Leigh Leopards, Huddersfield Giants abandoned match rescheduled as Super League issue fresh statement
Leigh's match with Huddersfield on Friday night was abandoned due to a floodlight failure at the Leigh Sports Village
Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants will resume play on Sunday after their match at the Leigh Sports Village on Friday was abandoned due to a floodlight failure.
The Leopards were 16-12 ahead at the LSV when the floodlights failed, and a power cut unfolded in the 48th minute of Friday’s game.
Players and officials were withdrawn from the field, initially for 10 minutes, with messages spread to supporters to remain in the ground while attempts were made to rectify the issue and get the power back on.
But at around 10pm, it was confirmed that the power wouldn’t be returning, and that the Round 24 clash had to be abandoned.
Following consultation with the clubs, Super League and the Rugby Football League have now confirmed that play will resume on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.
The game will resume from exactly the position at which it was interrupted, with Leigh leading 16-12 with 32 minutes to be played.
Super League statement on rescheduled Leigh Leopards, Huddersfield Giants match
Super League have issued a full statement following consultation with both clubs, explaining the reasoning behind finishing the game this weekend rather than rearranging it for a later point.
The statement in full read: “Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants will make history this weekend by resuming the Betfred Super League fixture that was left unfinished on Friday night because of a floodlight failure at the Leigh Sports Village.
“The RFL Board, which has total discretion in such matters under Operational Rule B1:29, considered submissions from both clubs, and the executives of the RFL and Rugby League Commercial, and has ordered that the match should be resumed at 3pm on Sunday afternoon (September 3) from exactly the position at which it was interrupted.
“That leaves 32 minutes to be played, with Leigh Leopards leading 16-12.
“This unanimous decision, which is thought to be unprecedented in rugby league although it does follow examples from other sports, was taken with a number of factors in mind: fairness to both teams; importantly, the welfare of both sets of players, given the lack of time remaining in the season for a rearranged fixture; the ability of spectators to watch the match, especially those who had bought tickets for Friday night; and logistical issues at the Leigh Sports Village.
“The latter two factors were especially important in determining a Sunday resumption rather than a midweek date.
“In addition, the Board noted that both clubs play their next fixtures next Friday (September 8), and the importance of competition integrity for all clubs in the Betfred Super League.
“There are no specific criteria in the Operational Rules regarding the time elapsed in a match before a result should stand, or at what point it should be replayed, such matters are left entirely to the discretion of the RFL’s independent Board.
“The clubs will make further announcements regarding ticketing arrangements for the resumption of the match.
“In addition to the scoreline, the match will resume exactly as it was left on Friday night in terms of the numbers of interchanges remaining, and with the same team of match officials.”
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