Halifax thrown out of Challenge Cup

HALIFAX have been disqualified from the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup after fielding an ineligible player.

The RFL board of directors has ruled their most recent opponents in the competition - Swinton Lions - will now be re-instated and take Halifax's place in the fifth round, playing Batley Bulldogs on Wednesday May 19.

Prop Matt Ostick had played for Halifax against Swinton in their fourth round win on April 16 despite having featured with Rochdale in a third round tie against FC Lezignan on March 7.

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That resulted in Halifax's game with Batley being postponed on Sunday - just three-and-a-half hours before kick-off.

Halifax coach Matt Calland has paid the price for his club's disqualification by being has been suspended by the club, pending the outcome of an internal inquiry.

RFL Chairman Richard Lewis said: "The rules governing player eligibility in the Carnegie Challenge Cup clearly state that when a team is found to have fielded an ineligible player they will be disqualified from that year's tournament.

"Halifax's action leaves the RFL Board of Directors with no alternative but to disqualify the club and reinstate their most recent opponents."

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The West Yorkshire club have won the Challenge Cup five times, the last time being against St Helens in 1987.

Although now in the Championship, they could conceivably have at least reached the semi-finals this season, given the winners of the fifth round tie will have a home draw against Super League's struggling bottom club Catalans Dragons in the next round.