Kells’ 34-4 win at Wigan St Pats in Division One wasn’t entirely the stroll that the scoreline suggests. It was earned through graft in the middle, patience, good defensive communication, and a second half shift that took the game away from their hosts. Few embodied that ethos more than try scoring prop Will Ennis, who put in the kind of honest, hard working performance that set the tone for everyone around him.
“They came hard, really, in the first half,” Ennis said afterwards. “It was ground out. But then we played some nice rugby in the second half. Good win.”
The turning point came just after the break. Pats crossed early, threatening a comeback and giving the home crowd something to roar about. For a moment, the game was back in the balance. But Kells didn’t panic. They tightened up, trusted their systems, and hit straight back with back to back tries that effectively put the contest to bed.
“We stuck to our shape really well,” Ennis said. “We’ve built it up in pre season and we’re starting to see the benefits now. Every week we’re getting better.”
That shape, and the discipline to stay with it, allowed Kells’ spine to take control. The middles laid the platform, the halves and fullback combined sharply, and the ball began to move with real purpose, especially out wide where the tries flowed.
But the story of this Kells side isn’t just structure. It’s youth. It’s the conveyor belt. It’s the next generation stepping in with confidence.
“We’ve got some really good young lads coming through,” Ennis said. “A lot were playing in the first team today and there’s a lot in the second team as well. Hopefully we can stick at it and we’ll see it in the future.”
Kells have always been strongest when built on their own, as Ennis knows only too well having been a product of the club. “Local lads coming through — that’s always the way. Build it right through youth.” He added.
Next week brings another tough assignment: Stanningley away, a place Ennis knows well.
“Every time we go down there it’s always been a hard game,” he said. “But we’re looking forward to it.”
If Kells carry this blend of grit and performance to Leeds, they’ll be a handful for anyone.
National Leagues Round Up | Round 6 – Saturday 18 April
In the Premier Division, West Bowling produced one of the performances of the season, dismantling Heworth 44–6 after storming into a 28–0 half time lead. Lumb and Taylor each crossed twice as Bowling controlled every department. Hunslet ARLFC strengthened their title push with a composed 26–16 win over Wath Brow Hornets, built on a McLelland hat trick and Heckford’s steady boot.
West Hull stayed unbeaten with a 30–4 victory at Lock Lane, though the hosts pushed them hard in the first half before the champions’ depth told. The day’s biggest score came at Siddal, who ran riot in an extraordinary 82–1 win over Rochdale Mayfield, with Williams and Turner both grabbing hat tricks to catapult the Halifax side to fourth.
Waterhead Warriors continued their impressive form, pulling away from Wigan St Judes to win 40–14, while Thatto Heath Crusaders earned a solid 28–10 victory at York Acorn, with Saunders’ brace proving decisive.
In Division One, Dewsbury Celtic were unstoppable, hammering Pilkington Recs 76–0 in a ruthless display. East Leeds edged a thriller 22–20 against Stanningley, while Egremont Rangers held off Oulton to win 34–26. Dewsbury Moor Maroons continued their strong start with a 22–10 win at Oldham St Annes, Shaw Cross Sharks impressed again in a 36–12 victory over Leigh Miners, and Kells rounded off the day with a convincing 34–4 win at Wigan St Patricks.
The regional conferences were also lively.
In Cumbria, Barrow Island and Dalton both posted big wins, while Hensingham edged a gritty contest with Millom. Maryport claimed a morale boosting 22–18 victory over Distington.
The North West saw Orrell St James run riot at Leigh East, Saddleworth edge Woolston in a 40–36 classic, and Blackbrook continue their steady climb with a 32–12 win over Ashton Bears.
Down south, Hammersmith Hill Hoists were in ruthless form, putting 50 past Eastern Rhinos, while Bedford Tigers won a 52–34 shootout with Bristol All Golds. Two fixtures fell victim to postponements.
In Yorkshire A, Stanley Rangers, Thornhill Trojans and Bradford Dudley Hill all claimed strong wins, while Keighley Albion impressed in a 34–24 victory at Beverley.
Yorkshire B delivered points galore: Newsome Panthers smashed Normanton 76–4, Fryston powered past Kippax, and Skirlaugh edged Featherstone Lions 26–18. Bentley and Milford also picked up valuable wins.
National Leagues Results – Saturday 18 April
Premier Division
Heworth 6–44 West Bowling
Hunslet ARLFC 26–16 Wath Brow Hornets
Lock Lane 4–30 West Hull
Siddal 82–1 Rochdale Mayfield
Waterhead Warriors 40–14 Wigan St Judes
York Acorn 10–28 Thatto Heath Crusaders
Division One
Dewsbury Celtic 76–0 Pilkington Recs
East Leeds 22–20 Stanningley
Egremont Rangers 34–26 Oulton Raiders
Oldham St Annes 10–22 Dewsbury Moor Maroons
Shaw Cross Sharks 36–12 Leigh Miners Rangers
Wigan St Patricks 4–34 Kells
CONFERENCE REGIONS
Cumbria Conference
Ulverston 18–50 Dalton
Barrow Island 64–10 Seaton Rangers
Hensingham 28–18 Millom
Hindpool Tigers 22–50 Ellenborough Rangers
Maryport 22–18 Distington
North West Conference
Blackbrook 32–12 Ashton Bears
Clock Face Miners 22-42 Crosfields
Leigh East 6–54 Orrell St James
Saddleworth Rangers 40–36 Woolston Rovers
Southern Conference
Eastern Rhinos 14–50 Hammersmith Hill Hoists
London Chargers v Brentwood Eels – postponed
North Herts Crusaders v Wests Warriors – postponed
Yorkshire A Conference
Beverley 24–34 Keighley Albion
Drighlington 6–18 Thornhill Trojans
Mirfield Spartans v King Cross Park – postponed
Moldgreen 34–8 Stanley Rangers
Myton Warriors 20–32 Bradford Dudley Hill
Yorkshire B Conference
Bentley ARLFC 18–10 Siddal Academy
Hull Dockers 10–24 Milford Marlins
Kippax Welfare 18–36 Fryston Warriors
Newsome Panthers ARLFC 76–4 Normanton Knights
Skirlaugh 26–18 Featherstone Lions ARLFC
Sunday 19 April
Southern Conference
Bristol All Golds 34–52 Bedford Tigers
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro-Am Community RL
Find out the full fixtures for the National Leagues here.
