WIDNES Vikings wing Pat Ah Van has been hit with a five-match ban following his dangerous throw which left Wakefield centre Ashley Gibson with a damaged shoulder.

The big wing pleaded guilty to the charge – which could have carried an eight-match suspension – and will begin a month on the sidelines, starting with Sunday’s Challenge Cup trip to Halifax.

Vikings also had Stef Marsh banned for two games after he pleaded guilty to tripping in the same game.

Coach Denis Betts accepted Ah Van was guilty, by the letter of the law, but added: “Four years ago it would have been the best tackle you will have seen. He gets him above horizontal and there are lots of steps involved that lead to the outcome.

“It isn’t pretty when you look at it, but it is a textbook tackle up to a point.

“Ashley Gibson tries to twist out which puts his body in a difficult position. That changes the balance of the tackle.”

Aaron Heremaia faces no further action after taking the early guilty plea option.

Before Friday’s game, Vikings had already agreed to send winger Paddy Flynn out on a season-long loan to Castleford.

This was because Flynn was not getting regular games, and Vikings wanted to free up cap space to bring in another forward.

Betts confirmed that they are close to bringing in a forward for the remainder of the season.