York hand out suspensions

York City Knights player-coach Paul March has been suspended from first-team duties for the trip to Blackpool Panthers on Sunday.

March is joined by director of rugby James Ratcliffe and three other players – David March, Paul Hughes and Rob Kelly – while a fourth, Danny Ratcliffe, has been suspended until the end of July.

A statement from the Co-operative Championship division one club said that the suspensions followed an unspecified breach of club discipline.

Ratcliffe was apologetic in a statement released through the club, saying, “Having been suspended from first-team duties following a complaint regarding a club function last week which a number of senior players and myself attended, I, on behalf of us, all would like to issue a unreserved apology to Leeds RLFC and its guests, York City Knights and all its supporters, and to anyone whom we may have caused offence to.

“Having had a fantastic victory on Thursday evening, we all possibly over indulged during our weekend away from rugby.

“This was a lack of concentration and in no way do we condone our behaviour. The club have taken what they feel is the appropriate action and no further comment will be made.”

Reserve coach Mike Ramsden will take charge of the first team for the game against Blackpool while the five players will play in the reserve fixture against Dewsbury Rams tomorrow (Thursday) night.