Clubs booted out of Challenge Cup

Community clubs Rochdale Mayfield and Hull Dockers have been expelled from the Challenge Cup for fielding ineligible players.

The Hull Dockers team that defeated Leigh Miners Rangers 10-6 in the first round featured Richard Lamplough, who was not registered to play for them in 2015.

In their 38-0 victory over the British Police on Sunday February 1, Rochdale Mayfield played Sean Mulcahy, who had been transferred to Littleborough at the end of last season and not re-registered as a Mayfield player for this season.

They were found guilty by an independent RFL Operational Rules Tribunal, which heard that both clubs had been given repeated opportunities by the RFL to confirm their squad lists prior to the fixtures being played.

Any appeals submitted by either club will be heard on Wednesday night.

It means that Great Britain Police and Leigh Miners Rangers have been reinstated, and will take on Widnes West Bank and Walney Central respectively in the second round this weekend.