Case Number:

ON/161/23

Lewis Wray #17, Hunslet

Competition:

League One

Match:

Hunslet v North Wales Crusaders

Match Date:

2023-03-05

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Strikes – Punching - Punching – sustained and, repeated or violent - makes contact with the Head of an opponent

Grade E

Sanctions:

4-6

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 9th March 2023, 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 1 26 10 SharePoint footage time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you have thrown multiple punches, some of which have connected with the head of your opponent. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause injury and are against the true spirit of the game.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade E offence – Strikes – Punching - Punching – sustained and, repeated or violent - makes contact with the Head of an opponent.

The normal suspension range for such offence is 4 to 6 matches.

• Incident occurs at 1 26 10 SharePoint time.

• Mr Wray was dismissed because of his actions.

• Following a tackle, Mr Wray is confronted by an opponent who rushes towards him so he is not the instigator of the incident.

• At first Mr Wray appears to be grabbing a hold of his opponent however the MRP submit that Mr Wray then throws the first punch that glances the back of his opponent’s head.

• Both Mr Wray and his opponent then trade punches with the MRP submitting a further punch from Mr Wray connects with the back of his opponent’s head.

• The MRP believe whilst Mr Wray does not instigate the initial confrontation, this cannot be classed as self-defence as Mr Wray first grapples with the opponent, but it is then he who throws the first punch.

• Grade E due to:
- Multiple punches thrown, two of which connect with the head area.
- Potential for injury. Area of concern for the game
- Violent act which brings the sport into disrepute and portrays the game in a negative light.

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

Player in attendance alongside Damian Irvine (Director). Player pleads Guilty to an offence, however, the club feel that the charge is incorrect and should be amended to Punching – self-defence – makes contact with Head of opponent.

DI talked the Tribunal through the footage. He explained it showed the opponent throw two punches – one when on the ground and one when stood up – that connected before JW reacted.

LW talked the Tribunal through the incident. He explained that he had made the tackle and then peeled off to stand at second marker. He felt one of the punches clip his jaw but did not react as he moved back into position. The opponent then stood up and pushed the first marker out of the way before confronting him and he reacted as he was trying to defend himself.

DI continued that the opponent was the aggressor in this incident, yet JW had been given the same charge. The club felt that this was unfair and inconsistent. He felt any player would struggle to not react after taking punches from an opponent and both were punches, not with an open hand as had been suggested by the Compliance Manager.

The club felt that the charge should be amended and that the grading should be Grade B or C. JW was not the instigator and his actions were him defending himself.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thanked both sides for their submissions.

After listening to both sides and watching the footage the Tribunal feel that the players actions were consistent with someone who was defending himself.

They therefore feel that the charge should be amended to a different one from within the 15.1 (a) rule, namely “Punching – self-defence – makes contact with Head of opponent” at a Grade C level.

Given the players clean previous disciplinary record he will therefore be given a 1-match suspension.

Suspension:

1 match