Case Number:

ON/235/20

Sam Tomkins #29, Catalans

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Catalans v Salford

Match Date:

2020-03-07

Incident:

Trip in the 44th minute (Evalds)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(a)
Detail – Reactionary or reckless tripping
Grade – B

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

2 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 9th March 2020, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 44th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you intentionally promoted your foot and made contact to bring an opponent (Evalds) to ground. You were temporarily dismissed following the incident. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause your opponent injury and constitute misconduct

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence (Trips – Reactionary or reckless tripping). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 – 2 match suspension.

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

Player represented at the hearing by Richard Cramer with the player and his Coach Steve McNamara joining on the phone. Player pleads guilty but challenges the level of the grading.

This was a reactionary trip and not a deliberate or reckless action and as such the grading should be reduced to a Grade A offence. The player indicates he saw his opponent heading towards the corner and went across field to engage with him. Almost at the point of contact the opponent steps off his right foot. This wrong foots the player and catches him off balance. The player hopes contact would be made at that point as he is off balance his leg comes up and makes contact with and trips the opponent.

The player was subsequently sin binned for his actions.

The players representatives showed a comparable clip of a trip in a different match which was graded at Grade A . It was argued that this players foot was at a similar height when contact was made and the player was not sin-binned.

The two offences are similar and it is asked this matter be graded at a Grade A.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Reasons for Decision:

This Tribunal have carefully listed to the submissions made by the player and his representatives and viewed all the footage at length.

In this instance the tackling players leg is high and extended as contact brings the opponent to the ground. The Tribunal are satisfied this trip was reactionary and reckless and correctly graded at Grade B.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Grade B due to:
• Promotion of foot to unreasonable height
• Makes contact with opponent
• Brings opponent to ground in try scoring situation

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Accepts his guilt with a guilty plea. Player thinks the trip was reactionary rather than deliberate. There was no intent to injure.

Aggravating Factors:

2018 – Strikes with knee (Grade B 1 match)
2019 – Dangerous Contact (Grade-A)
2019 – Strikes - sustained punching (Grade C 3 matches & £500)

Reasons for Decision:

Having decided the grading was correct at a Grade B this Tribunal also considered if the challenge to the grading was unreasonable or frivolous.

In this instance this Tribunal did think that was the case and imposed the original sanction of 2 matches with a £500 fine.

Suspension:

2 matches