Matty Lees cleared for Wigan Warriors clash

Most disciplinary appeals these days seem to fail.

Many are perceived as ‘frivolous’ and an extra game is added to the suspension. Take Harry Newman for example who this time last week was having an extra game added to his suspension for a ‘frivolous’ appeal after an altercation with referee Tom Grant as Leeds lost to St Helens.

However, today as St Helens were in the same boat as Newman they’ve received a very different verdict.

Matty Lees received a one-match ban for a high tackle against Catalans Dragons on a costly afternoon for the Champions as they lost 20-18 to the Dragons shortening the gap between them and rivals Wigan to just two points going into their clash at the Magic Weekend.

Furthermore, Tommy Makinson went off injured and Lees received the aforementioned ban.

However, the Champions have received a massive boost with Lees’ ban being over turned tonight. The Operational Rules Tribunal found the player not guilty of the original offence and have cleared the charge making him available to play against Wigan in the top of the table clash.

He will likely line up alongside James Roby and Alex Walmsley in the front row.

He’ll be up against impressive duo Brad Singleton and Liam Byrne who have established themselves as a very effective pair of front rowers.

Where Lees will be truly tested is when tired and facing substitutes Patrick Mago and Kaide Ellis or the running threat of Bevan French and Jai Field. However, the England international has the quality to stop these threats.