Five players banned after brawl

Five players have been suspended for their involvement in a fight in the closing stages of a Co-operative Championship One match between Rochdale Hornets and Gateshead Thunder on Monday May 3.

Gateshead loose forward Matt Barron was suspended for three matches after the RFL Disciplinary Committee found him guilty of sustained, repeated and violent punching in the 79th-minute incident.

Barron’s Gateshead team-mates Joe Brown, Michael Brown and Gareth Barron were all banned for one match after being found guilty of punching.

Rochdale full-back Craig Johnson was suspended for two matches and fined £50 after admitting a Grade B offence of punching.

All five players were each fined £50.