Rugby League: Davidson stung by long ban

The Oldham second rower Paul Davidson has appealed against a three-match ban for biting an opponent in last Saturday's Visa World Club Championship match in Townsville.

The Australasian Super League judiciary, meeting in Sydney yesterday, handed out the suspension after finding him guilty of the charge. But Davidson immediately appealed, as the suspension rules him out of Oldham's final match in Australia, against the Adelaide Rams, and the next two Super League matches.

Davidson was charged with "contrary conduct" following an on-field skirmish with the Cowboys' stand-off, Ian Dunemann, midway through the first half at Stockland Stadium. Dunemann complained to the referee, showing alleged bite marks on his upper left arm, and Davidson was placed on report.

The Leeds loose-forward Terry Newton was also suspended yesterday - for one match - after pleading guilty to a "dangerous throw" on Adelaide Rams' David Boughton in Friday night's match, for which he was sent off.

The Auckland Warriors, meanwhile, are considering launching an appeal after the hooker Syd Eru was banned for his dismissal in the match at Bradford on Saturday. The New Zealand Test No 9 was sent off for a high tackle on Bradford's Andy Hodgson just before half-time in the Warriors' 20-16 victory.

The League disciplinary committee handed out a one-match suspension, which will rule him out of his club's final match of the first round - next Monday's fixture at Warrington.