Ian Watson questions Matty Lees situation

Ian Watson’s Huddersfield Giants side are battling with Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils for a spot in the play-offs but a defeat to Super League and World Champions St Helens in their game in hand wasn’t helpful.

It was a frustrating game for the Giants with Matty English sin binned for a cannon ball tackle before James Greenwood was sent off for leading with the elbow.

Watson though felt their should have been a punishment for the Saints and specifically Matty Lees who was later banned by the RFL.

This left Watson questioning why the incident wasn’t picked up by official Ben Thaler:

“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.”

Last night the second appeal was heard. But once again turned down by the operational rules tribunal.

He will miss St Helens’ against Hull KR on Friday in honour of former coach Daniel Anderson.