LANCASHIRE RFU have ruled in favour of Manchester Under 16s progressing to the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup at the expense of Sedgley Park - on the toss of a coin.

The game between the two was due to take place last Sunday at Grove Park, with a 12.30pm kick-off , which the Sedgley side declined.

Manchester claimed demand for pitches and changing rooms as the reason for the late kick-off, but competition rules state games should begin between 10.30am and 12noon, and only after that time with the agreement of both sides..

A compromise appeared to have been reached when Sedgley arrived ready for a noon kick-off, having discovered a free changing room and pitch at Grove Park.

However, when the home team had not arrived by 12.10pm Sedgley departed.

The matter was referred to the Lancashire RFU Competitions Committee who decided that both clubs had contributed to the match not being played.

A coin was then tossed with Mancheaster the winners. They now go forward to face Leigh.

"We feel quite aggrieved at the way this has been handled," said Sedgley Under 16s team manager, Mike Hughson.

"We told Manchester that if they were struggling to host the game they could switch it to Sedgely, then we offered a noon kick-off as a compromise

"But even for a 12.30pm kick-off they were not at their own ground by 12.10pm."

When contacted, a spokesman for Lancashire's junior rugby competitions committee declined to comment.