Gareth Hock handed three-match ban

Featherstone forward Gareth Hock has been banned for three matches for a use of knees charge in their recent win over Swinton.

Hock, 34, pleaded not guilty to the Grade D charge but was found guilty by an independent operational rules tribunal, though the charge was downgraded to Grade C.

He was also fined £250.

The former England international will miss Rovers’ trip to Toronto this weekend and then their first two games of either The Qualifiers or the Championship Shield.

Meanwhile, Hunslet’s Tom Ashton has been banned for four matches for dangerous contact during their game against Bradford.

He pleaded guilty but contested the severity of the grading. The tribunal agreed grading was correct and handed him a £75 fine.