Incident ex-official branded as “Grade C” goes unpunished by match review panel

Leeds Rhinos’ win over Catalans Dragons was eventful to say the least especially for the officials who had some huge calls to make.

Video referee Marcus Griffiths correctly determined the decisions for big calls such as Nene MacDonald’s no try in the first half, Catalans Dragons’ controversial fourth try just before the break after a six again call and Derrell Olpherts tip-toe run down the sideline for Leeds’ fifth try of the game.

He also was forced to make a big decision on Mitchell Pearce’s potential double movement for Catalans’ third try, it was a decision that either way would have been criticised.

Meanwhile, Liam Moore did a terrific job in the middle of the field in a game that could have boiled over at points such as when Harry Newman was sin binned.

However, there was one moment that some fans have picked out that went unnoticed.

As Leeds broke away for the final try of the game which clinched the win for the Rhinos with Richie Myler feeding Newman, after Myler passed the ball he was caught late and possibly high by Tom Davies.

On social media Leeds fans were up in arms as they called for a three to four game ban for the incident.

However, former referee Ian Smith said that it was likely a Grade C late hit meaning it would be punished with a ban but not a substantial one:

It won’t be 3-4 matches. Probably grade C

— Ian Smith (@Iansmith2468) March 26, 2023

However, the match review panel has only deemed the incident to warrant a Grade A dangerous contact charge with no ban.

In the minutes, the incident is described as such:

“A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.”