Roden cleared to face Hunslet

NEIL RODEN: Avoided a suspension.

NEIL RODEN, Oldham RL Club’s midfield anchor man, is free to play at Hunslet on Sunday after avoiding suspension at last night’s Rugby League disciplinary committee meeting in Leeds.

He was placed on report by referee Ronnie Laughton for a challenge on Leigh centre Adam Higson in the recent Northern Rail Cup clash at Leigh Sports Village which the Centurions won 24-12.

The RFL later decided there was a case to answer and Roden was charged with having made a “reckless” high tackle.

The Roughyeds stand-off could not attend last night’s hearing because he had previously changed his work shifts in order to be free to play in Monday night’s 22-14 win against Hornets at Sedgley Park.

Acting on his behalf at the hearing, Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton entered a plea of not guilty. He submitted that there was neither intent nor malice in Roden’s tackle and that, in going down, the Leigh player accidentally banged his head on the knee of another Oldham player, Chris Clarke.

After considering Oldham’s defence, the judiciary downgraded the charge against Roden from a “reckless” tackle to a “careless” tackle, for which they found him guilty.

His record of never having been sent off in 12 years as a professional was then taken into account.

It was decided a warning letter would suffice with no further action beyond that.

After the hearing Mr Hamilton gave Roden the news that he would be free to play at Hunslet. “He was both delighted and relieved, obviously,” said the Roughyeds chairman.