Whitehaven forward Karl Olstrum has been banned for two matches after being charged with punching an opponent during the recent Challenge Cup tie.

But Whitehaven have immediately lodged an appeal over the sentence, which they feel is harsh.

General manager Amanda Hewer said: “We are very disappointed that the disciplinary committee didn’t even ask Karl for his version of events.

“He wasn’t able to go personally but had made himself available to be contacted by telephone.”

Olstrum has played only twice for Whitehaven since joining them in the winter from neighbours Workington Town.

He had been banned for six matches while playing for Town – for coming into contact with the referee during an end-of-season game.

He made his Haven debut against Toronto Wolfpack and then put in an outstanding performance in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup win over Oxford but was sin-binned near the end.

Olstrum was given a yellow card along with Oxford’s Jordan Siddons and there wasn’t sufficient time left for either of them to come back on the field.

After looking at a video recording of the incident, the match review panel decided that Olstrum had punched an opponent and would be subsequently charged with a Grade B offence.

Siddons did not face a charge as the sin-binning was ruled sufficient punishment.

As things stand, Olstrum will miss Sunday’s game with Coventry Bears and also the Good Friday derby against his former club Workington Town.