News

Cornwall RLFC full-back Liam Whitton will receive no further action after his red card in the recent Betfred League 1 clash against Keighley Cougars.

After an alleged offence of punching was spotted by touch judge Peter Wroe, match referee John McMullen sent Whitton for an early bath.

Whitton was referred to the Rugby Football League’s Match Review Panel (MRP) which met today (Thursday) to review video footage from the game.

“(Whitton) is pushing out with an open hand to get (an) opponent off and makes contact with the neck/shoulder area,” the minutes of the MRP meeting stated.

After this conclusion was reached, Whitton was cleared and is free to play. 

However, the news of Whitton’s no further action ruling was tempered with a two-game ban handed out to hooker Luke Collins. 

The Australian raised front rower, who has impressed in his three appearances to date for Cornwall since linking with the club in mid-May, was sent to the sin bin against Keighley for a late hit on his opposite number Kyle Kesik.

This incident was also referred to the MRP with Collins charged with a ‘late hit on passer’ offence.

The MRP meeting minutes said: “(Collins) makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by (Kesik) in a vulnerable position, which causes flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on Kesik, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.”

After the Grade C charge against Collins was upheld, he was handed a two match penalty notice.