Ten try St Judes win derby at Pilkington Recs - Match Report:
Wigan St Judes have made a great start to the season and this continued on Saturday when they travelled over to Ruskin Drive to face Pilkington Recs.
In contrast, the Recs have endured a difficult run with only one win from their first seven games and for a time this was competitive.
Joey Brady opened scoring for the visitors, thrice kicking forward after the hosts had fumbled thirty metres from Judes line and Danny Cassidy kicked the first of eight goals. Recs collected their thoughts and struck right back when Tom Connick broke through from close range and finished under the posts for Kyran Knapper to draw things level with the conversion in the fifth minute.
The visitors stepped things up and three tries in thirteen minutes put them in command. England Community Lions open-age player Connor Parkinson was a threat throughout and scored the first of his two tries after 12 minutes before former Widnes Super League hooker Jacob Dugdale added his name to the score sheet five minutes later.
Jon Keys was then sinbinned for a hip drop and the short-handed hosts shipped more points. A sweeping run and pass from Parkinson created an overlap and Lewis Melling touched down before youngster Brogan Turner added the first of an eventual hat-trick. Parkinson's second score and Cassidy's fifth goal opened a 34-6 advantage but Judes had the final say of the first half when Cassidy turned try scorer and converted before the whistle to ensure a 40-6 half-time advantage.
The second half was much improved for the hosts, with experienced heads Knapper, Connick, Keys and Andy Morris well to the fore. Recs went close to adding to their tally on several occasions only to be turned away by a well-marshalled Judes defence. Cassidy and Parkinson broke away after 47 minutes for Turner to claim his second before Brady cut back inside at an angle that took him past three defenders to score his second after 57 minutes and Cassidy's goal took the visitors to fifty points.
Pilks' defiance frustrated Wigan St Judes who had to be patient before scoring their tenth and final try of the contest when Turner completed his treble and Cassidy finished his twenty-point haul with his eighth goal.
This sixth win of the campaign moved Judes to the summit of Division Two ahead of unbeaten Shaw Cross Sharks on points difference while little separates third and ninth spot on the league ladder.
National Conference League Round 7 Round Up:
In the Premier Division, York Acorn asserted their dominance with a resounding 56-16 victory over Thatto Heath Crusaders. Siddal and Wath Brow Hornets battled fiercely, with Siddal edging out a 26-18 win. Rochdale Mayfield showcased their defensive prowess, allowing only one try against them in a 34-4 triumph over Egremont Rangers.
Lock Lane and West Bowling had a competitive tussle, with Lock Lane securing their first win of the season by 30-18 while Kells succumbed to West Hull, who put on a strong display to win 30-6.
Lastly, Hunslet ARLFC continued their impressive form by overcoming Heworth with a 26-12 scoreline. Hunslet ARLFC lead the pack, closely followed by West Hull and Siddal, all vying for supremacy. Rochdale Mayfield’s victories have placed them comfortably in the top four, while York Acorn’s recent performances are a testament to their rising form.
The results from the other divisions also reflect the intense competition and the drive teams have to ascend the ranks.
In Division One, Leigh Miners Rangers, Wigan St Patricks, and Ince Rose Bridge all secured crucial wins.
Elsewhere in Division Two there was a remarkable performance from Oldham St Annes and Shaw Cross won a Normanton, while the stand out result in Division Three highlighted Drighlington’s scoring prowess.
Results (20 April 2024):
Premier Division:
York Acorn 56 16 Thatto Heath Crusaders
Siddal 26 18 Wath Brow Hornets
Rochdale Mayfield 34 4 Egremont Rangers
Lock Lane 30 18 West Bowling
Kells 6 30 West Hull
Hunslet ARLFC 26 12 Heworth
Division One:
Woolston Rovers 20 34 Leigh Miners Rangers
Wigan St Patricks 38 18 Stanningley
Skirlaugh 20 38 Ince Rose Bridge
Oulton Raiders 34 22 Waterhead Warriors
Hull Dockers 20 22 Crosfields
Division Two:
Pilkington Recs 6 56 Wigan St Judes
Oldham St Annes 60 12 Myton Warriors
Normanton Knights 20 42 Shaw Cross Sharks
Millom 20 22 Thornhill Trojans
Ellenborough 26 18 Dewsbury Celtic
Barrow Island 28 24 Saddleworth Rangers
Division Three:
Seaton Rangers 12 16 Distington
Leigh East 26 30 Beverley
Featherstone Lions 6 76 Drighlington
East Leeds 28 18 Hensingham
Upcoming fixtures (26-28 April 2024):
Premier Division:
West Bowling v York Acorn
Lock Lane v Siddal
Heworth v Kells
Division One:
Hull Dockers v Clock Face Miners
Division Two:
Saddleworth Rangers v Thornhill Trojans
Shaw Cross Sharks v Barrow Island
Division Three:
East Leeds v Drighlington
Bentley v Milford
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: Pilkington Recs
