Bailey to miss three games for his push on referee

But there was relief at Headingley Carnegie as his Rhinos team-mate Brent Webb escaped suspension after he denied a similar Grade C offence of ‘making deliberate contact with a match official’ in the same game.

The Leeds full-back was instead given a verbal warning regarding his future conduct and fined the same amount as Bailey, £300.

The punishments were handed out by the RFL disciplinary committee last night after studying reports from the Mirfield official.

It is understood Bailey, who was present at the hearing and pleaded guilty, appeared to push the referee out of the way in the build-up to Warrington’s second try at Headingley.

The 28-year-old prop – who joined up with England coach Steve McNamara’s elite training squad at the weekend – will now miss the Rhinos’ next three matches – Friday night’s trip to Salford City Reds, the televised match at St Helens on March 25 and the Yorkshire derby with Huddersfield Giants on March 30.

Leeds have confirmed they will not appeal against the three-match ban handed to Bailey.

Rhinos coach Brian McDermott, who accompanied both Leeds players to the hearings at Red Hall, said: “We would like to thank the disciplinary for the hearing and we accept the findings.”

Warrington hooker Mickey Higham received a two-match ban after he was found guilty of a Grade B high tackle in the same match at Headingley, which Leeds won 26-18. Higham, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was also fined £300 by the panel.

The loss of Bailey for Friday’s game at Salford was tempered yesterday when captain Kevin Sinfield was given the all-clear.

The England stand-off suffered a dead leg against Warrington but initial fears he could miss out this week were allayed yesterday when he was passed fit by the Headingley medical staff.

Sinfield is closing in on the Rhinos’ all-time scoring record; he is just 15 points short of equalling Lewis Jones’s record of 2,920 set in 1964. Sinfield, who played and scored in all 42 possible games for club and country last year, has also scored in the Rhinos’ last 47 matches, a run stretching back to August, 2010.

Bradford half-back Jarrod Sammut will miss the Bulls’ Super League match with St Helens on Saturday through suspension.

The former Crusaders favourite was charged with illegal use of the forearm on Hull KR stand-off Craig Hall during his side’s 36-24 win at Craven Park on Saturday evening. The RFL say Sammut opted to enter an early guilty plea in return for a one-match ban.

Hull prop Mark O’Meley also admitted his guilt after being charged with dangerous play during his side’s 22-10 win at St Helens and accepted a one-match ban which will rule him out of Sunday’s home game against Widnes.

Castleford Tigers’ coach Ian Millward has thanked the ‘rugby family’ for their support after he returned to work this week following the death of his 19-year-old son Robbie.

The teenager died last month from a sudden heart attack, and Millward has been on compassionate leave since, with No 2 Stuart Donlan taking charge of the Tigers’ last three matches.

But Millward was back at Wheldon Road on Monday and has spoken of his family’s grief at the loss of teenager Robbie.

“My family and I are still grieving over the tragic loss of Robbie,” he said. “We all regarded him as a special young man. He was extremely well liked and much loved by all who knew him.

“As his father, I want to place on record my appreciation to the directors, players, staff and supporters at Castleford Tigers, the RFL and also for the guidance of Steve Ball from the RFL Benevolent Fund.

“I would like to personally thank all of those who have sent messages of condolence and support. They have been a source of comfort and strength to us all.

“Rugby League is a true family and I am proud and grateful to be part of it.”

Batley Bulldogs will travel to 1952 winners Workington Town in the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Third round draw: Oulton Raiders v Sheffield Eagles, North Wales Crusaders v Toulouse Olympique XIII, London Skolars v Leigh Centurions, Myton Warriors v Halifax, York City Knights v Hull Dockers, Gateshead Thunder v York Acorn, Hunslet Old Boys v Featherstone Rovers, Swinton Lions v Siddal, Workington Town v Batley Bulldogs, Doncaster v Sharlston Rovers, Egremont Rangers v Oldham, Whitehaven v Hunslet Warriors, Wath Brow Hornets v South Wales Scorpions, Barrow Raiders v FC XIII Lezignan, East Hull v Rochdale Hornets, Hunslet Hawks v Royal Navy, Bradford Dudley Hill v Keighley Cougars, Dewsbury Rams v Thatto Heath Crusaders. Ties to be played over weekend of March 24-25.