His collision with Bentham last year was much worse imo and looked far more intentional than this one. He successfully appealed against the charge last year.

On the basis that I can't believe anyone would be that daft I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

The fact that he could have avoided contact makes it deliberate.
He's likely to cop a ban for it and although it seems petty, it seems the only course of action, especially in view of the "previous contact".

I can't remember ever seeing a player accidentally knock into a teammate in those circumstances. The fact he was arguing over a penalty not much earlier doesn't help his case. Deliberate IMO. It won't let me vote in polls for some reason.

Its an odd one.

I really can't imagine why he'd deliberately collide with Bentham, but I also can't believe that he wasn't aware that Bentham was there and then decided not to take any avoidance action.

I'd think a definite ban.

Widnes have accepted the charge, so the 2 game ban will stand.

Bentham actually stops and moves across into Houston's path, I think it was accidental particularly since his eyes were on the ball. We often see players from the defending team stepping across chaser's paths and colliding with them and it looked similar to that.

I suppose the problem is that the referees are obviously not expecting or braced for any contact so when it happens it is more likely to cause injury.

2 matches seems harsh, he will be a big miss for Widnes he's started the season well, I reckon they will be going after Leeds on Sunday as well with them coming off the back of the WCC and losing him takes a fair bit away from their pack.

I was convinced it was deliberate however after re-watching it over you are correct, Bentham stops and moves into his path at the last minute. Had he not done so the collision would never have happened

A 2 match ban is odd. If it was deliberate it’s 5+ isn’t it? If it was accidental then probably shouldn’t be a ban at all. So where does the 2 come from?

i thought that, don't no how he got away with it last year looked very deliberate, but this one looked pure accidental, if anything Bentham backs into him. both were looking up at the ball.

Houston banned for 2 games should help relieve the amount of penalties conceded.

He's certainly got form didn't he do it twice last season ?

i've been in two minds about this, bentham does do that step to his left, which led me to think it was more of an accident than last years incident.

however i've just watched it back again now, houston was looking up at the ball but he clearly has a look forward towards bentham's location, even if phil hadn't stepped to the side, houston will still be making contact with him.

the rfl are very tough on any contact with the ref even if it is an accident... not surprised to see a ban

except when he completely cleaned the same ref out last year and they did nothing.