match making contact with the head. 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 D offence in breach of Law 15.1(a) – Punching/Other Striking Offences – Reaction to opponent – Lashing Out.

The normal suspension range for such offence is 3-5 matches or period of suspension.

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place at 43 02 of the footage time.
• Player is dismissed following incident.
• Miss Marshall takes the ball into contact off a ruck with a left hand carry
• Player is met by 3 tacklers. One initially goes low and then another opponent attempts to go low.
• Player can be seen to lunge forward towards opponent with her right arm however footage does not show the point of contact.
• There is a melee immediately after the incident involving both sets of players.
• The referee and touch judges are looking directly at the incident.
• The report states the following; During an upright tackle, Number 27 punched a Leeds defender direct to the head with a closed fist. Touch judge (Jordan Powell) also informed me there was flexion in the neck due to the punch. I am unsure if there was any provocation in the incident.
• Given the report and the footage the MRP are satisfied that the incident has occurred.
• There is potential for such incidents to cause injuries to opponents.

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

Player in attendance alongside Daryl North (Assistant Coach). Player pleads Not Guilty.

The player did admit to pushing her opponent in the head having been “nipped” in the tackle by an opponent.

The Referee and nearest Touch Judge were both called as witnesses and confirmed they had witnessed Ms Marshall throw a clenched fist into the head of the opponent, the latter also witnessing flexion as the punch made contact.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal were of the opinion that they could not be satisfied on the evidence of the Referee, however, the evidence of the Touch Judge was more impressive. He had an unobstructed view of the incident and was in close proximity. He was unmoved by the suggestion that this was a push to the head as opposed to a punch and was sure of what he saw.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Graded D due to;
- Punch making direct contact
- Intentional act
- Opponent is not expecting the action - vulnerable
- Potential for injury

Aggravating Factors:

06/06/2019 – Trips, Kicks, Strikes (4 matches)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal find that there was a deliberate punch to the head of the opponent and the Tribunal agree that a Grade D charge is the appropriate grade for this charge.

The player is therefore suspended for 4 matches.

Suspension:

4 matches