Super League disciplinary as veteran hit with ban amid Owen Trout decision

Catalans Dragons man Elliott Whitehead has been handed a one-match Super League suspension by disciplinary. The Match Review Panel met on Monday morning to examine the incidents which occurred during last weekend’s two Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Hull KR and Warrington Wolves were the winners and the pair will do battle next month in the Challenge Cup final, with Catalans and Leigh Leopards being the unfortunate teams to fall short of a Wembley appearance at the final hurdle.

The Robins beat Catalans 36-12, while Warrington edged out Leigh 21-14, with the efforts of the returning Marc Sneyd proving to be pivotal.
Moments from both games have been examined but Whitehead is the only man to be given a suspension this week. Whitehead has been hit with a Grade B head contact charge which warranted three penalty points.

However, due to his disciplinary record this season, he now has 10.5 points and that means he has been handed a one-match suspension and a fine. The suspension means he will sit out of Thursday’s clash with St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium, a game that can be considered to be huge for both sides.

Alrix Da Costa received the same charge, as he has now accumulated five points, a fine is the appropriate punishment for him.

Owen Trout is the only man sanctioned this week, with the forward colliding with Matt Dufty in a reckless manner. Trout left the field for a HIA shortly after, while Dufty required some treatment on the pitch and the Leigh Leopards man has been given a Grade C charge by disciplinary.

Fortunately for him, Trout’s lack of previous means he has only been fined for the incident.

The match review panel explanation read: “No mitigation. Trajectory of head always going towards opponent’s head and player does not lower height. Player approaches at speed and is out of control.”

Two more Trout incidents were looked at but disciplinary have claimed the footage is inconclusive regarding any head contact.

Super League disciplinary after Challenge Cup semi-finals

Player	Club	Opposition	Charge	Grade	Penalty Points	Total Points in previous 12 months	Sanction if applicable
Alrix Da Costa	Catalans Dragons	Hull KR	Head Contact	B	3	5	Fine
Elliott Whitehead	Catalans Dragons	Hull KR	Head Contact	B	3	10.5	1 Match Suspension and a Fine
Owen Trout	Leigh Leopards	Warrington Wolves	Head Contact	C	5	5	Fine