Salford Red Devils player Gareth Hock has been suspended for six matches by an independent disciplinary tribunal after being found guilty of two offences of illegal use of the knees in a First Utility Super League Round 2 fixture against St Helens.
Hock was banned for three matches for Grade C reckless striking with the knees on Tommy Makinson in the 53rd minute and a further three matches for Grade B reckless striking with the knees on Mose Masoe in the 61st minute. Hock, who pleaded guilty by letter to both charges, was also fined a total of £600.
The tribunal also handed down suspensions to two Catalans Dragons players following incidents in the Super League Round 2 fixture against Castleford Tigers. Eloi Pelissier was banned for two matches and fined £300 after admitting a Grade B charge of reckless striking with the shoulder on Scott Wheeldon in the 35th minute.Olivier Elima was suspended for one match and fined £300 after pleading guilty to Grade B striking on Scott Moore and Jake Webster in the 35th minute.
The following players were suspended after submitting Early Guilty Pleas to charges from recent fixtures:
Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors) – one-match ban for Grade B dangerous contact v Huddersfield Giants;
Michael Brown (Hemel Stags) – one-match ban for Grade B striking v University of Gloucestershire All Golds;
Joe McClean (University of Gloucestershire All Golds) – one-match ban for Grade B striking v Hemel Stag.
Huddersfield Giants player Eorl Crabtree (Grade A dangerous contact v Wigan Warriors) and Jake Webster of Castleford Tigers (Grade A punching v Catalans Dragons) both submitted EGPs and have lost the right to submit a further EGP in the next 12 months.