LANCASHIRE COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION
DISCIPLINARY HEARING
Venue: Liverpool St Helens Date: 13th May 2010
SHORT FORM JUDGMENT
Clubs: Rochdale RUFC and Vale of Lune RUFC
Match: Vale of Lune Under 15s v Rochdale Under 15s
Venue: Vale of Lune Date of match: 28th March 2010
Panel: C Barker (Chairman), A Speed and M Worsley
Secretary to the Panel: B Stott
In attendance on behalf of Rochdale:
(i) Tim Taylor, Secretary, who presented the Rochdale case;
(ii) Dermot Garvey, Coach;
(iii) John Pickersgill, Coach; and
(iv) Mike Deasey, Disciplinary Officer
In attendance on behalf of Vale of Lune:
(i) Michelle Fish, Mini/Junior Chair, who presented the Vale of Lune case;
(ii) Brian McCann, Chairman; and
(iii) Stuart Hesketh, Rugby Secretary
To consider: a charge against both Clubs of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the
Union or the game, contrary to Rule 5.12 of the Rules of the Rugby Football Union
(RFU), namely
That, at the end of the game between Vale of Lune Under 15s and Rochdale Under
15s at Vale of Lune on 28th March 2010, both the Vale of Lune and Rochdale Clubs
failed to control the conduct and behaviour of their players and spectators in that the
players of both Clubs and some spectators participated in a mass brawl
Pleas:
Rochdale admits the charge so far as it relates to their players but deny the charge so
far as it relates to their spectators
Vale of Lune admit the charge in its entirety
1
Evidence as to fact
The Panel considered:
A. The written evidence of the referee, Stephen Ralston
B. On behalf of Rochdale:
(i) the oral evidence of Dermot Garvey;
(ii) the oral evidence of John Pickersgill;
(iii) a bundle of evidence served before the hearing, containing the written
evidence of a number of witnesses; and
(iv) the oral representations of, and submissions by, Tim Taylor
C. On behalf of Vale of Lune:
(i) a bundle of evidence served before the hearing, containing the written
evidence of a number of witnesses; and
(ii) the oral representations of, and submissions by, Michelle Fish
Decision
1. The Panel is not satisfied on the evidence available to it that Rochdale spectators
participated in the brawl. Consequently, the Panel finds the charge against Rochdale
proved but only in so far as it relates to their players.
2. The Panel finds the charge against Vale of Lune proved.
3. The Panel is satisfied that Vale of Lune are more culpable than Rochdale. Hence,
the difference in sanctions
Sanction against Rochdale
That their Under 16s (in season 2010/2011) are disqualified from playing any games
of rugby union for a period of 1 month. However, this disqualification will not take
effect unless, during the period of 1 year from 1st September 2010, the Under 16s
commit and are found guilty of a further and similar offence (either through their
players, officials, members or spectators) and a Disciplinary Panel then orders that the
original disqualification shall take effect.
Sanction against Vale of Lune
1. That their Under 16s in season 2010/2011 are disqualified from taking part in the
Blacksticks Blue Junior Rugby Challenge Cup, the Blacksticks Blue Junior Rugby
Plate, the Blacksticks Blue Rugby Vase and the Blacksticks Blue Rugby Bowl but not
from the pool games prior thereto
2. That their Under 16s (in season 2010/2011) and their Under 17s (in season
2011/2012), whichever is the case, are disqualified from playing any games of rugby
2
union for a period of 3 months. However, this disqualification shall not take effect
unless, during the period of 2 years from 1st September 2010, the Under 16s or Under
17s, as the case may be, commit and are found guilty of a further or similar offence
(either through their players, officials, members or spectators) and a Disciplinary
Panel then orders that the original sentence shall take effect.
Costs
Both the Rochdale and Vale of Lune Clubs are each ordered to pay £75 towards the
costs of the hearing, to be paid within 14 days from the date of the hearing
Right of Appeal
The right of, and procedure on, appeal is set out in Regulation 11 of the RFU’s
Disciplinary Regulations
Clif Barker…………………………………
Chairman Date: 14th May 2010
3