Case Detail
Case Number:
ON/1527/23
Oliver Partington #13, Salford
Competition:
Super League
Match:
Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils
Match Date:
2023-09-01
Incident:
Dangerous Throw
Decision:
Charge
Charge Detail:
Law 15.1 (d)
Dangerous Throw – other dangerous throw.
Grade A
Sanctions:
£250 fine
Decision On Charge
Player plea:
Not Guilty
Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Not Guilty
Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 4th September 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 38 26 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you used a dangerous throw on your opponent. The Panel believed your actions were unnecessary, had the potential for injury and are against the spirit of the game.
In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade A offence – Dangerous Throw – other dangerous throw.
The normal suspension range for such offence is from a no further action to a fine.
• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the above match.
• The opponent takes a carry into contact is contacted low by Mr Partington.
• Mr Partington makes good initial contact and keeps a close grip of the opponent around the legs.
• The momentum of the initial contact drives the opponent backwards and takes the opponent off his feet.
• The player however the MRP submit fails to safely maintain his grip towards the end of the tackle.
• This results in the opponent’s head making secondary contact with the ground.
• The MRP submit that Mr Partington is in control of the tackle but fails in his duty to ensure that the tackle is completed in a safe manner.
• Mr Partington the MRP would submit has acted in careless in this instance.
• Grade A due to:
- Careless act.
- Opponent is lifted by the impact of the drive backwards.
- Player has failed in his duty of care in ensuring that the opponent’s head does not contact the ground.
- Potential for injury to the head. Area of concern for the game.
Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Player represented by Ian Blease (Director of Rugby) and Paul Rowley (Head Coach). Player pleads not guilty.
PR informed the Tribunal that the player makes fantastic contact with the opponent. He has got control of the torso via a lower point of contact. This is a perfect tackle. Whilst they may be some contact between the player ad opponent’s heads at the end of the tackle this happens 99 times out of a 100. The player hits the opponent in the torso and finishes on the torso.
IB added that this was a perfectly executed tackle and he was surprised that a penalty had even been given following it. The footage is clear in showing the opponent even has an arm down on the way to ground. This was not a dangerous tackle.
Decision:
Not Guilty
Reasons for Decision:
The Tribunal are impressed with the submissions put forward on behalf of the player.
They are in agreement that this was a perfectly good tackle which sees the opponent land on his back. The player was in control of the tackle and we therefore find him not guilty of the charge.