Luffman shocked by Steele verdict

4:39pm Thursday 10th April 2008

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Otley coach Mark Luffman has described the three-week suspension handed out to Ben Steele this week as "a disgrace".

The hooker was cited by Stourbridge for alleged stamping in their National League Two match on March 15.

His hearing before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel was on Tuesday night at the Leeds Brighouse Holiday Inn.

Steele will now miss all of the leaders' remaining three games - at Cambridge on Saturday, at home to Blackheath on April 19 and at Waterloo on April 26.

Upon hearing the panel's verdict, Luffman said: "That's a disgrace considering what went on in that match."

He added: "Obviously we will now have to make a change at hooker and we are also waiting to see if Ian Shuttleworth has recovered from the ankle injury he picked up at Stourbridge."

Another possibility is the return of back-row forward Matt Stockdale after a serious shoulder injury.

Luffman said: "He is fully fit and played for 20 minutes in the Aire-Wharfe Cup last week."

With three games to go, Otley have 90 points, which is one ahead of Manchester and six in front of Stourbridge as the trio battle for the two promotion places.

As for Cambridge, Luffman said: "All away games are difficult as clubs target us but this is particularly so, but the players and myself just take one game at a time."