Betham and Catic banned

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have suffered a blow in their relegation fight with the loss of two key forwards through suspension.

Captain Monty Betham and Ned Catic, both 28, have been banned for two and three matches respectively after being sent off in Saturday?s engage Super League win at Castleford Tigers.

Catic received the heavier punishment after being dismissed for a headbutt on Tigers prop Danny Sculthorpe. He was found guilty of butting and punching at a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday afternoon.

Betham incurred his ban after hitting Ryan McGoldrick with a flurry of punches while he lay on the ground. Both players were also fined ?300 each.

The suspensions mean the struggling Wildcats, joint bottom of the table, will be without the pair for this weekend?s clash with Catalans Dragons and the trip to Leeds Rhinos the following week. Catic will also miss the game against St Helens on September 1.

Wildcats coach John Kear said: ?The judiciary process was a swift and fair one, the club can?t condone the two players? actions during the fixture against Castleford.

?We fully accept the punishment received as a consequence of those actions.?

Wakefield are level on points with Catalans, who are immune from relegation, and Wigan Warriors following the latter?s two-point deduction for a salary cap breach.

The Catalans clash could present a chance for the Wildcats to pull clear of the bottom with Wigan facing a tough clash against third-placed Leeds.

Source: superleague.co.uk