Case Number:

ON/1220/18

John Davies #12, Featherstone

Competition:

Super 8s

Match:

Swinton v Featherstone

Match Date:

2018-09-23

Incident:

High Tackle in the 8th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(b)
Detail – High Tackle – Careless – Stepped and Reaching
Grade – B

Fine:

£250

Sanctions:

1 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 27th September 2018, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(b) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 8th minute of the above Match. You were temporary dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion while attempting to tackle you made direct contact with the head of your opponent. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary and caused your opponent injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence (High Tackle – Careless - Stepped and reaching). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 – 2 match suspension.

The MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Davies completed this tackle, for which he was temporarily dismissed in the 8th minute.

Mr Davies approaches the opponent at speed. His opponent steps to the right and Mr Davies is unable to make effective adjustments to his approach in the necessary time.

He reaches with his left arm to make the tackle on his opponent and has a slight upwards trajectory into contact. Contact is made to the head of the opponent by Mr Davies left forearm.

This posed a serious risk of injury, although fortunately none occurred.

The MRP are not suggesting this is an intentional or malicious act but feel that it should be graded at Grade B due to:

- Speed of approach which carries a reckless element
- Contact with the head of an opponent
- Force of the contact made

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

The player attended the Tribunal accompanied by his Head Coach John Duffy.

Mr Duffy opened the players submissions by explaining that his player was shooting out of the defensive line in order to apply pressure to the attack. He explained that the player plays aggressively and on this occasion he got the contact slightly wrong. He did however feel that the temporary dismissal following the tackle was sufficient punishment.

Mr Davies then echoed his coaches comments and reiterated that he was getting off the defensive line to shut down the opposing teams attack. He had no intent to cause injury and that his opponent had stepped at the last second before contact was made.

He did feel through the sin-binning he received following the tackle was enough of a punishment.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully watched the footage and are agreed that this was indeed a careless high tackle.

The are of the opinion that players have a duty of care towards each other and this tackle caused by a “lazy arm” was correctly graded at Grade B. They therefore rule that the Penalty Notice challenge was unsuccessful.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

N/A

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Mr Duffy told the Tribunal that he didn’t feel the tackle merited a 1 match suspension. He thought that the slow pace of the attack contributed to the tackle, although he accepts his players arm was outstretched.

He again said he felt the sin-binning was sufficient punishment.

Aggravating Factors:

15/08/2016: Foul Abuse to a Match Official – Grade C – 2 matches

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for the contributions and confirmed that they had carefully watched footage of the incident.

They are agreed that Grade B was the correct grading for this charge and that unfortunately after careful consideration the challenge brought before them was unreasonable.

They therefore have added an additional match to the suspension meaning the player is suspended for 2 matches and is fined £250. The club will also forfeit the £250 bond which is lodged to bring a Penalty Notice Challenge in front of Tribunal.

Suspension:

2 matches