England star ban for ‘act contrary to good sportsmanship’
England star ban for ‘act contrary to good sportsmanship’
They retreated in the scrum legally and Trailfinders No.8 picked up the ball from the base and carried hard forward. As the Trailfinders No.8 is tackled, the ball is offloaded to Trailfinders 12 who makes a line break.
“Zoe Harrison, the 10th captain of the Saracens, turns and chases, attempting to make the tackle and extending her arms. Trailfinders 12’s hair gets grabbed by Saracens 10’s left hand as it reaches to make the tackle. The grasp of Saracens 10 on Trailfinders 12’s hair causes her head to visibly snap back, allowing her to make the tackle. Saracens 10’s right arm then wraps around Trailfinders 12’s waist and upper thighs to complete the tackle.The tackle that resulted from the grasp on Trailfinders 12’s hair not being released right away helped to bring the ball carrier to the ground. The incident is cited as a result.
Harrison admitted to the offence, stating in written testimony that: “As they break, I notice I am unable to affect the first tackle, as my centre comes across and completes the tackle. I, therefore, realize there is a gap in our defensive line as they offload, and I have to turn quickly to make a tackle.”
“I realize I am unable to set and complete a tackle as I have been taught, so I attempt to grasp Ealing 12’s jersey from behind, below her shoulder. She is traveling at speed, and I initially miss her jersey and slip-off. In an attempt to re-grasp her jersey, I realize that I inadvertently grab her hair.
I was just hoping to grab her jersey, so this was never my aim. All of this takes place in less than two seconds; I don’t even realize it until I sense resistance in her hair, at which point I release my hold and perform a legal tackle that knocks Ealing 12 to the ground. I’m glad there were no injuries caused by the hair grab, and I apologized to Ealing 12.
She received a one-game ban.
Not just Harrison was suspended for pulling hair during the previous weekend. Demi Swann, a Scotland international and Exeter Chiefs player, was found guilty of ripping hair during the Bristol Bears game and received a match ban.