Friday night at Shark Park brought more NCRL action as Shaw Cross Sharks hosted East Leeds in a warm West Yorkshire derby. With just eleven miles between them and a single point separating the sides in the Division One table before kick off, both teams are right in the mix for a play off spot, and they served up a real scrap.
Both sides threw themselves into it early, and it was East Leeds who struck first. Hooker Joey Clarkson spotted a chance from dummy half and forced the ball down, with Roy Railton adding the goal after ten minutes. Shaw Cross responded well. Running halfbacks Jude Toulson and Evan Stephenson kept asking questions, and when Stephenson darted through on 16 minutes he found enough space to get over by the posts and convert.
The Sharks built more pressure after Cooper Magann was awarded a penalty, but East Leeds held firm. The visitors then enjoyed their own spell and made it count after 25 minutes when second rower Isaac Coleman powered through for their second try. It was too far out for prop Railton to convert, but East Leeds had their noses in front.
Things stayed tight until just before the break. Stephenson spied a chance, put a kick to the corner and Ben Land beat opposite winger Ajay Wilson to the ball, grounding well. Stephenson added the goal to give Shaw Cross a narrow 12–10 lead at half time.
East Leeds came out with more possession and territory in the early stages of the second half, and they were rewarded on 52 minutes. Kane Riley, who had switched from halfback to hooker and looked dangerous every time he picked up, burrowed over by the posts despite a crowd of bodies. Railton’s conversion swung it back to 12–16.
At times East Leeds looked a bit laboured with only one recognised half, and Shaw Cross took advantage. Jack Toulson jinked into a gap on 62 minutes, his quick feet taking him over the line. Stephenson nudged the Sharks back in front at 18–16 with his third goal.
Two yellow cards followed. Sharks winger Sam Busfield was binned for a professional foul, and a couple of minutes later East Leeds forward Ryan Woofitt joined him for dangerous contact. Both sides had chances as the game moved into the final ten minutes, but it was East Leeds who found the decisive moment.
Riley, sharp and alert again around the ruck, spotted tired markers after East Leeds targeted the middle. He darted from dummy half to grab his second try. Railton added his third goal, and East Leeds held out to claim an important win, backing up their impressive draw against Dewsbury Celtic the week before.
A proper Friday night battle, and East Leeds just had that extra when it mattered.
Full-time: Shaw Cross Sharks 18 East Leeds 22
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am Community RL
