Galbraith ban is overturned

Photo: Tim Bradley

Sammy Gee (right)

AN eight-match ban against Rochdale Hornets centre Lewis Galbraith has been overturned on appeal.

He was originally suspended on a grade 'F' racial abuse charge involving Oldham's Sammy Gee. They clashed near the end of a feisty Summer Bash derby at Blackpool on May 27, after which Galbraith denied racial abuse and Gee admitted punching. They were banned for eight games and one game respectively.

The RFL reports on its website, however, that an independent operational rules tribunal last night found Galbraith not guilty on appeal.

Hornets later confirmed that the eight-match ban was quashed, following the Red Hall appeal, and that Galbraith will be free to play against London Broncos at the Crown Oil Arena on Sunday.

Gee cleared his ban by missing the Roughyeds' game against Featherstone, so he will be free to play against Sheffield Eagles away on Sunday.

Seven days later Oldham and Rochdale meet at Bower Fold for the fourth time this season in a key battle at the lower end of the KP Championship table.

Rochdale won the Law Cup clash at the same venue and the Summer Bash game at Blackpool in May, but the derby rivals drew 26-26 in a thriller at the Crown Oil Arena in March.

Oldham have extended Liam Bent's loan from Salford for another week, while several players on a huge injury list will be assessed at training tonight.