Ian Watson left “frustrated” by Matty Lees situation

Huddersfield Giants are in a battle with Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and their opponents this weekend the Salford Red Devils for a spot in the top six but their hopes were dealt a major blow as they were defeated by Super League and World Champions St Helens.

In the game, the Giants lost Matty English to a yellow card for a cannon ball tackle before losing Joe Greenwood to a red card in an incident Giants boss Ian Watson felt was started by the Saints and following this Matty Lees was banned for a high tackle.

This left Watson frustrated as he felt the incident should have been picked up during the game and not after the fact.

He said:

“Yeah, it just frustrates us a little bit because, obviously you don’t want players banned, you just want them to be pulled up for things they do in the game. We just felt that situation, we should have had a penalty; we shouldn’t have had a penalty against us and a sin binning.

“So now obviously Matty Lees appealed last night and he’s lost his case, so he misses two games now which is no benefit, like everyone says, it’s no benefit to our game.

“It was at that moment that we felt it would have been better being pulled up and then we get a penalty we’re probably attacking their try line, and maybe they’re down to 12 men when Matty Lees gets sin bin for the high shot.”

What Ian Watson didn’t know at the time was the fact St Helens confirmed an intention to appeal the ban again.

They stated:

“Prop forward Matty Lees received a two-match penalty notice for a Grade C ‘High Tackle’ charge from the Match Review Panel, this decision was upheld by the Operational Rules Tribunal. However, the Club will be appealing the decision on Tuesday night, following the result of which the Saints’ 21st man in the squad shall be named.”

This means they have right now only named a 20 man squad for Friday’s game against Hull KR.

Last night the Saints released this statement:

“St Helens prop Matty Lees has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a two-match penalty notice for a Grade C ‘High Tackle’ charge in the Saints’ win over Huddersfield Giants last Sunday.
Lees pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ to the Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday night, but the independent tribunal upheld the Match Review Panel’s decision and he has also been fined £500.

“This means Lees will miss this Friday’s home clash with Hull KR, and next week’s visit to Castleford.”

The following players have accepted penalty notices imposed by the Match Review Panel.

Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants) – High Tackle – Grade – N/A
Joe Greenwood (Huddersfield Giants) – Striking – Grade B – £250 fine
Oliver Russell (Huddersfield Giants) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £250 fine
Michael Knowles (Hunslet) – Dangerous Contact – Grade C – 1 match
Lewis Hall (Swinton Lions) – Dangerous Contact – Grade C – 1 match
Lewis Young (Keighley Cougars) – High Tackle – Grade C – 1 match
Kieran Taylor (North Wales Crusaders) – Dangerous Contact – Grade C – 1 match
Ellis Robson (Keighley Cougars) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £125 fine
Connor Carr (Oldham) – Dangerous Throw – Grade B – £40 fine
Joey Leilua (Featherstone Rovers) – Strike – Grade A – NFA