An investigation has been launched by the Bradford League into why a player failed to show for the White Rose Trophy second-round match against the Huddersfield League at Morley.

Bradford, who last won the trophy in 2001, were well beaten on the day and have now gone out of the competition early for the second successive year. Last season they were knocked out in the first round on the toss of a coin.

League secretary Bob Shackleton was mystified by the player's non-appearance.

"One player failed to turn up but I can't give you a name until we have investigated why," he said. "We don't know what happened to him at all. It is a complete mystery.

"This is the first time this has happened in 30 years. We had a 12th man who played. Richard Soulsby stepped in and kept wicket for us."

Bradford batted first and scored 185 for nine. They lost Cleckheaton's Adam Patel with the score on one and no batsman was able to take charge of the situation. Bankfoot's Ian Nicholson top-scored with 43.

Huddersfield were more comfortable with the bat and their opener James Noble hit 12 fours in his knock of 61.