SIDDAL have suffered a massive setback in their bid to be crowned National Conference League Premier Division champions.
After moving to the top of the table a fortnight ago, the men from Chevinedge went down 36-22 at mid-table Leigh East.
The visitors would have expected to secure a 14th success of the season against a side that have struggled to make a telling impression and had won just seven fixtures going into the latest clash.
And after taking a 10-6 interval lead through tries from winger Emerson Newburn and full-back Scott Caley and a Gareth Blackburn goal, Siddal would have been hoping to push on.
But that never proved the case as the home side took the second half by storm and built up a 20-point advantage.
Centre Richard Lopag and substitute Gareth English did cross for late scores and centre Blackburn landed two more goals, but they were little more than consolation efforts.
The victory will have hit Siddal hard, particularly as they slipped down to third in the table as a result, but they will be determined to bounce back at home to fifth-placed Wigan St Patrick’s on Saturday.
There was also a bitterly disappointing defeat for Second Division Ovenden as they were beaten 42-14 at Askam.
The visitors travelled to Cumbria with just 16 men and this took its toll in the second half when the hosts took complete command.
Ovenden’s tries came from Martin Mullen and Nial Brady, who also added three goals.
They will clearly be hoping for far better when they host Featherstone Lions this weekend, while Elland are at Shaw Cross Sharks.
