The numbers didn’t add up for St Joseph’s as they suffered a 50-16 home Pennine League Championship I defeat to Batley Boys.

Both teams started with only 14 players available, with the use of a single substitute key to the outcome of the contest.

The opening 20 minutes proved even and both teams crossed for two tries and a conversion, with full-back Shaun Mitchell and centre Scott Colley crossing for Joe’s and winger Nick Mitchell adding a conversion.

Unfortunately, it was then the Saints’ injury curse struck.

Captain Joe Flaherty hurt his ribs and was forced to move out on to the wing and minutes later prop Tom Guinan suffered a knee injury and had to leave the field, meaning Joe’s had no interchanges.

The lack of Flaherty’s influence in the middle soon started to tell, with Batley scoring two converted tries before half-time to lead 22-10 at the break.

In the second half things got worse as Flaherty had to come off with his rib problem and centre Scott Colley was also carried off with an ankle injury.

As a result, Joe’s played most of the second half with 11 players and Batley took full advantage to score five further tries and four conversions.

A high point for the home team came midway through the second period when back-rower Adam Harrison scored a consolation try, converted by loose forward Jason Oldfield.

Men-of-the-match for Joe’s were hooker Joel Hawkyard, prop Darren Schofield and Shaun Mitchell, but all of the players put in a superb effort in completing the game.

That defeat summed up a tough day for Huddersfield’s teams, with fellow Championship club Newsome Panthers going down at Brotherton Bulldogs to the same 50-16 scoreline.

At the same time, Lindley Swifts bowed out of the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy at the third-round stage with a 16-6 defeat at Siddal.

All the other games featuring the town’s teams were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Meanwhile, a dramatic last-gasp Francis Maloney try gave Mirfield Stags their first competitive triumph and ensured a victorious start to life at Castle Hall as coach Richard Silverwood’s men edged out Normanton Knights A 26-24 in round two of The Forty-20 Cup.

Club captain Maloney’s decisive try was the 11th of what proved a thrilling contest, played out in front of over 250 fans.

Mirfield boss and top Super League referee Silverwood welcomed back key players including loose forward Wayne Wilson, who went on to score a pair of vital tries before claiming the man-of-the-match accolade.

The win over the Knights means Mirfield keep their place in the Forty-20 Cup, with Milford Marlins A lying in wait this Saturday, in round three, at Castle Hall (2.30pm).

Elsewhere, Mirfield Stags Academy gave a brave account of themselves before going down 42-10 at Shaw Cross Sharks A in their first-ever outing.

RESULTS

Pennine Presidents Cup. Round III: King Cross Park 18 Allerton Bywater 24, Morley Borough 18 Bentley Good Companions 0 (Walkover).

Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy. Round III: Siddal 16 Lindley Swifts 6, Stanningley 0 Hunslet Club Parkside 18 (Walkover).

Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy. Round II: Woodhouse Warriors 18 Stainland Stags 34.

Pennine Supplementary Cup. Round IV: Crofton Cougars 38 Sherburn Bears 10, Eastmoor Dragons 18 Dewsbury Celtic 0 (Walkover), Selby Warriors 100 Beeston Broncos 4.

Halifax ARL Joe Blackford Memorial Cup. Round II: Illingworth A 42 Brighouse Rangers A 12.

Pennine League. Premier Division: Queens postponed Upton (Boiler Failure), Queensbury 10 West Bowling 20.

Championship I Division: Brotherton Bulldogs 50 Newsome Panthers 16, Odsal Sedbergh 24 New Earswick All Blacks 32, St Joseph’s 16 Batley Boys 50.

Division I: Boothtown Terriers 30 Dalton 0 (Walkover), Ossett Trinity 42 Victoria Rangers 6, West Leeds 70 Sharlston Rovers A 6.

Division II: CK Vikings 48 West Craven Warriors 12, Greetland All Rounders 22 Wyke 34.

Division III: Clayton 32 Whinmoor Warriors 34, Crigglestone All Blacks 12 Queensbury A 32.

Division IV: Emley Moor 14 Wakefield City 30, Farnley Falcons abandoned Wortley Dragons (Player Injury), West Bowling A 16 Dearne Valley Bulldogs 36.

Division V: East Leeds 8 Keighley Albion 30, Guiseley Rangers 28 Moorends Thorne Marauders 32, Ovenden 64 Hollinwood 20.

Division VI East: Dewsbury Moor A 26 Leeds Underdogs 14, Drighlington A 14 Halton Moor Storm 28, Ryhill Hammers 14 Allerton Bywater A 18.

Division VI West: Cowling Harlequins 12 Queensbury B 36, Meltham All Blacks postponed Boothtown Terriers A, Victoria Rangers A postponed Greetland All Rounders A, Worth Village 28 Odsal Sedbergh A 6, Wyke A 36 King Cross Park A 12.