St Helens winger Tommy Makinson has ban reduced on appeal

Correspondent

St Helens winger Tommy Makinson has had his three-match ban reduced to two on appeal.

The England international, who was sent off for a high tackle on Castleford full-back Niall Evalds in last Thursday’s defeat by the Tigers, pleaded guilty to the offence but the Super League champions challenged the grading by the Rugby Football League’s match review panel.

An operation rules tribunal downgraded the offence from C to B and imposed a more lenient punishment, although a £500 fine remains.

It means Makinson will miss Friday’s derby against Wigan and Saints’ next home game against Leigh Centurions on Thursday week but will be free for the derby against Warrington on Bank Holiday Monday.

Meanwhile, former Great Britain international Leon Pryce has joined the RFL’s match review panel.

As his 18-year-old son Will embarks on his journey as a professional rugby league player, Pryce is delighted to be involved in the game once more.

Much of Leon Pryce’s time these days is spent watching Will’s impressive performances for Huddersfield but he is now back in rugby league himself as a newly-appointed member of the Rugby Football League’s match review panel.“I was approached by the RFL, who wanted me to give a bit of experience from my career,” said the former Bradford, St Helens, Catalans and Hull stand-off, who retired in 2017. “It was nice to be asked.”Pryce’s contribution might only mean a few hours scrutinising potential foul play from the latest round of matches on a Monday morning but the RFL are keen to keep their stars involved in the sport.

And for Pryce that link is important as he went through a low point in his life after hanging up his boots.

He turned to alcohol after initially finding it difficult to adjust to life without rugby league and used Sporting Chance to help get his life back in order.

“I received lot of help from RL Cares,” he said. “It’s that transitional period, being out of the game and just finding yourself again because it’s not easy.

“Once you have been in an industry for 22 years from being a boy, you have to find your way again.

“I’m working full-time and enjoying life again. I’ve no aspirations to go back to coaching, I’m quite content to watch my son play.”

Super League St Helens