SAINTS boss Paul Wellens has explained that the club appealed the Grade B high tackle charge levelled at Alex Walmsley to stave off the threat of a future ban for a similar charge.

Although the Saints prop was initially fined £250 but not banned for the incident from the Magic game against Huddersfield deemed to be a high tackle, the club felt they had a strong case based on the evidence.

It resulted in Giants' former Saints forward Joe Greenwood leaving the field with a cut head and needing a HIA.

Wellens explained why it was felt important to challenge the charge - something they successfully overturned at the Operational Rules Tribunal.

Wellens said: "We appealed quite purely based on the fact that we didn't feel the evidence that was there to secure a charge on what he was being charged with.

"We've had numerous players suspended this year, which is well documented and there's numerous cases which we have not challenged because we look at the evidence and say 'that's fair'.

"But we looked at the evidence of this one we didn't didn't deem it fair as there was no clear indication of head contact on Joe Greenwood and that's the reason we chose to challenge it.

"Now within the new grading system, if that grade B charge sits on Alex's record, whilst it doesn't hurt us this weekend because he pays a fine and gets the opportunity to play, there's no saying that the weekend before a big game he gets a similar charge and then that record is taken into account and he then misses that game.

"So it's really important. We as a club are very diligent in how we approach those situations and whether we do or do not challenge.

"But we felt strongly about challenging this one and as the outcome shows we were proven right to challenge it."