Super League: Leigh vs Huddersfield abandoned due to floodlight failure
Play was abandoned after a floodlight failure at Leigh Sports Village; a decision will be made on Saturday with regards to when the game will be replayed; just three more weeks remain before the play-offs, so any rearrangement could mean a midweek game
Last Updated: 01/09/23 11:16pm
Leigh's Super League clash with Huddersfield was abandoned after 49 minutes with the home side leading 16-12 because of floodlight failure at Leigh Sports Village.
Stadium staff tried in vain to resolve the issue for 55 minutes before a decision was eventually made to call the game off.
Fans waited patiently for an update on the fault hoping the game would resume but the decision was taken to abandon the game at around 10pm.
Two tries from Josh Charnley and one from Tom Briscoe gave Leigh the lead with Jake Connor replying for the Giants, scoring a try in each half.
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Leigh owner Derek Beaumont addressed the crowd apologising for the problems and asked supporters to leave the stadium in an orderly manner. A decision on when the game will be replayed will be made on Saturday.
Ireland international second rower Frankie Halton returned to the Leigh team for the first time since suffering a torn pectoral muscle against Warrington on May 26.
Leigh centre Zak Hardaker was selected for his 350th career appearance.
Huddersfield were without Olly Russell who suffered a broken hand in last Sunday's win at Leeds. Will Pryce switched to full-back meaning Connor started in the halves with Tui Lolohea.
Since winning the Challenge Cup final, Leigh had suffered successive defeats against Catalans Dragons and Hull KR but they started the game with great purpose.
Tom Amone and Tom Briscoe both spurned scoring opportunities in the early moments but Leigh finally took the lead in the seventh minute. Charnley touched down in the corner as he chased an angled kick by Gareth O'Brien but Ben Reynolds was unable to add the conversion.
Huddersfield were level against the run of play in the 15th minute when Connor spotted a gap and stepped his way to the tryline from close range. Pryce's conversion edged the Giants ahead 6-4.
The Leopards quickly restored their lead in the 20th minute. Briscoe made a defence-clearing run after taking a high kick from Lolohea and the ball was switched to the opposite wing where Oliver Gildart fed Charnley who produced a classy finish from 20 metres. Reynolds converted brilliantly from the touchline and Leigh led 10-6.
With half-time looming, Leigh scored a third try. Reynolds and Hardaker combined on the right edge leaving Briscoe with space to score in the corner. Reynolds once again converted brilliantly to open up a 10-point lead.
Connor scored his and Huddersfield's second try within five minutes of the restart. Lolohea sent a high kick to the corner and Connor leapt highest to collect and score. Pryce's conversion made it 16-12.
With Leigh pressing deep inside the Huddersfield half, play was halted by referee Liam Moore and the players retreated to the changing rooms.
