PUNCH & JURY

Dudson's sorry but smacked with five-game ban

- DAVE CRAVEN

CATALANS star Tom Johnstone has revealed that Gil Dudson apologised for his "red mist" attack which saw the Warrington prop facing a five-match ban.

Fiery Dudson inexplicably punched Johnstone while the England winger was tackled on the ground during Saturday's Super League thriller in Perpignan.

The forward, 32, was handed the hefty suspension by an RFL independent tribunal last night after pleading guilty to the Grade E offence.

Speaking before the hearing, Johnstone said: "It was a bit of a shock when it happened.

"I'd done absolutely nothing to him.

"But we had a chat outside the changing room afterwards. He was apologetic.

"He said how he thought I'd hit him and didn't realise it was just an accidental clash when I was trying to get up.