Six players charged by match review panel

Following the latest round of Betfred Championship and Betfred Challenge Cup fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

James Thornton (Oldham) – Grade C Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
George Flanagan (Bradford Bulls) – Grade B Contact with Match Officials – £125 fine
Lambert Belmas (Toulouse Olympique) – Grade B Trip – £125 fine
Matty Laidlaw (Newcastle Thunder) – Grade B High Tackle – £125 fine
Jack Ray (Royal Navy) – Grade B Trip – No further action
Lucas Walshaw (Batley Bulldogs) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – £125 fine

It should come as no surprise to see two players charged from the Bradford Bulls and Toulouse Olympique fixture. It was a game riddled with sin bins.

This week’s disciplinary action perfectly embodies the new approach from the RFL with six players charged, one banned, four fined and one given no further action.

Last week, Elliot Wallis was charged with Grade E striking.

This meant that the youngster, currently playing his trade at Midlands Hurricanes but originally of Castleford Tigers and playing for the League One club on dual registration was sent to a tribunal facing a ban of around five games akin to what Josh McGuire of Warrington Wolves suffered for unacceptable language prior to the new season.

The tribunal was held on Tuesday night.

At the meeting of the Operational Rules Tribunal, Wallis – of the Midlands Hurricanes – was handed a five-match ban for Grade E Striking in their Betfred League One victory over Cornwall.

Wallis entered a guilty plea and was also handed a £75 fine.

This isn’t an ideal situation for the Hurricanes as they begin their League One Campaign.