CENTENNIAL COAL CUP
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Centennial Coal Cup (CCC) club Wallerawang Warriors and Lithgow Bears captain-coach Brett Ranse have been suspended over two unrelated incidents by the competition’s authority.
In a black eye for the code, Wallerawang have been suspended for rounds seven and eight of the CCC competition following their second “all-in brawl” this season, while Ranse has been suspended for nearly 12 months after comments he made on Facebook.
CCC is the second tier competition for Group 10 and its convenor Paul Rudd was making no apologies about the severity of the punishments.
“It’s not a good look for the group,” Rudd said.
“We came down pretty hard because we don’t tolerate this sort of behaviour.”
Ranse took to the social media site to express his frustration about the match officiating during the Bears’ 34-28 loss to CSU Yellow in round six.
“We came down pretty hard because we don’t tolerate this sort of behaviour.”
- Centennial Coal Cup convenor Paul Rudd.
Ranse was charge with a conduct contrary to the spirit of the game and was suspended from all rugby league activities up until round three of the 2015 CCC competition, which could be late April to early May depending on when the season starts.
Although Rudd did not elaborate on what was written, he said it was detrimental.
“Facebook is a public domain and it is exactly the same thing as making comments in a newspaper. These type of comments have affects on people,” Rudd said.
“Conduct contrary to the spirit of the game is a serious thing.
“We have a duty to protect our match officials and even players and spectators too.”
The Bears have the right to appeal Ranse’s suspension and Rudd was under the impression the club was going to explore that avenue.
For Wallerawang, Rudd said he was unsure if they would appeal their suspension but the committee’s decision to suspend them for two rounds had to be made.
“They have been suspended for round seven and eight of the Centennial Coal Cup due to repeat offences,” Rudd said.
“They were involved in a brawl in round one, which resulted in suspensions. In round six, the round just gone, there was a repeat of this issue.
“A player from the opposing team [CSU Blue] suffered severe injuries in which they had to have dental work done.”
Kandos Waratahs and CSU Yellow were due to play the Warriors in rounds seven and eight respectively but those matches have been cancelled.
Last year’s grand finalists will be awarded the two competition points as the matches will be deem a forfeit.
Rudd said Wallerawang was given a written final notice and at any point, after they return from their suspension, if they are involved in another incident or one of their matches is abandoned by the referee, the club would be expelled from the competition for the rest of the season.