Verdict of second Matty Lees appeal revealed

St Helens are battling with Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards for a spot in the top two and a home semi-final and have some key games coming up against Hull KR and Castleford Tigers.

However, they suffered a blow following their win over Huddersfield Giants.

The Saints defeated the West Yorkshire club in a game that saw Matty English sin binned for a cannon ball tackle and Joe Greenwood sent off for running in with the elbow.

Neither of them were banned however. English was cautioned and Greenwood was fined.

The one man suspended from the game was St Helens star Matty Lees. The prop forward received a two match ban for a high tackle.

Last night, the Saints appealed this decision at an operational rules tribunal.

The decision was made to stand by the ban with Lees set to miss the game against Hull KR and Castleford Tigers.

However, St Helens again appealed Matty Lees’ two match suspension tonight but the Operational Rules Tribunal has stood by the decision.

The RFL made the following statement:

“After St Helens appealed the decision of the Independent Operational Rules Tribunal, that Matty Lees should be suspended for two matches and fined £500 for a Grade C high tackle in the Betfred Super League fixture against Huddersfield Giants a new three-person On-Field Operational Rules Appeals Tribunal was convened. The appeal was rejected, so the punishment stands.”

Saints made the following statement:

St Helens have been unsuccessful in appealing against the decision made by the Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday night that Matty Lees should be suspended for two matches and fined £500. The Club’s appeal was rejected, meaning that the punishment will stand.

Lees was issued a Grade C ‘High Tackle’ charge following the Saints’ victory over Huddersfield Giants on Sunday afternoon by the Match Review Panel on Monday.

On Tuesday night the Club appeared before the Operational Rules Tribunal to plead ‘Not Guilty’, but the independent tribunal upheld the Match Review Panel’s decision.

The Club’s then lodged an appeal on Wednesday night which was based on the fact that we believe the Operational Rules Tribunal made an error of law in its decision or failed to act fairly in a procedural sense. This appeal was rejected, meaning Lees’ punishment stands and will rule Saints’ #10 out of the next two Betfred Super League matches; firstly against Hull KR at home and then Castleford Tigers away.

St.Helens R.F.C. stands by the decision to appeal but accepts the process is now over and we look forward to our upcoming match against Hull KR at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday night.

Paul Wellens has initially named a 20-man squad for the Round 22 fixture, subject to the Club’s appeal, the Saints can now confirm that completing our squad declaration will be #34 – Wesley Bruines.