Crosfields begin NCL season with Skirlaugh win - Match Report:
New boss Rob Campbell registered his first win of the season after this Round One clash in Division One went the way of the hosts.
Visiting Skirlaugh were well served by fullback Harrison Morrow, loose forward and skipper Josh Oliver, and goal-kicking second row Alex Gilbey but were ultimately second best to a Brad Stanway-inspired Crosfields.
The scrum-half kicked well and guided his side around before adding a crucial try that put daylight between the sides as a heavy downpour swept through.
The hosts began well with Tom Millington grounding for their first try after six minutes and Stanway goaled. Ten minutes later Crosfields hit double digits with a switch right and Jack Williams finished a lovely pass from Corey Lee. It was too far out for Stanway to convert, but the great start continued for the Warrington side when Alex Clutterbuck stormed over after 21 minutes, and it was 14-0.
Following that score, Skirlaugh responded with Oliver leading from the front and they were back in contention just before the half-hour mark when Jack Danby scored a great try in the corner, showing excellent footwork in the process. Gilbey converted. It was Danby at the double minutes from the break when Jordan Webster grubber kicked, and the centre pounced for his second try. This time it was too wide for Gilbey, but it closed the half at 14-10 to the hosts.
The second half brought the rain showers and the visitors saw a yellow card when Callum Tranmer was sin-binned for use of an elbow in the 50th minute. While Skirlaugh were still down to twelve players, Stanway crossed. It was a fancy halfback try too as he appeared to slow down to escape the clutches of a middle defender before breaking clear to dive under the posts emphatically. Nathan Taylor took over kicking duties and converted to make it 20-10 after 57 minutes.
Clutterbuck was sin-binned for Crosfields after a professional foul following a Skirlaugh break, but the visitors couldn't break through and a frustrated Morrow was sin-binned. Crosfields then secured victory in the last minute when a well-weighted kick from Stanway proved Skirlaugh's undoing, and Luke Walker ran through for the scoring touch. Taylor completed the scoring with the goal and Crosfields celebrated a 26-10 success.
National Conference League Round 1 Round-Up:
There were only a few points scored as only three games survived in the Premier Division. Wath Brow Hornets claimed a 14-0 success over Rochdale Mayfield, while West Hull emerged with a 6-10 win at Egremont and Hunslet ARLFC won at Siddal 4-6.
Elsewhere in Division One, a last-minute try by Jake Butterfield was all that separated promoted sides Dewsbury Moor and Waterhead with Moor winning 8-4. Ince Rose Bridge then toughed out a 14-6 win at Stanningley, and a late penalty goal from Brad Smith saw Wigan St Pats come out on top 22-20 at Leigh Miners Rangers. Woolston also managed to hold on to 20-16 win against Oulton Raiders.
Division Two saw a plethora of close games. Dewsbury Celtic beat promoted Oldham St Annes 14-4, and Ellenborough Rangers, who were playing their first game in this section, defeated Barrow Island 12-10. Elsewhere, Normanton Knights collected a 25-16 away win at Myton Warriors, Wigan St Judes edged Millom 14-12, and Shaw Cross Sharks had a winning opening against Saddleworth. Drier conditions at Pilkington Recs suited rejuvenated Thornhill Trojans who won 34-18.
There was a winning start to NCL life for Distington in Division Three, who won 6-0 at Hensingham thanks to a converted try in the fifth minute, while East Leeds had a comfortable 38-4 success in their derby with Milford. Lastly, Leigh East swept aside Featherstone Lions 74-0.
Next weekend sees the official opening of Bentley's new clubhouse when they host Hensingham in Division Three. Distington also have their first home game against Milford. Other games to look out for include in the Premier Division derby between Kells and Egremont Rangers while Thatto Heath Crusaders host Watch Brow Hornets.
Results (Saturday 2 March 2024):
Premier Division:
Egremont Rangers 6 West Hull 10
Siddal 4 Hunslet ARLFC 6
Wath Brow Hornets 14 Rochdale Mayfield 0
Division One:
Crosfields 26 Skirlaugh 10
Dewsbury Moor 8 Waterhead Warriors 4
Leigh Miners Rangers 20 Wigan St Patricks 22
Stanningley 6 Ince Rose Bridge 14
Woolston Rovers 20 Oulton Raiders 16
Division Two:
Dewsbury Celtic 14 Oldham St Annes 4
Ellenborough Rangers 12 Barrow Island 10
Myton Warriors 16 Normanton Knights 25
Pilkington Recs 18 Thornhill Trojans 34
Shaw Cross Sharks 18 Saddleworth Rangers 4
Wigan St Judes 14 Millom 12
Division Three:
Hensingham 0 Distington 6
Leigh East 74 Featherstone Lions 0
Milford 4 East Leeds 38
Upcoming fixtures (Saturday 9 March 2024):
Premier Division:
Hunslet ARLFC v Lock Lane
Kells v Egremont Rangers
Rochdale Mayfield v Siddal
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Wath Brow Hornets
West Hull v West Bowling
Division One:
Clock Face Miners v Stanningley
Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Crosfields
Oulton Raiders v Leigh Miners Rangers
Ince Rose Bridge v Waterhead Warriors
Skirlaugh v Woolston Rovers
Wigan St Patricks vHull Dockers
Division Two:
Millom v Pilkington Recs
Barrow Island v Myton Warriors
Thornhill Trojans v Shaw Cross Sharks
Saddleworth Rangers v Ellenborough
Normanton Knights v Dewsbury Celtic
Oldham St Annes v Wigan St Judes
Division Three:
Bentley v Hensingham
Distington v Milford
Drighlington v Leigh East
East Leeds v Seaton Rangers
By Dave Parkinson
