AMATEURS Siddal nearly pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the recent history of rugby league’s Challenge Cup after running new moneybags pro club Toronto Wolfpack close in today’s third round.

Toronto have joined the likes of York City Knights in Kingstone Press League One this year to a major fanfare, having put together an expensive squad under former Great Britain boss Brian Noble which is expected to walk to promotion.

But, in the wind and rain and mud of Siddal’s Exley Lane ground, they had to come from behind twice to edge the National Conference League premier division battlers 14-6.

The Halifax outfit, having initially led 2-0 thanks to a penalty, went 6-4 ahead midway through the second half with a try by Gareth Blackburn, Toronto unable to defend a low kick in the terrible conditions.

But Greg Worthington, part of the Leigh side that won promotion to Super League last year, arced into the left corner to finally break down the amateur’s heroic goal-line defence for a second time.

As Siddal tired late on, former Salford and Bradford prop Adam Sidlow then sealed matters, with ex-Hull, Hull KR and Wakefield ace Craig Hall goaling.

That was not the end of the action, though, Toronto’s big former New Zealand international prop, Fuifui Moimoi, being sent off for a high tackle.

York host Siddal’s NCL premier division rivals, Egremont Rangers, at Bootham Crescent tomorrow (3pm).