Franklin Pele & Liam Watts: Hull FC prop's ban reduced but Castleford front-rower suspension upheld
- Published
Franklin Pele (left) and Liam Watts had different outcomes from their individual tribunal hearings
Prop Franklin Pele will serve only a three-game suspension for head contact following a successful appeal by Hull FC, while Castleford front-rower Liam Watts' four-match ban has been upheld.
Pele was sent off for a swinging arm to Hull KR's Elliot Minchella but challenged the grading of the offence.
His team-mate Ligi Sao also had a Grade D charge downgraded to B and will miss one rather than three games.
Watts made shoulder contact with Wigan forward Tyler Dupress and saw red.
He pleaded guilty to the offence but also challenged the E grading which the tribunal panel did not overturn, hence his four-game ban was maintained, along with a £750 fine.
Cas forward Charbel Tasipale's ban was wiped out after his C grading was reduced to B, although his £250 fine remained in place.
Catalans Dragons' Michael McIlorum is banned for four matches after a Grade E head contact charge was upheld at tribunal, while team-mate Paul Seguier challenged a Grade D charge which was reduced to B and he misses one game.
Salford successfully appealed a Grade C charge against Ryan Brierley, meaning he is also available for this weekend's fixture against Castleford.
Wigan half-back Harry Smith has been given a Grade B dangerous throw penalty notice which carries no ban but a fine, following a challenge on Luke Hooley against the Tigers, and will be available for the World Club Challenge final against Penrith Panthers on Saturday.
The detail which accompanied the charge sheet, external explained the decision as being influenced by "unnatural actions of the tackled player significantly contributed to the outcome" of the challenge.
Leigh deferred their appeals by a week as their game against Wigan this weekend is to be rescheduled through their opponents' involvement in the World Club Challenge.
Their four potentially banned players are:
Tom Amone (Leigh Leopards) - Grade C Head Contact - 2 Match Penalty Notice
Jack Hughes (Leigh Leopards) - Grade B Dangerous Contact - £250 Fine
Ricky Leutele (Leigh Leopards) - Grade B Head Contact - 1 Match Penalty Notice
Zak Hardaker (Leigh Leopards) - Grade B Dangerous Contact - £250 Fine
Other penalty notice details
Herman Ese'Ese (Hull FC) - Grade D Head Contact - 2 Match Penalty Notice & £250 Fine
Jayden Okunbor (Hull FC) - Grade B Dangerous Contact - £250 Fine
Matt Parcell (Hull KR) - Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour - 1 Match Penalty Notice
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors) - Grade B Dangerous Throw/Lift - £250 Fine
Jordan Crowther (Warrington Wolves) - Grade C Other Contrary Behaviour - 1 Match Penalty Notice