Halifax on wrong end of late drama as Ridyard kicks them out of Cup

In freezing conditions more reminiscent of mid-January than late April, Karl Harrison’s visitors led 16-6 at the break before seeing their lead pegged as Leigh, 32-18 winners at the Shay nine days ago, rallied in the second half.

Leigh then went 18-16 ahead, before their visitors levelled on the final move of a compelling game through Paul Handforth’s penalty.

It had taken 24 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, Handforth’s kick rebounding off two Leigh players, referee Phil Bentham waving play on and half back Anthony Thackeray cleaning up for the try.

Lee Paterson converted for a 6-0 lead and it should have doubled immediately as the visitors swept down the right through Thackeray and team-mate Dane Manning.

They did everything right until the final pass, Ben Heaton giving Rob Worrincy a ball that never looked on and the winger was unable to reel it in.

They paid a high price for their profligacy, two penalties ferrying Leigh downfield and John Duffy twisted over and Ridyard levelled with the conversion.

Fax surged back though and Dane Manning’s lofted pass to the right gave Worrincy enough room to score the try he should have had five minutes earlier.

Paterson was on target from the touchline as half-time approached and Fax’s 12-6 lead became 16-6 just before the hooter, Paterson diving over.

Leigh replied with tries from Tommy Goulden and James Laithwaite, both converted by Ridyard, to put them ahead for the first time at 18-16.

The loss of Heaton with a suspected broken leg put Fax at a further disadvantage, but they battled back to level the contest with Handforth’s penalty after obstruction on Wayne Reittie.

Then came Ridyard’s late effort to deny Halifax a place in the quarter-final draw.

Leigh: McNally, Maden, Littler, Gardner, Pownall; Ridyard, Duffy; Ostick, Beswick, Parker, Laithwaite, Goulden, Briscoe. Substitutes: Brierley, Hopkins, Nash, Gallagher.

Halifax: Fieldhouse, Worrincy, Patterson, Heaton, Reittie; Hanforth, Thackery; Robinson, Penkywicz, Ambler, Manning, Divorty, Ashall. Substitutes: Casey, Gannon, Barlow, Morrison.

Referee: P Bentham (RFL).