Thornhill Trojans return to winning ways with Myton Warriors victory - Match Report:
Thornhill Trojans bounced back from two disappointing defeats to claim a hard-fought 30-14 victory over Myton Warriors in National Conference League Division Two on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon.
Scott Craven was a standout performer for the Trojans with some powerful runs, showcasing his growing impact as his fitness improves after returning from injury. Rye Ward also had a superb performance in the second row after a long absence due to injury.
The Trojans were forced to make a last-minute change when Scott Green pulled up injured during the warm-up. This meant Oliver Brown had to be quickly drafted in, demonstrating the team's adaptability.
The Trojans started strong, with Scott Craven crashing over the line for the opening try, converted by Joel Gibson. Liam Pritchard then added another try in the corner after a good run down the wing, with Gibson again converting. Just before half-time, Gibson's high kick was expertly collected by Liam Pritchard for his third unconverted try, extending the Trojans' lead to 16-0.
The second half brought a spirited fightback from Myton Warriors. Rikki Robinson scored two quick tries in succession, the second converted by Jack Sanderson, to bring the score to 16-12.
However, the Trojans steadied themselves and regained control. Joel Gibson kicked a penalty, followed by two tries from Rye Ward, both converted by Gibson. A late consolation try for Myton Warriors, scored by Dave Brooke and missed in the conversion, sealed the win for Thornhill Trojans at 30-14.
National Conference League Round 4 Round-Up:
It was another weather-affected round in the Premier Division. A tight contest at Kells ended in an 8-8 draw with Hunslet ARLFC despite the hosts outscoring the champions by two tries to one. Lock Lane fell short against Heworth by a score of 22-10, whilst Rochdale Mayfield continued their strong start to the season with a 20-0 win over York Acorn.
Siddal also claimed their second win on the bounce with a big home scalp, edging out West Hull 20-6. Thatto Heath Crusaders had too much for Egremont Rangers, winning 22-6 - and Wath Brow enjoyed a seven-try success against West Bowling, Sam Curwen claiming 16 points. Bowling and Lock Lane remain without wins after four rounds.
In Division One, Clock Face Miners held off a determined Skirlaugh 20-12. While at the top of the embryonic table, Dewsbury Moor Maroons remain unbeaten with a hard-fought 24-6 victory over Wigan St Patricks. Crosfields edged Ince Rose Bridge 24-18 and Waterhead Warriors enjoyed their first win of the campaign with a 26-16 home success over Leigh Miners Rangers.
Oulton Raiders enjoyed a brilliant first half against Stanningley, leading 20-0 at the break before having enough to hold off a determined effort from the visitors in the second half and secure a 30-18 success. A hat-trick from Harry Files was just enough to see Woolston Rovers home against winless Hull Dockers, 34-28.
Elsewhere in Division Two, Barrow Island claimed a narrow win over Normanton Knights, just edging the contest 18-16. Zac Olstrum and John Todd were the heroes for Ellenborough Rangers, scoring two and three tries respectively to ensure a 36-6 success over Pilkington Recs. Millom held on to a narrow win on home soil downing Dewsbury Celtic 12-4, whilst Shaw Cross Sharks remain at the top of the table with their fourth win of the campaign - this time a 24-14 success at Oldham St Annes. Wigan St Judes defensive efforts in the second half were rewarded as they held on to claim a 20-18 win at Saddleworth.
Bentley collected their first win of the season with a 20-16 home success over Featherstone Lions over in Division Three, and previously unbeaten Distington let slip a 20-0 half-time advantage with Beverey going on to claim a famous 22-26 win thanks to a hat-trick from Tom Burnett. Two tries each from Kieron Prescott and Andy Ball also helped Leigh East to a 28-6 away success at Seaton Rangers, and Drighlington won 26-12 at Milford.
