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Widnes Vikings forward Gareth Hock has received a four-match ban for making deliberate contact with a referee.

He was punished for coming into contact with referee George Stokes in Widnes's 36-0 win over Workington on Sunday.

The Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee heard the clash was "unnecessary and avoidable" and also fined the 29-year-old £300.

Hull KR's Cory Paterson was also banned for four games for a reckless strike on Wigan stand-off Blake Green.

The Australian was found guilty of a grade D offence during his side's 46-14 Challenge Cup defeat by Wigan.

Leeds Rhinos half-back Danny McGuire avoided a ban for punching during his team's 24-8 defeat by Huddersfield but was fined £300 and given a warning.

Hock, who is on a , external at Widnes from Wigan and will join NRL side Parramatta Eels at the end of the season, for committing a similar offence while playing for Wigan in 2008.

He was also banned for one game in March for using abusive language towards a match official.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield Giants centre Joe Wardle, who was sent off for throwing several punches at Carl Ablett during their 24-8 victory over Leeds, submitted an early guilty plea to his charge and has been banned for two matches.

Team-mate Leroy Cudjoe did likewise but has avoided a suspension as he was charged with a lesser punching offence.

Both Antonio Kaufusi of London Broncos and Salford's Jordan James submitted early guilty pleas to their charges.

Kaufusi received a two-match suspension for reckless striking in London's 25-16 win against Bradford, while James will miss one Super League fixture after being charged with dangerous contact during Salford's 52-6 loss at Warrington.