Case Number:

ON/003/24

Ben Tordoff #12, Orrell St James

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Orrell St James v Haresfinch

Match Date:

2024-01-14

Incident:

Dangerous Throw

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (d)

Dangerous Throw/Lift

Grade E

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 18th January 2024, 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 48 34 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you used a dangerous throw on your opponent by placing them into a dangerous position. The Panel believe your actions were unnecessary and had the potential for serious injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade E offence – Dangerous Throw/Lift.

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

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident in the above match.

• Mr Tordoff, the Match Review Panel submit can be seen to lift his opponent into a ‘Dangerous Position’ as defined in the Laws of the Game.

• Using the factors set out in the guidance note the Panel note the following:

- Mr Tordoff throws the ball carrier into the ground.
- The ball carrier is significantly lifted above the ground.
- The ball carrier’s hips have been turned almost 180 degrees
- Mr Tordoff is in control of the tackle but proceeds to change his grip in the tackle and then places the ball carrier into a dangerous position.

• Based on the above factors the Match Review Panel felt this necessitated a Grade E charge in line with the guidance note.

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

Player not in attendance but sent in e-mail offering his apologies for the tackle.

At no point was it his intention to cause injury to another player or bring the game into disrepute. He accepted his contribution to the tackle had an effect on the outcome, however, he did not believe he was solely responsible for the incident.

He felt that at the beginning of the tackle a teammate lifted the opponents’ legs over the horizontal, an act that saw his receive a yellow card. He also felt the opponent jumped backwards into him, this therefore shifted the body weight and changed the dynamics of the tackle.

He stated that he had an exemplary disciplinary throughout his entire career and was in the process of gaining his coaching qualifications.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched footage of the incident several times and in agreement that the grading of the charge.

Contrary to the view of the MRP they are in agreement that the actions of the teammate did contribute to how the tackle ended is. They therefore feel that the suspension should be to the lower end of the grading. This means the player will be suspended for 3 matches.

Suspension:

3 matches