Garrod blow for beaten Siddal

Garrod, arguably the side’s most influential player, suffered a suspected broken foot in his side’s 36-26 home defeat by Egremont Rangers.

Siddal were out for the count at 36-4 down early in the second half but scored 22 points without reply in the final half hour to save some embarrassment.

The Chevinedge men remain top of the Premier on points difference because West Hull were also beaten at home, 28-10 by Leigh Miners Rangers.

Siddal were no match for the Cumbrians, who surged into an 18-0 lead after 17 minutes with tries from backs Jack Stainton, Paul Corkhill and stand-off John-Paul Brocklebank, who kicked the first three of his six goals.

A Billy Hammond try goaled by Gareth Blackburn on 21 minutes got the home side up and running but Egremont cut loose through replacement Stephen Fox, Corkhill’s second and their star man, hooker Matt Henson, three minutes after the break.

Two tries from centre Scott Caley, with one in between from winger William Forsyth, all goaled by Blackburn, helped Siddal claw their way back to 20-36 just after the hour.

When replacement Steve Illingworth touched down and Blackburn converted with 14 minutes left, Siddal had an outside chance of a glorious comeback but they could make no further headway.

Elland maintained their promotion drive behind Kells in Division Two, registering a 38-12 success over fallen giants Leigh East at Greetland.

However, Ovenden slipped three points behind Dudley Hill in fifth place after losing 34-10 away to their Bradford opponents.

Tries from backs Martin Mullen and Aaron Brown, plus an Ash Taylor goal, helped Ovenden into a 10-6 interval lead but Dudley Hill turned the game around emphatically in the second half.