Case Number:

ON/1312/22

Adam Lawton #12, Widnes

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Widnes Vikings v Newcastle Thunder

Match Date:

2022-07-17

Incident:

High Tackle

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (b)

High Tackle – Reckless – tried to tackle but reckless about outcome.

Grade C

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 21 July 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(b) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 01:15:35 SharePoint time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you made contact with the head of your opponent in attempting to make a tackle. 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 High Tackle – Reckless About the Outcome – When tackling or attempting to tackle contacted with the head or neck of opponent.

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

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in approx. 60th minute.
• Mr Lawton was dismissed following the incident.
• Opponent Mr Woods steps back towards the defensive line where Mr Lawton reacts to this.
• Mr Lawton brings his arm up to make a tackle however makes initial contact with the head of his opponent.
• The footage shows it is initial contact with the head as the head goes straight backwards upon impact. If it was secondary contact, the head would come forward initially.
• This is supported by the match referee’s Matthew Rossleigh’s report which states the following:
Newcastle Thunder’s Josh Woods took the ball to the line and was tackled high by Widnes’ Adam Lawton. I ruled that Lawton’s tackle had made direct contact to the head of Woods and was forceful. After separating the players, I then issued a red card to Lawton.”
• Mr Woods the opponent, is not at an unreasonable height upon contact.
• Mr Lawton has made no adaptions to drop his height to not make contact with the head.
• MRP do accept this is an attempt to tackle and not a strike.
• The contact however is forceful. The opponent requires medical attention following the incident.
• Potential to cause opponent injury.

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

Player not in attendance but represented by John Kear (Head Coach) and Ryan O’Brien (Assistant Coach). Player pleads guilty but challenges the grading.

JK argued that AL was on his mettle as he had to defend the very near by try line and had to therefore advance rapidly and forcefully. The contact to the head was a consequence of a very good long pass which disrupted the ordinary defensive line and brought AL into a tackle that he wouldn’t have otherwise been called upon to make. The attacking player went low as he approached AL and indeed was probably slipping to the floor which explained how AL’s contact was to the head.

JK showed a comparative incident which he argued was no worse that AL’s contact and yet had been deemed to be only a Grade A “careless” offence.

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:
- Forceful contact. Medical attention is required.
- Initial contact is with the head.
- Opponent is at a reasonable height upon contact.
- Player has not moderated in any way to avoid contact with the head.
- Potential to cause the opponent injury

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal does not accept the arguments raised by JK on AL’s behalf.

This was a very high and forceful contact directly to the head resulting in the need for medical attention. It cannot be classes as a simple careless act. It was clearly reckless and merited a Grade C finding. It was a much worse contact & offence than the comparative incident where less forceful contact was made with that contact being initially lower down the body and somewhat from the side.

The imposition of a 2-match suspension is an entirely proper outcome for this offence and indeed it sirs comfortably within the Normal Range within the Sentencing Guidelines.

The 2-match suspension is therefore confirmed. A fine of £250 must also attach to the outcome of this case together with a forfeiting of the £250 bond.

Suspension:

2 matches