Case Number:

ON/198/23

Jake Williams #13, Orrell St James

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Orrell St James v Midlands Hurricanes

Match Date:

2023-03-11

Incident:

Dangerous Throw

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (d)

Dangerous Throw – throwing player into ground.

Grade E

Sanctions:

4-6

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 16th March 2023, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 27 22 (Second Half) SharePoint footage time of the above match. You were sin binned following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you have lifted your opponent and thrown him to the ground. 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 – Dangerous Throw - throwing player into the ground.

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

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in the above match for which Mr Williams was sin binned following the incident.

• The footage shows that Mr Williams is involved in a tackle with his opponent and the tackle is completed.

• The opponent is trying to extricate himself from the opponents grip in order that he can play the ball.

• It is at this point that Mr Williams has a second effort and lifts the opponent, twists him in mid-air and seemingly there is an extra throwing action by the player as the opponent is going to ground.

• The opponent is turned almost vertically upside down, and the likelihood is that his head and neck would have hit the ground had he not put out his arm to break the fall.

• Opponent is completely vulnerable due to the actions of Mr Williams.

• This is an extremely dangerous act with the potential for serious injury.

• Graded E due to;

- Vulnerability of the opponent.

- The highly dangerous actions of the player and the extra thrust to the ground after the player is lifted.

- The potentially serious implications that a tackle of this nature may have in terms of an individual landing head/neck first in the ground. No mitigation that the opponent did not sustain an injury.

- Players have a duty of care to their opponents.

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

Player not in attendance. Player pleads Guilty via e-mail from club.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have listened to the submissions from the Compliance Manager and have viewed the footage of the incident.

They are in agreement that this is a serious incident and that the grading that it has been charged at is correct.

They note the guilty plea entered by the club, however, due to the seriousness of the tackle the Tribunal agree that the sanction should be at the top end of the grade.

The player is therefore suspended for 6 matches.

Suspension:

6 matches