Operational Rules Tribunal, April 2

In the first of a number of cases scheduled for the independent Operational Rules Tribunal on April 2, the Wigan Warriors forward Liam Byrne pleaded guilty to a Grade E Head Contact charge for which he was dismissed in the Betfred Super League fixture at St Helens on Good Friday. 

Byrne has been suspended for four matches and fined £750. 

Byrne’s teammate, Tyler Dupree, was unsuccessful in challenging the grading, C, of a Head Contact charge during the same game. The one match ban stands, plus a £500 fine.

Leeds Rhinos’ Cameron Smith successfully challenged a charge of Grade B Dangerous Contact with a Castleford Tigers player during last Thursday’s Betfred Super League encounter. The grading was reduced to A and his one-match ban overturned. 

North Wales Crusaders’ Patrick Rainford was unsuccessful in challenging the grading, F of a charge of lifting a player who is, or might be injured. He is banned for six matches.  

Earlier today the following players accepted Match Review Panel penalties. 

• Justin Sangare (Leeds Rhinos) – Head Contact – Grade C – 1 match penalty notice
• Matty Lees (St Helens) – Head Contact – Grade C – 2 matches
• Paul Vaughan (Warrington Wolves) – Dangerous Throw/Lift – Grade C – 2 matches
• Harvey Livett (Huddersfield Giants) – Head Contact – Grade B – £250 fine
• Harvey Barron (Hull FC) – Head Contact – Grade C – 1 match
• Matty Beharrell (Hunslet) – Other Contrary Behaviour – Grade C – 1 match
• Ellie Oldroyd (Huddersfield Giants) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £50 fine       
• Sophie Robinson (Leeds Rhinos) – Dangerous Contact – Grade C – 1 match              
• Jodie Morris (Wigan Warriors) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £50 fine 
• Courtney Treco (London Broncos) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £50 fine