Players banned after Swinton-Gateshead brawl

Swinton pair Richie Hawkyard and Mike Morrison, and Gateshead’s Tom Lynch have all been banned for one match for their part in a brawl during the recent Challenge Cup tie between the two sides.

Hawkyard, 28, also received a £50 fine for pleading guilty to a Grade A punching charge, while Morrison and Lynch submitted Early Guilty Pleas for their Grade B punching charges.

A fourth player, Gateshead’s Sam Lynch, avoided suspension after submitting an Early Guilty Plea, but loses the right to do the same in the next 12 months.