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Leigh Smith given two-match ban

Leigh Smith breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday evening after he was banned for two matches and fined £100 after he was sent off in the recent cup match against Super League club Wakefield Wildcats.

Leigh had expected to get at least a three or four match ban after he was sent off for kicking out at an opponent. Leigh claimed that a Wakefield player had kicked him in the face and that he just reacted and lashed out at the player.

Leigh had originally planned to attend the disciplinary hearing, but work commitments prevented him from making a personal appearance at the hearing.

Gary Murdock had written a letter to the disciplinary board on behalf of the player, which Leigh feels may have helped to reduce the ban.

Leigh will miss the away games against Barrow and Doncaster, where it is expected that Winger Neil Frazer will take his chances in the centres at the expense of the banned player.

"He came in the second-half on Sunday and did well, said Murdock. "He defends well so I've no problem at all with him playing at centre, and one or two kids in the A-team who could play are not quite ready."