St Helens trio banned and Sam Walters fined for shoulder charge

Three St Helens players have been handed by the RFL disciplinary panel after receiving cards in the 25-24 home defeat to Leeds on Friday night.

Sione Mata’utia has received a Grade C dangerous contact charge and has received a two-match ban, ruling him out of their games against Leigh and Hull.

Fellow back-rower Curtis Sironen will also miss the trip to Leigh this Friday after he was banned for one-match for dangerous contact.

Former Leeds player Konrad Hurrell was shown a straight red card in the dying stages of the game for a high tackle on Richie Myler.

That helped the Rhinos get up field to set up Blake Austin’s match-winning drop goal.

Hurrell has also received a two-match ban.

There was some controversy over an incident shortly before Hurrell’s red, where an apparent shoulder charge from Leeds forward Sam Walters went unpunished.

Walters has been handed a £250 fine after being charged with a Grade B offence, which no longer carries an automatic suspension.

That incident prompted a reaction from St Helens full-back Jack Welsby, with the two locking horns, though neither have been charged for that.

It did, however, dominate discussions on social media immediately following the game.

Kenny-Dowall facing up to a five-match ban

Hull KR captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he was charged with Grade E unnecessary contact with player who is or maybe injured.

He will now face an RFL disciplinary tribunal, with the new Grade E tariff carrying a three to five match ban.

The only other ban was handed to Leigh half-back Ben Reynolds, who received a two-match ban for a Grade D dangerous contact in their 30-25 win at Hull KR.

There was no further action for Salford duo Tyler Dupree and Kallum Watkins following the fouls that prompted two eight-point tries in the defeat to Warrington.

The match review panel said of Watkins was “reaching to tackle before the opponent dives to score the try and glances the head as the opponent’s position changes” while Dupree got his “knees down prior to contacting opponent” and so faced no action.

Dupree had also been cited for a Grade A high tackle, but will face no further action.

Leigh hooker Edwin Ipape and Castleford prop Liam Watts were both fined £250 for Grade A dangerous contact.

Hull KR’s Sauaso Sue and Wakefield’s Jordan Crowther were also fined £250 for Grade B dangerous contact, though neither received bans.