Disciplinary: Four players head to tribunal as RFL hand out twelve charges

Round One of the Challenge Cup is in the books and it’s seen several players charged by the RFL Match Review Panel, including four men who will head to tribunal to contest their disciplinary case.

The first round of the prestigious competition saw ten matches played among the UK’s amateur sides with representatives from all nations barring Northern Ireland.

One of the broadcast games has seen three charges and a further caution with two of those charges set to head to tribunal as they’re Grade E and Grade F level.

That clash between Orrell St James and Haresfinch was streamed live on The Sportsman Youtube Channel with the home side coming out as victors, however, a 20-man brawl occurred on the brink of halftime.

As such Haresfinch full-back Nathan Goodwin has been handed a Grade F charge for striking, whilst Orrell’s Ben Tordoff has found himself with a Grade E for a dangerous throw/lift.

The other instances from that game have seen Matty Norton escape punishment from a Grade A charge and Bradley Kelk was cautioned for a dangerous throw/lift.

Disciplinary hands out twelve charges

Whilst that one game between Orrell and Haresfinch was responsible for a third of the charges handed out there was another fiery contest with Stanningley and South Wales Jets’ game seeing a further four charges.

Stanningley are coached by Super League star Ash Goulding who plays for Huddersfield Giants and his side ran out as comfortable winners by a score of 4-4 on their trip to Wales.

Unfortunately, though Goulding’s side has seen one player head to tribunal with Jack Sykes copping a Grade F charge for punching, as did Dafydd Hellard of the home side.

Another of South Wales’ team saw two charges levelled at him which means he will now miss four games. Craig Lewis copped two games for each charge of head contact and punching, both Grade D, meaning he’s set to be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

There was also three charges of punching in the clash between Lowca and Edinburgh Eagles, all three men receiving Grade D charges and two match bans meaning it was a busy week for the disciplinary panel.

A full list of the charges can be seen below.

“Following Round One of the Betfred Challenge Cup, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

– Ben Tordoff (Orrell St James) – Grade E Dangerous Throw/Lift – Refer to Tribunal
– Nathan Goodwin (Haresfinch) – Grade F Striking – Refer To Tribunal
– Matty Norton (Haresfinch) – Grade A Other Contrary Behaviour – Not Applicable
– Ryan Watkin (British Army) – Grade C Head Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
– Apenai Kororua (Edinburgh Eagles) – Grade D Punching – 2 Match Penalty Notice
– Jame Haile (Lowca) – Grade D Punching – 2 Match Penalty Notice
– Greg Smith (Lowca) – Grade D Punching – 2 Match Penalty Notice
– Craig Lewis (South Wales Jets) – Grade D Head Contact – 2 Match Penalty Notice
– Craig Lewis (South Wales Jets) – Grade D Punching – 2 Match Penalty Notice
– Jack Sykes (Stanningley) – Grade F Punching – Refer to Tribunal
– Dafydd Hellard (South Wales Jets) – Grade F Punching – Refer to Tribunal

The following player was handed a caution:

– Bradley Kelk (Orrell St James) – Dangerous Throw/Lift”