St Helens star is one of two to appear in court with lengthy bans

St Helens Jonny Lomax discouraged from Super League disciplinary punishment

St Helens captain Jonny Lomax faces a five-match ban after the Match Review Panel made its ruling on the final round of Super League fixtures this week.

Lomax was sent to the penalty box for a high-altitude shot that made contact with the head. For this offence he was given a grade E charge for ‘contact with the head’, for which he was referred to the Operational Rules Tribunal.

The trial will take place on Tuesday night, but Lomax will not be alone, as Catalans Dragons star Tariq Sims will also be there after being charged with a class F charge.

A grade F charge could result in a ban of six games or more, with Sims accused of ‘lifting an injured player’, the same offence for which he was sent off against Hull FC in Catalans’ 24-16 win.

Sims is already serving a one-game suspension on a Class B head contact charge, meaning he could miss the rest of the season if found guilty.

St Helens captain faces lengthy ban

Credit: Imago Images

As for St Helens captain Jonny Lomax, he could face a ban of up to five games, while the penalty for a Grade E charge has been set at three to five games.

Some of the factors determining the length of the sentence include Lomax’s previous disciplinary record and Saints’ defence, which states that a guilty plea would likely earn him a lesser sentence.

St Helens cannot afford to lose their captain for an extended period, given the lengthy injury list they currently have. After the loss to Leigh, four more players have been injured, with Jack Welsby the most serious.

Paul Wellens noted that Welsby could be out for months rather than weeks, while prop forward George Delaney also suffered a leg injury. Both Moses Mbye and Mark Percival were also forced off the pitch.

Percival is also a player who is suspended. The St Helens midfielder was also charged with ‘contact with the head’. However, he only has a B rating, meaning he is suspended for one match.

A total of five players were given suspensions and both Lomax and Sims were ordered to appear in court.

Super League Round 19 Disciplinary Charges

Josh Charnley (Leigh Leopards) – Head Contact Grade B – £250 Fine
Mark Percival (St Helens) – Head Contact Class B – 1 Match Penalty (Higher Level)
Jonny Lomax (St Helens) – Lead Liaison Class E – Refer to Tribunal
Andy Ackers (Leeds Rhinos) – Head Contact Class B – £250 fine
Hugo Salabio (Huddersfield Giants) – Head Contact Class B – £250 Fine
Liam Horne (Castleford Tigers) – Head Contact Class C – 2 Match Penalty (Higher Class)
Tariq Sims (Catalans Dragons) – Head Contact Class B – 1 match penalty (higher level)
Tariq Sims (Catalans Dragons) – Class F Lifting injured player – Refer to court
Ligi Sao (Hull FC) – Head Contact Class C – 2 Match Penalty (Higher Class)
Matty Storton (Hull KR) – Class C Other Deviant Behaviour – 1 Match Penalty
Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors) – Head Contact Grade B – £250 Fine