HALIFAX will be reported to the Rugby League after refusing to play in Sunday's Paul Rowley testimonial game at Leigh.

What should have been the final pre-season warm-up game for both clubs ended in farce as Halifax claimed part of the Hilton Park pitch was unplayable because of frost.

Groundstaff worked for over an hour in an effort to get the game on, but even after match referee Karl Kirkpatrick deemed the pitch playable, Halifax stuck to their guns, climbed back on the team coach and drove away.

Kirkpatrick said: "After the groundstaff had worked on the pitch I deemed it playable at 2.30pm. But Halifax simply refused to play.

"I've never been involved in anything like that before, and don't think I ever will again. I will be reporting Halifax to the League."

Leigh general manager, Mike Callaghan, said: "It's the first time in 14 years of me being associated with rugby league that a referee has called a game 'on', and the coach of the way team decides it's 'off' and promptly leaves the ground. It's all a bit perplexing.

"We're not happy about it but the person I feel for most is Paul Rowley, especially after he's served both clubs with distinction.

"To be perfectly honest, had Halifax wanted to play a game, then it would have been on.

"Our team was more than happy to play on that surface and the referee was happy too.

"We play on much harder pitches in summer."

Halifax chairman Howard Ponser took a different view. "I unequivocally stand by our coach's decision not to play in order to maintain the safety of the players from both clubs."

The game has now been re-arranged for Wednesday night, kick off 7.45pm