Results (Saturday 23 March 2024):
Premier Division:
Kells 8 Hunslet ARLFC 8
Kells. T – G Gainford, L Smith
Hunslet. T – C McShane; G – J Gale 2
Lock Lane 10 Heworth 22
Lane. T – Martin, Newbould; G - Butler
Villagers. T – Briggs, Richmond, Sadler, Sturdy; G – Allen 3
Rochdale Mayfield 20 York Acorn 0
Mayfield. T – Butterworth 2, Wright, Connolly; G – Parr 2
York. T - G -
Siddal 20 West Hull 6
Siddal. T – Milnes, Walsh, H Williams, J Greenwood; G – Hosty 2
Wests. T – Masike; G – Wilson
Thatto Heath Crusaders 22 Egremont Rangers 6
Crusaders. T – Holroyd, Houghton, Ashurst, Pilling; G – Pilling 3
Rangers. T – Elwood; G – M Bewsher
Wath Brow Hornets 36 West Bowling 18
Hornets. T – McCourt 2, Caddy, Curwen 2, Holgate, King; G – Curwen 4
Bowling. T – Rushforth, Light, Galtress; G – Cole 3
Division One:
Clock Face Miners 20 Skirlaugh 12
Miners. T – Hughes, J Jones, Price 2; G – Geraghty 2
Skirlaugh. T – Oliver, Thompson; G – Gilbey 2
Dewsbury Moor Maroons 24 Wigan St Patricks 6
Maroons. T – Clarkson 2, Berry, A James, Burland; G – Woodcock 2
Pats. T – Ryding; G – O’Donnell
Ince Rose Bridge 18 Crosfields 24
Bridge. T – K Eccleston, Penny, P Valentine; G – R Valentine 3
Soap. T – Walker, Taylor, Holliday, Steele, Brown; G – Taylor, Stanway
Oulton Raiders 30 Stanningley 18
Raiders. T – Holdsworth, Powell, Lowry, Brown, Watson, Blagg; G – Walpole 3
Stanningley. T – Salkeld, Shires, Phipps; G – Taylor 3
Waterhead Warriors 26 Leigh Miners Rangers 16
Warriors. T – Dodd, Brennan, Lynch, Bridge, Fogarty; G – Brennan 3
Miners. T – Ashworth, Lancelot, Hamer; G – Hoyles 2
Woolston Rovers 34 Hull Dockers 28
Rovers. T – Phillips, A Files, Dixon, H Files 3; G – Lawton 5
Dockers. T – C Heil, Platt, Suddaby, Thompson, Harrison; G – Suddaby 4
Division Two:
Barrow Island 18 Normanton Knights 16
Island. T – Anderson-Moore, C McBain, Ford; G – S Jones 3
Knights. T – Barker, Joe Crossland, Hinchcliffe; G – Hinchcliffe 2
Ellenborough Rangers 36 Pilkington Recs 6
Rangers. T – Z Olstrom 2, Bell, Todd 3; G – Mumberson 6
Recs. T – Morris; G – O’Connell
Millom 12 Dewsbury Celtic 4
Woolybacks. T – Lupton, O’Brien; G – Evans 2
Celtic. T - Kelly
Oldham St Annes 14 Shaw Cross Sharks 24
Saints. T – Akeroyd, Fletcher, Pogson; G - Pogson
Sharks. T – Frain, Tomlinson, French, Murray; G – Tomlinson 3, Stephenson
Saddleworth Rangers 18 Wigan St Judes 20
Rangers. T – Kenway, Charles, Taylor; G – McManus 3
Judes. T – Kneafcy, Turner, Parkinson, Palmer; G – Cassidy 2
Thornhill Trojans 30 Myton Warriors 14
Trojans. T – Craven, Pritchard 2, R Ward 2; G – Gibson 5
Warriors. T – Robinson 2, Brooke; G - Sanderson
Division Three:
Bentley 20 Featherstone Lions 16
Bentley. T – R Craswell, Seaman 2, Harmer; G – R Craswell, Sykes
Lions. T – Bell 2, Mountain; G – Johnson 2
Distington 22 Beverley 26
Distington. T – Rooke, Speight, Penrice; G – George 5
Beverley. T – Burnett 3, Rowan, Matthews; G – J Poskitt 3
Milford 12 Drighlington 26
Milford. T – Clarke, Wilson; G – Payne 2
Drighlington. T – J Sanderson, Blake, E Hallas, Wright; G – J Sanderson 5
Seaton Rangers 6 Leigh East 28
Rangers. T – Curwen; G - Bryan
East. T – Prescott 2, Ball 2, Grainey; G – Aspinall 3, Prescott
There are no fixtures at the weekend due to the Easter holidays.
The next round of fixtures will be on Saturday 6 April 2024.
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: Thornhill Trojans
