Cup tie postponed as Halifax face RFL probe

The Rugby Football League are investigating Halifax's selection of 22-year-old prop Michael Ostick in their win over Swinton on Friday, April 16, after he had previously played for Rochdale in a third-round tie against French club Lezignan on Sunday, March 7.

RFL Operational Rule B4:15 states that: "The RFL board shall disqualify any competing club which it determines to have fielded an ineligible player save where the club can show there is no fault or negligence."

Yesterday's match was postponed just three and a half hours before the scheduled kick-off and both clubs went into the hat for last night's quarter-final draw.

The RFL tightened up the rules on Challenge Cup eligibility two years ago after Hull were fined 100,000 – 40,000 of it suspended – for playing Jamie Thackray in ties against Rochdale and Widnes when he was not on the Cup register.

Hull went on to reach the final at Wembley, where they lost to St Helens.

If Halifax are expelled from this year's competition, it is likely that Swinton will be reinstated and they would play Batley for a place in the last eight.

Halifax chairman Michael Steele said: "We are co-operating fully with the RFL and we have launched an internal investigation.

"We have no further comment."

Super League leaders Wigan ran in 12 tries – including hat-tricks from Sam Tomkins and Karl Pryce – to ease past Widnes Vikings 64-10 and book their place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

The injury-hit Championship side had no match to the attacking invention of a Warrior team inspired by a sparkling performance from England stand-off Tomkins.

He repeatedly unlocked the Widnes defence with his electric pace and also got on the scoresheet with 16 points, through three tries and two conversions.