The Our League cameras went up to Millom on Saturday where viewers, locals and travelling supporters were treated to an excellent game of rugby league that just kept ahead of the wet weather that swept in after full-time.
Oldham St Annes form has seen them climb into pole position in Division Three and with their expansive approach it is easy to see why they are having such a successful campaign.
Things started brightly with both sides testing the other out. St Annes had the first chance but Richard Pogson saw his pass drift forward. Three minutes in, Millom had a scrum and gave new recruit Hosea Saumaki the ball and a rampaging run saw him beat three players over seventy-five metres for a spectacular introduction to Rugby League for the former Leicester Tiger and Tonga RU international. Lee Postlethwaite added the first for five goals and the hosts were 6-0 up.
St Annes responded on the back of some outstanding work from Sam Akeroyd and strike centre Jack Etchells when Callum Fletcher darted over for a score three minutes later and Pogson struck the conversion to level matters at 6-6.
A quality contest saw the teams go toe to toe with Jack Connor and Kyle Saunders working well for the visitors while Kian McPherson, Dom O'Brien and player-assistant coach Bradd Crellin stood up for the hosts.
St Annes missed a couple of chances with wide passes and link-ups not quite going right and some subtle play in the middle from Crellin brought a running chance for McPherson and he stormed through from twenty metres in the 28th minute.
Halfback Jack Newbegin landed a superb 40-20 for Millom six minutes later and St Annes winger Connor Rose kicked the ball away in frustration. This was judged to be a delay of the game and he was promptly sin-binned.
With seconds remaining in the first half, Crellin came up with an ad-libbed offload through his legs and Ethan Kelly touched down at the side of the posts. Postlethwaite added his third goal to open an 18-6 advantage at half-time.
At the start of the second half, St Annes efforts were renewed and Callum Cashin was just tackled in the corner by Jackson Evans with assistance from Amanaki Saumaki.
Pogson kicked a 40-20 for St Annes in the 47th minute and in almost exact same circumstances as Rose in the first half, Niall Harris from Millom was sin-binned for delaying the restart. Almost immediately, the visitors took the ball close through James Shaw before Fletcher burst through from dummy half for his second try of the game and tenth of a productive season. Pogson goaled to close the deficit to six points. Although Millom continued to probe, they weren't making as much ground due to some excellent defence but they finally got the breakthrough when quick passes right from Crellin and O'Brien saw Amanaki Saumaki burst through and step inside fullback Kieron McGinnity on a forty-metre run in the 63rd minute. Postlethwaite goaled to open a twelve-point lead.
With five minutes remaining, Millom went upfield again but McPherson received high contact from James Barran and the steady Postlethwaite, who gave his halfbacks Newbegin and Jonathan Hodgson great support, completed his five-goal haul to ensure a 26-12 lead. At this stage, a comeback looked unlikely but St Annes did get the final try two minutes later when Barran and McGinnity moved the ball wide and Rose, now in the centre, pierced the line. Pogson couldn't add the goal, and Millom completed the win.
The Millom's victory keeps them firmly in the play-off picture while Ellenborough Rangers 20-18 win over Leigh East moves them level on points with both East and St Annes with just a few games to go. Elsewhere in the division, Hensingham were pipped by Bentley and Beverley shook off a determined effort from Eastmoor Dragons.
In the Premier Division Hunslet swept aside the challenge of Thatto Heath Crusaders, Rochdale Mayfield bounced back to form at Leigh Miners Rangers, Wath Brow Hornets had the edge on Kells, West Hull continued their impressive form with a good win over Siddal, Lock Lane edged Hull Dockers in a thriller and York Acorn celebrated success at Wigan St Pats.
Crosfields accounted for Pilkington Recs on Friday evening and there was another win for West Bowling at Heworth. Clock Face Miners and Oulton Raiders fought out a 30-30 draw while Egremont collected a decent win at Stanningley
In Division Two, Waterhead Warriors were in irresistible form as they won 90-8 against Myton. Normanton Knights also picked up an important home win over Shaw Cross Sharks, Wigan St Judes defeated Barrow Island, Woolston Rovers got an away win at Milford while Dewsbury Celtic and Dewsbury Moor Maroons both won their respective games against East Leeds and Saddleworth Rangers.
RESULTS
FRI 7TH JULY 2023
Division One
- Crosfields 26 Pilkington Recs 12
SAT 8TH JULY 2023
Premier Division
- Wigan St Patricks 12 York Acorn 22
- West Hull 28 Siddal 6
- Wath Brow Hornets 16 Kells 2
- Rochdale Mayfield 44 Leigh Miners Rangers 22
- Lock Lane 20 Hull Dockers 19
- Hunslet ARLFC 48 Thatto Heath Crusaders 0
Division One
- Thornhill Trojans 10 Ince Rose Bridge 36
- Stanningley 16 egremont Rangers 40
- Heworth 10 West Bowling 22
- Clock Face Miners 30 Oulton Raiders 30
Division Two
- Waterhead Warriors 90 Myton Warriors 8
- Wigan St Judes 20 Barrow Island 12
- Normanton Knights 35 Shaw Cross Sharks 20
- Milford 16 Woolston Rovers 24
- Dewsbury Celtic 24 East Leeds 0
- Dewsbury Moor Maroons 28 Saddleworth Rangers 20
Division Three
- Millom 26 Oldham St Annes 16
- Hensingham 16 Bentley 26
- Ellenborough Rangers 20 Leigh East 18
- Beverley 27 Eastmoor Dragons 12
This week's fixtures are as follows:
FRI 14TH JULY
Division One
- Ince Rose Bridge v Crosfields
SAT 15TH JULY
Premier Division
- Hull Dockers v Wath Brow Hornets
- Hunslet ARLFC v Rochdale Mayfield
- Kells v West Hull
- Leigh Miners Rangers v Wigan St Patricks
- Siddal v Thatto Heath Crusaders
- York Acorn v Lock Lane
Division One
- Egremont Rangers v Clock Face Miners
- Oulton Raiders v Thornhill Trojans
- Pilkington Recs v Heworth
- Skirlaugh v Stanningley
Division Two
- Barrow Island v Waterhead Warriors
- East Leeds v Shaw Cross Sharks
- Myton Warriors v Dewsbury Moor Maroons
- Normanton Knights v Milford
- Saddleworth Rangers v Wigan St Judes
- Woolston Rovers v Dewsbury Celtic
Division Three
- Bentley v Beverley
- Eastmoor Dragons v Ellenborough Rangers
- Hensingham v Millom
- Leigh East v Seaton Rangers
- Oldham St Annes v Drighlington
By Dave Parkinson
Image - Ben Challis
