Whitehaven’s Chris Taylor has escaped a ban and is free to play in Sunday’s League One clash against Coventry Bears at the Recreation Ground.

Taylor was yellow-carded, along with London Skolars’ Robert Tuliatu, after both ran in to join a fracas near the end of the top-of-the-table clash at Whitehaven.

The match review panel decided that the sin binning for both was sufficient punishment and that they would be able to play in their clubs’ next match.

Tuliatu had also faced a disciplinary charge from the same game for making dangerous contact but the committee decided there would be no charge.

Another Skolars player, Ronny Palumbo, did not escape a ban for a similar charge of making dangerous contact for the disciplinary committee decided he should be banned for one game.

Skolars are the odd team out this weekend so Palumbo will have to wait to serve his suspension.

Whitehaven will be relieved that Taylor is available for selection as he has become a key figure for Gary Charlton’s side, whether operating in the centre or, as he has done for much of the present season, at full-back.

One of only two players from out of the county still playing their rugby at Whitehaven, Taylor is widely admired and respected by the Whitehaven supporters who now regard him as “one of their own”.

Taylor, 25, is in his fifth season at the Recreation Ground, having originally joined on a season’s loan from Wigan and briefly had a spell at Halifax.

He was a key player in the Wigan Academy where a shoulder injury halted his progress.

But Taylor has proved a most reliable recruit for Whitehaven, one of the strongest tacklers in the side.

Whitehaven will go into Sunday’s game with Coventry as clear League One leaders and with an opportunity to stretch their advantage at the top as their closest rival London Skolars are not playing.