Why Jake Connor, Castleford Tigers duo and Huddersfield Giants pair escaped bans despite yellow cards

Following the latest round of Betfred Super League fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

Ellis Robson (Toulouse) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – Crusher – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Kane Evans (Hull FC) – Grade B High Tackle – Reckless – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Matt Prior (Leeds) – Grade B High Tackle – Reckless – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Sione Mata’utia (St Helens) – Grade B High Tackle – Reckless – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Joe Philbin (Warrington) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – Drop Tackle – 0 Match Penalty Notice
Brad Singleton (Wigan) – Grade B Late Hit on Passer – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Jordan Dezaria (Catalans) – Grade E Strikes – Punching – Refer to Tribunal
Kade Ellis (Wigan) – Grade E Strikes – Punching – Refere to Tribunal

There was, however, no charges from Castleford Tigers’ away fixture at Huddersfield Giants on Saturday afternoon, despite there being four yellow cards awarded.

Up first was Jake Trueman, whose professional foul on Chris McQueen running through for a kick saw him given a yellow card by referee James Child – though no further action was taken by the Match Review Panel.

Then came Huddersfield’s Danny Levi, who was sinbinned for a ‘late shot’ on Castleford’s Joe Westerman. The Panel decided not to charge the hooker because: “Player is fractionally late with contact and makes legitimate attempt to tackle and moderates upon contact.”

Jermaine McGillvary was also handed a yellow card in the second-half for a late tackle on Gareth O’Brien, but the Panel stated: “Player is engaged to make the tackle and opponent is braced for contact.”

Last but not least, George Lawler saw yellow for a dangerous tackle on a Huddersfield man, but the Panel revealed that: “Player lifts a leg to destabilise the tackle. Opponent is lifted however not into a dangerous position.”

Hull FC’s fixture against Leeds Rhinos also saw a number of players cited as Matt Prior and Kane Evans receive bans.

But, Jake Connor was also cited for leading with the forearm. However, the Panel stated that: “Player has arm out and opponent comes into make the tackle. No unnatural movement of the arm towards the opponent.”