Wigan Warriors dealt double disciplinary blow from Challenge Cup win as Sam Walters given lengthy ban
Here are the latest charges from the Match Review Panel following Saturday’s Challenge Cup final
Wigan Warriors have been dealt a double disciplinary blow by the Match Review Panel following their win over Hull KR in the Challenge Cup final - with Sam Walters and Harry Smith receiving suspension charges.
Walters has been hit with a seven-match ban charge following his red card in the latter stages of Wigan’s 40-10 win for a Grade F ‘dangerous throw/lift’ offence on Hull KR hooker Bill Leyland.
The 6t 7in forward has received 35 penalty points for the Grade F charge, which takes his total penalty points to 39.5, resulting in a seven-match ban and a fine.
Walters is now set to miss the Warriors’ upcoming games against Catalans Dragons, Wakefield Trinity, York Knights, Hull FC, St Helens, Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants.
Meanwhile, Smith has been given a one-match ban charge for a Grade B head contact offence. The England international was penalised at the time for a high tackle on Hull KR winger Tom Davies.
Smith has been handed three penalty points, which takes him to a total of 7.5 penalty points in the last 12 months, resulting in a one-match suspension. He is set to miss Saturday’s clash with Catalans in Paris.
Elsewhere, Hull KR prop Sam Luckley has been dealt a Grade A late contact on the passer offence. The Scotland international has received one penalty point, taking him to a total of 1.75 penalty points over the last 12 months. No further action has been taken, and with Luckley well under the six-point threshold for a ban, that means he is free to play in Hull KR’s trip to Wakefield Trinity on Saturday.
Clubs and players have until noon on Tuesday (June 2) to challenge the Match Review Panel’s verdicts, and any appeals will be held later the same day. Suspensions begin when players reach six points on their record, but points are then reduced after punishments, including fines, have been served.
The loss of Walters and Smith are undoubtedly big blows for Matt Peet’s side, who travel over to Paris on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s historic clash with Catalans in the French capital, which celebrates the 20th year of the Dragons being in Super League, as well as 30 years since Super League kicked off in the place where it all began.