Case Number:

ON/056/22

Jake Wilson #10, Thornhill

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Doncaster v Thornhill

Match Date:

2022-01-30

Incident:

Dangerous Contact at 15 36

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)

Other Contrary Behaviour

Grade F

Sanctions:

8+

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 3rd February 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 15th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you jumped off the floor with both feet and landed them on the leg of your opponent who was in a stationery position. The Panel believe that your actions were unnecessary, against the spirit of the game and had the potential to injure your opponent.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence (Other Contrary Behaviour). The normal suspension range for such offence is 8 matches plus.

• Incident occurs in approximately the 15th minute
• Player is involved in a tackle with an opponent
• Player tries to lift opponent’s leg initially on several occasions to try and destabilise the opponent’s base
• This does not occur, and the opponent remains upright in the tackle
• The player keeps a hold of the opponent with both hands
• The player then proceeds to jump off the ground and drives both feet at the opponent’s legs
• Action is very forceful albeit contact is minimal
• Intentional act to drive legs towards opponent
• Grade F due to:
- Intentional act
- Acts such as these have no place on a Rugby League pitch
- Brings the game into disrepute
- Serious potential for injury
- No duty of care for opponent

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

JW in attendance alongside Andy Kelly. Player pleads guilty to the charge.

AK explained he was trying to bring his opponent to ground. He admits there was no excuse for the actions that he used, although there was no intention to hurt his opponent.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched the footage and listened to the submissions made by both sides.

They note for this charge that the player accepts his guilt, however, there is no place in the game for this kind of challenge.

They therefore feel that the player should be suspended for 12 months.

Suspension:

12 months (totality with x2 other charges)