Round 18 of Super League concluded yesterday and with that today has seen the disciplinary verdict with three players charged and another banned.
The banned player is Warrington Wolves forward James Harrison with the England international copping a two-game ban for his shot on young St Helens forward Noah Stephens.
Harrison was adjudged by referee Chris Kendall to have use “high force” and there was “no mitigation” meaning the prop was sent off leaving Warrington Wolves to play 60 minutes a man down.
It was the first flashpoint in an intense game with a coming together involving Warrington full-back Matt Dufty near the end of the first half before Matty Nicholson was shown a yellow card in the second for a professional foul.
However, one incident that went unnoticed by Chris Kendall, unpunished by the Match Review Panel and generally under the radar has split opinion among fans after footage was shared to social media.
That footage appeared to show St Helens’ Mark Percival lashing out at Warrington’s Paul Vaughan during the competition of a tackle and fans cannot decide which of the players is at fault.
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Footage emerges showing St Helens star lash out in Super League clash
Credit: Imago Images
The incident in question happened during the 77th minute of Warrington’s victory over St Helens when Wire were leading by 12 points with just three minutes and 20 seconds left on the clock.
Australian prop Vaughan was attempting to find his front, in no real rush considering the lead and time remaining, when he and Mark Percival seemingly got into it.
As he does finally find his front, Mark Percival throws his arm and hand towards Paul Vaughan’s face with the two exchanging verbals as the 30-year-old returns to the defensive line.
Vaughan makes no real appeal and dummy-half Danny Walker does little more than hold his hands out in a questioning gesture, however, after the clip hit social media fans have given their own verdict.
Initially shared with the caption “Nice to see Percival took the loss well last night”, it created a debate between fans about whether the St Helens centre should receive a ban.
Nice to see Percival took the loss well last night pic.twitter.com/O7sC9rnl6P
— Jamie (@jamie_wrl) July 20, 2024
Many were quick to suggest that the wiley veteran Vaughan’s antics on the floor provoked a reaction with suggestions that the Australian had ‘elbowed’ the Englishman.
Another was very blunt in their assessment, stating: “Vaughan started it, Percival ended it. Nothing more to see.”
Generally, it seemed that opinions were swayed depending on which club you supported although a neutral fan claimed that there was a “bit of both in that”, before pointing to Agnatius Paasi lying on which could have escalated the situation.
Others were convinced it would draw a ban, which it has not, with one fan asking “2+ games for this surely?”, whilst another claimed that “expect a swift ban for Percival this week”.
As it is, the centre will be available for St Helens’ game against Leigh Leopards this week with the only man to be banned from Round 18 being Warrington’s James Harrison who will miss vital games against Wigan and Hull KR.
I didn’t see this, neither did the ref, his linesman, or the VR. I wonder if @TheRFL manage to spot it. https://t.co/79J4T1xyf1
— Fatbelly 🇪🇺 💙💛 (@Fatbelly57) July 20, 2024
