Oldham player Bridge banned for 9 months for assault

OLDHAM forward Danny Bridge has been banned for nine months after pleading guilty to assaulting a match official during the fixture against Keighley earlier this month.

The incident was described as a “violent and aggressive physical assault” by the RFL’s Match Review Panel and was given a Grade F charge - the most serious. As a result, it was automatically referred to the Independent Operational Rules Tribunal, which handed down the suspension after a hearing last night.

A Grade F offence carries a minimum suspension of eight matches, which would have effectively ended Bridge’s season, but the option to enforce a specific lengthier suspension has been taken, ruling the former Warrington forward out of action until midApril next year. The Ireland international was also fined £75.

In other disciplinary news, Rochdale forward Ben Moores has been hit with a two-game ban for verbally abusing a match official during Hornets’ defeat to Leigh Centurions.

Elsewhere, Wigan fullback Sam Tomkins has been recalled to the England squad ahead of the Autumn test series against New Zealand, ending a four-year exile from the international game.

Warrington forward Mike Cooper has also earned a recall to the 25-man Elite Performance Squad, which consists solely of players based in the Super League and will meet up on a regular basis ahead of the internationals in October.

Salford fullback Niall Evalds has retained his spot in the England Knights Performance Squad, while Wigan forward Joe Greenwood who joined the club last month from Gold Coast Titans - has been added to the Knights setup, along with Warrington’s Harvey Livett.

And Salford have launched a ‘squad builder’ fundraiser in an effort to secure the finances required to strengthen the playing group a head of Friday’s transfer deadline.

Australian halfback Jackson Hastings arrived at the club yesterday and the Red Devils are believed to be close to securing a deal for his former Manly Sea Eagles teammate Joey Lussick, with former owner Marwan Koukash playing a crucial role in securing those acquisitions.

Now club sponsor Capricorn Security has launched the online fundraising campaign, urging fans to do what they can to directly support additional recruitment.